Input a string to application without pasteboard or simulating typing

Question

I need to paste a string of text to whichever application is open, and I'd rather not clear the pasteboard, in case something important is there, and I'd rather not turn every single character into a keyboard event.

Is there another way?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 11 '12 at 04:33

2

You could try using accessibility: https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/Accessibility/cocoaAXIntro/cocoaAXintro.html though it may be overkill.

Another option may be to copy the current contents of the pasteboard to a local variable, replace it with your own string, perform your paste, then restore the original value back to the pasteboard. Depends on what you're trying to do.

answered Apr 11 '12 at 04:33

Jay Wardell

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Thanks. That's also what I was thinking about copying the contents and putting back afterwards. – tsdexter Apr 11 '12 at 04:58

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 11 '12 at 05:13

1

You could provide a service to paste the provided text.

answered Apr 11 '12 at 05:13

Michael J. Barber

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Input a string to application without pasteboard or simulating typing

2 Answers2