How can I copy text to the clipboard in an Automator JavaScript?

Question

I am writing a simple Automator script in JavaScript (because I’m much more productive in JavaScript). For testing purposes, I simply eval() the input.

The script is:


//  Workflow receives current text in any application

function run(input, parameters) {
    //  1+2*3
    
    var app = Application.currentApplication()
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true
    
//  app.displayDialog(input)
//  app.displayDialog(input[0])

    result = eval(input[0]) || 0;
    
    app.displayDialog(result)
    app.setTheClipboardTo(result)
    
    return result
}

//  Copy to Clipboard

I would like to get the result onto the clipboard. As you see above, I have applied the setTheClipboardTo() function.

The Workflow receives the current text.

I have also added the Copy to Clipboard action to the end.

I have tried with or without the setTheClipboardTo() function, and with or without the Copy to Clipboard action. The displayed message has the correct result, but I can’t get it to the clipboard.

have you been looking to [this topic](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/400212/how-do-i-copy-to-the-clipboard-in-javascript)? — woodz, Sep 09 '21 at 09:14
@woodz That’s a very dated question about accessing the clipboard on a web browser. Automator is not a browser, and has a completely different API. — Manngo, Sep 10 '21 at 01:46

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 11 '21 at 07:38

I don’t know what I did wrong before, except possibly adding the action at the end. Here is a version that works:

//  Workflow receives current text in any application
//  Replaces Selection

function run(input, parameters) {
    //  1*2*3*4*5*6+7-8-9
    //  1 2 3
    
    var app = Application.currentApplication();
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true;
    
    //  Filter for eval()
        expression = input[0].replace(/[^0-9 +\-*\/÷×()]/g,'?')

    try {
        result = eval(input[0])*1;
    } catch(e) {
        result = 0
    }
    
    app.setTheClipboardTo(result.toString())
    
    return result
}

How can I copy text to the clipboard in an Automator JavaScript?

1 Answers1