Help making a Workflow that switches apps and pastes text

[JGC]

Is it possible to create a workflow in Alfred that does the following?  

- Copy selected text to clipboard

- Switch to last used app

- Paste text from clipboard

- Switch back to the first app

 

This is an action I've realised I do lots of times a day. If it isn't possible, and I suspect it isn't in Alfred, has anyone come across a different app that can do this?

Many thanks.

Edited August 1, 2018 by vitor
Moved title to post content

[vitor]

When making a post, please always make a descriptive title.

What you wish to accomplish can be boiled down to a series of keyboard shortcuts: ⌘C, ⌘⇥, ⌘V, ⌘⇥. While it’d be better do to it programatically, I’m not certain if Apple gives us easy access to the order of open apps. If you always do this operation with the same two apps, then that’d be helpful information and we could do something better.

Otherwise, check Hotkey Triggers to start the Workflow with the selection, the Dispatch Key Combo Output to press the keys, the Delay Utility so things don’t fire too quickly (an unfortunate effect of GUI scripting) and the Copy to Clipboard Output to paste.

It’ll also work if you just chain a bunch of Dispatch Key Combo Output and Delay Utility, though.

[JGC]

Thanks, @vitor. The problem is that ⌘⇥ can't be issued by the 'Key Combo' action. I can't see an action that can do this, but perhaps there's a 'System Command' or AppleScript that can do it?

[vitor]

21 minutes ago, JGC said:

or AppleScript that can do it?

 

tell application "System Events" to key code 48 using {command down}

[JGC]

Thanks so much, @vitor. I've implemented that, including one second delays, and it works on my laptop (though for some reason not on my MacMini yet). Posting screenshot of it here in case others can use it.

[CJK]

@JGC, is there a specific reason you've used Run NSAppleScript actions instead of Run Script ?  If not, the latter is the one you want.

[JGC]

No reason, other than someone else suggested it. What's the reason for favouring 'Run Script'?

[dfay]

It runs on a separate thread in the background.