Switch to Previous Desktop Space

[_jims]

@August

Unfortunately, there are many ways to change Desktop Spaces, intentionally and unintentionally, without Jim's system, and in those cases, his Previous macro or menu choice won't be what you want it to be. For a simple example, you could be in Acrobat Reader and click on a link inside the PDF. Your default browser will open up a new tab in the most recently used browser window, which may or may not be in that same Desktop Space, and without jumping through hoops before you click on that link, you cannot tell. Suddenly finding yourself in another Desktop Space, of course you will want to return to where you were, and Jim's Previous macro will not be of any help, and if you don't happen to remember, then you have to hunt for it.

Hi @August. Actually with almost all situations, including the one you describe, the macros I provided will properly track the Current and Previous Desktop Space. This is done using the macro Go to Previous Desktop with the trigger: The focused window: The focused window changes

Notice that I said almost all situations. I recommend using the macros Go Left a Desktop, Go Right a Desktop, etc. when doing explicit space changes because this will guarantee that the Current and Previous Desktop Spaces are properly tracked within the logic of the macro set.

From a practical standpoint, I've found that the rare situations that invisibly change the Desktop Space (from the standpoint of the macro set) cause minimal inconvenience. (I use these macros hundreds of times during the typical week.)

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With the above said, my macros could be greatly simplified if @peternlewis was able to add a Space Change trigger to Keyboard Maestro.

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If you are looking to roll your own space change detector, I suggest you consider digging into the WhichSpace code. Obviously the developer, George Christou, has determined a method.