Open Finder selection
Opens whatever is selected in the Finder, optionally with a chosen app.
Open the Finder selection in app
Keyboard Maestro: OpenFinderSelection
Details #
Reads the items currently selected in the Finder and opens them, the same as pressing ⌘O on them. With app, they open in that app instead of their default one.
app can be an app's name (TextEdit) or its bundle identifier (com.apple.TextEdit). A value that contains a dot, has no spaces and does not end in .app is treated as a bundle identifier. Anything else is treated as a name.
The output is the number of items opened.
Parameters #
| Parameter | Type | Required | Values | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
app | text | The app to open the items with. Leave it empty or out to use each item's default app. |
Every step also accepts label, onFailure, timeout and dryRunSafe.
Examples #
Open the selected files in TextEdit. This really opens them:
- Open the Finder selection in TextEdit
Gotchas #
With nothing selected the step fails with "nothing is selected in the Finder".
The selection is read from the Finder with a script. The first time, macOS asks whether Switchboard Engine may control Finder. If you decline, the step fails and names the Automation pane in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
It reads the selection of the Finder, not of whichever app is in front. Use it when the Finder is the front app, for example from a macro run by a hot key in the Finder.
In a dry run the step is simulated.