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.
Thanks, that works perfectly in Leopard as well