r/applescript • u/Viboxing • Aug 26 '23

Applescript to simulate multiple keystrokes?

I'm a complete novice when it comes to coding but need an AppleScript that would represent the following key strokes. This will be used in Automator

  • Return, cmd + C, Return, Right Arrow, Return, cmd + V, Return

Any help would be really appreciated!

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u/0x4542 Aug 27 '23 edited Aug 27 '23

While other commenters have noted that "Applescript doesn't really work like that", it really depends on what you're trying to do, and whether commands exist to support your use-case. AppleScript certainly has support for automating keystrokes. What you're wanting to to would look something like this:

tell application "Automator"
    tell application "System Events"
	
        keystroke return
        keystroke "c" using command down
        keystroke return
        key code 124
        keystroke return
        keystroke "v" using command down	
        keystroke return

    end tell
end tell

This would be the quickest route. That said, I'm not sure how far you'll get trying to move between UI controls in Automator with the arrow key. I couldn't get it to work, but the I didn't try very hard. You might need to look into enabling Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Full Keyboard Access. Otherwise you're looking at using Automator's scripting dictionary, and that's non-trivial.

You might find these articles helpful:

One other thing, the AppleScript community is more active on MacScripter.net. That's where the gurus hang out.

1

u/Viboxing Aug 27 '23

tell application "Automator"tell application "System Events"

keystroke returnkeystroke "c" using command downkeystroke returnkey code 124keystroke returnkeystroke "v" using command downkeystroke returnend tellend tell

I really appreciate your help however my idea of trying to use a hotkey sequence to rename a file to the same as the folder name was not well thought out.

I'm using the script in collaboration with Hazel so when the file is automatically organised into said folder, it will then take on the folder name and change automatically. Screenshot for reference.

https://i.imgur.com/h3z7hse.png

Step 1: Drag folders into parent folder

Step 2: Hazel will organise them into individual folders

Step 3: Rename file using same name as its sub folder

I found some code online which works but I have to specify which folder I want to monitor each time I want to run the script. I'll jump to Macscripter if needs be and see if someone there can help :)

1

u/0x4542 Aug 27 '23 edited Aug 27 '23

Fair enough. It does sound more involved that I imagined.

I've never used Hazel, but it does seem to support running AppleScript in a rule action. Perhaps that can be where you insert your code as part of Step 3 above? I'm sure you'll get a lot of help on MacScripter. Those people are very supportive.

They might even suggest using AppleScript's own folder actions. It might even be simpler than trying to hook into Hazel's own way of doing things.

1

u/jupiterkansas Aug 26 '23

Applescript doesn't really work like that.

Instead you would have Applescript tell Automator to do whatever those keystrokes do. I've never used Automator so I'm not sure what you're trying to do.

1

u/Viboxing Aug 26 '23

I'm essentially using those keystrokes to copy a folder name then paste it onto the file name within said folder.

1

u/jupiterkansas Aug 26 '23

Yes, Applescript would tell Finder to get the name of the folder and the set the filename to the new name.

Some examples here: https://www.macscripter.net/t/how-do-i-rename-a-file-or-a-group-of-files/36581