Tip: Fixing a macro with an action that cannot be edited (ActionListDisclosed)

Questions & Suggestions
1

While I was tidying up a macro just now, something strange happened to the group action containing six comment actions: it was no longer possible to access those actions. The group seemed to be sealed.

I copied that group action to a new macro. The issue remained. I then exported that macro and opened it in a text editor. A likely solution then became apparent: change ActionListDisclosed from "false" to "true". I saved the macro, imported it and the problem was solved.

I wonder whether the "locking" of the group macro was due to a bug or a glitch or something that I had set off accidentally!

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		<array>
			<dict>
				<key>Actions</key>
				<array>
					<dict>
						<key>ActionColor</key>
						<string>Red</string>
						<key>ActionListDisclosed</key>
						<false/>
						<key>ActionName</key>
						<string>README</string>
						<key>ActionUID</key>
						<integer>16571819</integer>
						<key>Actions</key>
						<array>
2

The disclosure chevron is less visible in the colored action.

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Click the chevron to disclose/undisclose it.

3

Ah, thank you. I hadn't even been aware that there were two ways of collapsing an action.

What is the point of that second chevron? Clicking on it seems to do the same as clicking on the first chevron except that the line "Execute the following actions" is always left visible.

I have just tested on two different Macs, and it seems to me that when an action is coloured red, magenta or purple, the second chevron is invisible except, briefly, when it has been clicked on.

4

I find it handy for "If... Then... Else..." actions, letting me hide the "execute" to look at the "otherwise". For "Switch/Case", letting me check all the cases are covered without worrying about wants happens for each:

image

And a bunch of other places where I want to see more than a "closed" action would show but not everything.

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5

Me too! But it would be really helpful if the disclosure symbol was easier to see when the action color was set.

1 Like
6

I see, thanks. So the presence of the second chevron in the Group action is probably there for consistency rather than utility.

So the chevron is constantly visible for you, even when using red, magenta or purple? :thinking:

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7

If I squint, "yes" with all colors except purple.

With purple, I don't normally use that disclosure so until you asked, I had never noticed that the symbol is not visible. However, based on experience, I know that the disclosure can be done by clicking to the left of the (𝙓 actions).

2 Likes
8

Thanks. I have tried looking again and I can actually discern the chevron for each colour. :microscope:

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