Automate file name search in Finder

[tkbird]

Hello,

When I'm searching in Finder, I nearly always prefer to search for file names, so I use "name:". Is there an easy way to use Automator to auto-populate the search box with this when I go to search, so that I don't have to type it in every time? If it simplifies things, the automation could be restricted to when I use Command-F.

Thanks!

 

[bogdanw]

I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but you can save a search.
“You can save a search to use again. Just click Save below the search field. Your search is saved as a Smart Folder. To be able to quickly access your search in the Finder sidebar, make sure Add To Sidebar is selected.”
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mh15155/mac
Video - Creating Convenient Saved Searches For Your Mac Finder Sidebar
https://macmost.com/creating-convenient-saved-searches-for-your-mac-finder-sidebar.html

 

[tkbird]

Hi @bogdanw, thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, that's not quite what I was going for. However, I did manage to figure this out. I used the AppleScript below in Automator and a keyboard shortcut for Finder in App Shortcuts. For the AppleScript, I identified the correct element in Finder by using Watch Me Do and dragging that into the AppleScript.

set uiScript to "click UI Element 1 of group 3 of tool bar 1 of window 1 of application process \"Finder\""
my doWithTimeout(uiScript)

on doWithTimeout(uiScript)
    set endDate to (current date)
    repeat
        try
            run script "tell application \"System Events\"
                " & uiScript & "
                end tell"
            exit repeat
            on error errorMessage
                if ((current date) > endDate) then
                    error "Can not " & uiScript
                end if
        end try
    end repeat
end doWithTimeout

delay 0.15

tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

 

[bogdanw]

I think you can reduce that AppleScript to just:

tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using command down
delay 0.15
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

 

[tkbird]

Hi @bogdanw, that's a great alternative! I opted for the button click version because I wanted to avoid having the search criterion row appear. I rarely use that, so I prefer to have more results visible instead. That said, if you can simplify my button click script, I'd definitely be interested!
Thanks!

 

[bogdanw]

Try

tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
delay 0.15
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

"Option-Command-F: Go to the search field." https://support.apple.com/HT201236

 

[tkbird]

Try

tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
delay 0.15
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

"Option-Command-F: Go to the search field." https://support.apple.com/HT201236

Awesome, that's a nice improvement!

Do you know of any way to include a flexible delay that waits for the search field to be selected before typing "name:"? My current delay is from trial and error and may not work if my computer is running slowly. Incidentally, I found I need a longer delay with this new version of the script (0.25).

Thanks!

 

[bogdanw]

I don’t know how to make it wait, but here are some suggestions that might speed it up:
- select Workflow receives – no input, instead of Automatic
- try to include telling Finder to activate

tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

or

tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

- settle for delay 0.3

tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
delay 0.3
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

 

[tkbird]

I don’t know how to make it wait, but here are some suggestions that might speed it up:
- select Workflow receives – no input, instead of Automatic
- try to include telling Finder to activate

tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

or

tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

- settle for delay 0.3

tell application "Finder" to activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "f" using {command down, option down}
delay 0.3
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "name:"

Thanks for the ideas! It seems like only the delay works. Oh well, I'm still happy with this end result!