A workflow that search a given folder for files with a particular content?

[vamp07]

Hi, before I go down the rabbit hole, is it possible to build a workflow that will search a given folder for files that contain a given Content? I know searching file names is easy but is file content even possible with Alfred?

[Stephen_C]

Take a look at this Alfred help page about file search—in particular about the ability to use the in keyword to search inside the content of files.

 

You can limit the scope of a file search as you wish: take a look at the help page on the File Filter Input.

 

If you have problems setting up the workflow just post again and someone will help.

 

Stephen

[vamp07]

That helped. Got it working but I think I need to scroll and see a preview of everything found. I was kind of looking to get the equivalent of a finder search where I can then scroll through the preview. Maybe I'm trying to do something that alfred is not really meant for?

[Stephen_C]

You could add to the workflow an Automation Task set to Read File Contents (assuming we're talking about text files) linked to a Copy to Clipboard action and then browse using Alfred's clipboard viewer. I appreciate that's not exactly what you want but it may help to point the way to some workable solution for you.

 

Edit: You could instead of the clipboard action add an Action in Alfred action, set Jump to… to Open with… and connect that to the Quicklook app.

Edit 2: Ignore the last idea: it appears not to work: sorry.

 

Stephen

Edited February 18, 2023 by Stephen_C
Additional idea

[vitor]

You can Quick Look directly from Alfred. You can even press the arrow keys to navigate through results while keeping Quick Look open.

[vamp07]

20 hours ago, vitor said:

You can Quick Look directly from Alfred. You can even press the arrow keys to navigate through results while keeping Quick Look open.

 

 

That's what I was looking for. Thanks!!!!

[vamp07]

In Alfred can I search for files that contain both x AND Y? I'm looking through the help but if such a basic question has an answer I can't find it. 

[Stephen_C]

Have you tried typing in word1 word2?

 

Stephen

 

 

[vamp07]

I just did and it works but it does not seem to work in a file filter workflow.

[vitor]

Try adding a kMDItemTextContent (Click the [+]) in the Fields tab.

[TomBenz]

@vitor I use this and can locate content within a folder. It works well.

 

Is it possible to do the exact search while looking for file content? How can one achieve this? 

[vamp07]

8 hours ago, vitor said:

Try adding a kMDItemTextContent (Click the [+]) in the Fields tab.

 

 

I already had it. The problem is that with file filter workflows, using two search words does not seem to work. I don't need to add in because it's already implied, I think.

[vamp07]

Oh... never mind. I did not have split turned on for content. 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by vamp07