How to Count the Words in the First Line of Text in the Clipboard?

Questions & Suggestions
1

I am trying to count the number of words in the first line of the clipboard (there are always multiple lines) up to a ":". I think begins as a regex question but I am not sure where to start. Typically, there are 2 or 3 words, a colon, and then some more text. I just need to know how many words come before the colon.

If I can get the text before the colon into a variable, I know I can filter the variable with a word count. But how to select all the text before the variable in the first line?

3

I am getting closer. On regex101.com, this expression will capture everything on the first line up to the colon:
^.*?(?=:)

Unfortunately, KM is not returning anything with that expression.

4

Hi Heather, try out this macro to see if it works for you.

-Chris

Macro screenshot (click to expand/collapse)

macro image
macro image1408×2280 168 KB

Count words behind first colon on first line of clipboard.kmmacros (4.2 KB)

5

ss-601

6

Eureka! It works! Thank you.

The RegEx expression ^(.*): did the trick.

One of my goals this year was to learn RegEx. It has been a deeply rewarding experience. Each time I think of a new way to try and use it, I am amazed at what it can do.

7

Outstanding! You‘re very welcome. I have spent the better part of this last year really delving into RegEx and it has proven extremely useful.

As you‘re probably aware, you can use RegEx as a trigger for Keyboard Maestro macros. :wink:

-Chris

8

(Puts on "Regex Party Pooper" hat.)

Because you want "all the text up to the first :" (and assuming there always is a :) you can split the text on the : character, get the first "bit", and count the words in that.

Words Before First Colon.kmmacros (1.7 KB)

Words Before First Colon
Words Before First Colon1068×1162 141 KB

It looks complicated because it's all being done in one line, but breaking it down:

  • Split the System Clipboard on : and get the first item: %SystemClipboard[1]:% -- you can read more about "Variable Arrays" here
  • Use the WORDS() function to get the number of words in the first item: WORDS(%SystemClipboard[1]:%) -- more about functions here
  • Because we're using a function in a text field we have to wrap it in a %Caculate% token: %Calculate%WORDS(%SystemClipboard[1]:%)% -- more about the Calculate token here
3 Likes
9

This'll break if there's more than one : in the line -- since we only want the first, try a non-greedy match: ^(.*?):

(Which is what you call "learning from your own embarrassing mistakes" :wink: And what's the betting I've made another one here?)

2 Likes
10

I like it! I am assuming there is only one colon per line since she mentioned “text... a colon... and some more text”, but it makes sense to use a non-greedy match anyway.