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Import from Clipboard
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 8:40 am
by Dellu
Can you guys help me with applescript to import references from clipboard using Bibtex format?
Assume I have a number of references in the clipboard; they are in bibtex format. I want to hit a keyboard shortcut and simply insert them into my library (or the hit list), without going through the long process of menu navigation.
It seems easy to script. But, I have little experience with Apple-script. I would highly appreciate if any of you guys with some applescript experience can help me.
Re: Import from Clipboard
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:02 pm
by iandol
As far as I can see from the Applescript dictionary, Bookends doesn't offer a method to import from the clipboard via applescript (maybe I'm wrong or there is a trick). One solution is to use UI scripting: this triggers keystrokes etc. but is a bit kludgey and prone to occasional failure. This simple script should activate bookends, then press the key to call up the import dialog, then press enter. It assumes the settings in that dialog are already set up.
Code: Select all
#!/usr/bin/osascript
tell application "Bookends"
activate
delay 0.1
end tell
tell application "System Events"
keystroke "i" using {command down, shift down}
delay 0.9
keystroke return
end tell
BUT, what if the settings are not correct in the dialog? Then complexity escalates:
https://dougscripts.com/itunes/2021/04/ ... scripting/
https://pfiddlesoft.com/uibrowser/
You should be able to simulate clicking the settings, but you'll need to test how it works...
Re: Import from Clipboard
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:37 pm
by Dellu
Dear @iandol,
Thank you so much. This is very useful. I will check the settings before I import.
Thank you!
Re: Import from Clipboard
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 6:15 am
by iandol
Here is a version which selects the options in the dialog:
Code: Select all
tell application "Bookends"
activate
delay 0.1
end tell
tell application "System Events"
tell application process "Bookends"
click menu item "From File or Clipboard…" of menu 1 of menu item "Import References" of menu 1 of menu bar item "File" of menu bar 1
delay 0.1
tell pop up button 1 of window "Import References"
click
delay 0.2
click menu item "BibTeX.fltr" of menu 1
end tell
delay 0.1
set theCheckbox to checkbox "Import to Hits List" of window "Import References"
if value of theCheckbox is 0 then click theCheckbox
click radio button "clipboard" of window "Import References"
delay 0.1
click button "OK" of window "Import References"
end tell
end tell
Re: Import from Clipboard
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 6:33 am
by Dellu
This is exactly what I have been looking for.
This is really great: fully automated.
Thank you so much