Wildcard in Multiple Files action?

[dhjdhj]

I want to be able to open all the PowerPoint files in a particular directory. As I create new files, I'd like those to be opened as when. Right now it seems I have to specify each file explicitly in the Multiple Files action.

 

I realize I could just write a bash script and invoke that but it seems like a wild card specifier would be very helpful, particularly for people who don't know (nor care about) how to write scripts

[jdfwarrior]

I want to be able to open all the PowerPoint files in a particular directory. As I create new files, I'd like those to be opened as when. Right now it seems I have to specify each file explicitly in the Multiple Files action.

 

I realize I could just write a bash script and invoke that but it seems like a wild card specifier would be very helpful, particularly for people who don't know (nor care about) how to write scripts

 

By the Multiple Files action are you referring to the File Buffer? If not, are you familiar with that feature in Alfred? If it is the buffer you are trying to avoid, since all you're wanting to do is open them, you could config alfred to do that with a modified key. In Alfred's Advanced preferences, on the right side you have the option to set what happens when you press return with several of the modifier keys. One of these options is "Action visible results".  This would allow you to use the wildcard and just press (for example, ctrl+return) and have it open all visible files in the result list.

[dhjdhj]

I wasn't aware of the File Buffer but I don't think that would help me as it sounds like I would have to first manually select the files of interest through the Finder. Those files are in a deeply nested folder and the point is to not have to navigate to that folder.

I just wrote a trivial bash script, i.e.,

/user/bin/open /path/to/*.pptx

which I can trigger but it would have been nice if I could have used the Launch App/Files action with a wildcard.

[jdfwarrior]

I wasn't aware of the File Buffer but I don't think that would help me as it sounds like I would have to first manually select the files of interest through the Finder. Those files are in a deeply nested folder and the point is to not have to navigate to that folder.

I just wrote a trivial bash script, i.e.,

/user/bin/open /path/to/*.pptx

which I can trigger but it would have been nice if I could have used the Launch App/Files action with a wildcard.

 

If it's a constant folder, that is a simple way to accomplish the task. If the folder changes, you could make a result action to do something similar for any folder and it not be hard coded. You could always use the method I described earlier as well and use the mod key and have a file filter to show all files within that specific folder

[dhjdhj]

I don't understand --- the script is a simple way to do it no matter how many files there are.

 

I guess I don't understand your statement   "action visible results"

 

How is that visible list created in your scenario? It sounded like I would have to actually open the Finder to the folder that contains the files and select them--- which is precisely what I DON'T want to have to do.

[jdfwarrior]

I don't understand --- the script is a simple way to do it no matter how many files there are.

 

I guess I don't understand your statement   "action visible results"

 

How is that visible list created in your scenario? It sounded like I would have to actually open the Finder to the folder that contains the files and select them--- which is precisely what I DON'T want to have to do.

 

You can set Alfred to have a configured modifier key to "action visible results". This will allow you to, when searching/filtering files, you can perform the default action on all files currently listed in the results list. So, an example, say I pop up Alfred and type 'resume. The ' would initiate a file search and say that there are 5 files that are matched results. If I had the modifier key (ctrl + return) set to action visible results, pressing that hotkey would open all 5 of the files that matched the search.

[dhjdhj]

Got it --- thanks for taking the time to explain it better.

That's a nice feature but it adds an extra step. I still think it would be better to allow the "Launch Apps/Files" to take wildcards. Actually even better would be to allow regex specification!