The other day I created a simple Automator workflow that copies the full (POSIX) path of a file or folder to the clipboard. It utilizes a little bit of Applescript to get the job done. I created it so I could quickly paste file paths into various coding work I undertake. I thought I’d share it here.
In order to use the workflow, download the Copy Full File Path workflow (Copy_Full_Path.workflow.zip), unzip the downloaded file, then open the workflow up in Automator. In Automator, save the workflow as “Copy Full File Path” (or another name that suits your needs) as a plugin for Finder. After you’ve done this, if you select a file and ctrl-click or right-click to get the context menu, you should see a menu item for ‘Automator’. Select this and an pop-out menu will appear. Select the workflow from the list. The workflow will then be executed and you should be able to paste the full file path into text documents, etc.
This workflow is admittedly rather simple — it can only handle getting the full path of one file or folder at a time. If you select multiple files or folders, you’ll get an Applescript error. I’ll have to add additional Applescript, etc., to eliminate this shortcoming. Nonetheless, it’s still helpful given that this functionality is missing by default from Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.x). I’ve only tested this workflow in Tiger. Since Automator was so vastly improved in Mac OS X Leopard (10.5.x), it’s possible that the workflow will fail to work. Please let me know if you have problems with the workflow.
To remove this workflow as a Finder plugin, go to
~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Finder
and delete the file for the workflow.
Update: For Snow Leopard: Mac OS 10.6.x
I’ve updated the workflow to work as a “service” in Snow Leopard. You can download Copy Full Path Finder Service for Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6.x). To run the service, simply unzip the file and place the resulting workflow in the
~/Users/[User]/Library/Services/
folder, where you replace [User] with your user account on the system. The service should now appear in the context menu once you’ve selected a file or folder in Finder. To pull up the context menu, control click or right-click (if you’re using a two buttoned right-handed mouse).
If you have trouble getting the service to work as described above, try opening the unzipped file in Automator and then saving using the “Save As…” from the file menu.
I hope this helps!
Thanks, that works perfectly in Leopard as well
Hi, Everyone!
Unfortunately, in Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6.x), you can’t add the work-flow above as described as a plugin for Finder. When I get a chance, I’m going to look into how to do something similar in Snow Leopard. I find being able to copy the full file path without having to open the “Get Info” pane on a file a nice work-flow enhancement as I do development work (for example, when setting project settings in Flex or Flash Builder). When I’ve created something similar for Snow Leopard, I’ll make an addendum to this post and provide details.
Have a productive day!
Your friend,
M.E.B.
Math T-Shirts
Wow! Thanx! On Leopard we had the option to open in TextEdit the Full File/Folder Path via Finder > Services menu. Now they have taken out of there.
This was very helpful!
Thanks a lot!
Hey, useful post. For using scripts as automator actions in the contextual menu in Snow Leopard, here are some simple instructions:
http://www.reynoldsftw.com/2009/08/automator-and-finder-interactions-in-os-x-10-6/
In short – ‘Services’ is the new mechanism for this. Simply:
Open automator
File -> New -> Service
… configure the action as needed. For instance in this case it would be ‘Service receives selected {files and folders} in {finder}’…
Drag in the script / action into the section below labelled ‘Drag actions or files here to build your workflow’
Save the service with a name you wish to appear in the contextual menu
Your done! Its a lot faster at executing in Snow Leopard as well.
Have fun,