Applescript: Open a Folder in Finder

Question

I m trying to open a folder in Finder using AppleScript. The following is my code. I want the folder WorkSpace to open in Finder, but it opens the Parent Folder /Volumes/MyMacDrive/Mani and highlights the WorkSpace folder. I want the contents of WorkSpace folder, but all I'm getting is its Parent Folder's Contents. What am i missing here ..?

property the_path : "/Volumes/MyMacDrive/Mani/WorkSpace/"
set the_folder to (POSIX file the_path) as alias
tell application "Finder"
    activate
    if window 1 exists then
        set target of window 1 to the_folder
    else
        reveal the_folder
    end if
end tell

Use the `Finder window` class instead of `window` to not have an error if one of these windows is open (information window, preferences window, clipping window and view options window).--> `if Finder window 1 exists then` . The reveal command : Bring the specified object(s) into **view**, use the `open` command as in **adayzdone**'s answer. — jackjr300, Jun 29 '12 at 14:47

score 28 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 12 '16 at 18:41

28

As far as I've searched, there seems to be no way to open the folder rather than just highlighting the folder in AppleScript. So I have used:

do shell script "open /Volumes/MyMacDrive/Mani/WorkSpace/"

It worked fine for me but please update me if i'm wrong.

edited Jan 12 '16 at 18:41

DᴀʀᴛʜVᴀᴅᴇʀ

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answered Jul 19 '12 at 10:05

Manikandaraj Srinivasan

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1

There is no difference between your `do shell script` command and the `open` (not **reveal**) command in the Finder, it works for everyone. But, maybe that's an exception to the rule. – jackjr300 Jul 19 '12 at 13:37
2

For completeness, I'd like to add that if your path is a parameter, you can use `do shell script "open " & quote & pathParameter & quote` and it handles things like spaces in the path. – Tyler Forsythe Dec 13 '13 at 19:22

score 21 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 30 '15 at 18:53

21

It's actually simpler than it seems:

tell application "Finder" to open ("/Volumes/MyMacDrive/Mani/WorkSpace/" as POSIX file)

or use colons to give an AppleScript path:

tell application "Finder" to open "MyMacDrive:Mani:WorkSpace"

with that you have an open window

edited Apr 30 '15 at 18:53

brandonjp

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answered Sep 26 '12 at 16:42

user1700898

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Well, I have use the second one and it did work for me (Mac OS X 10.10.3, AppleScript 2.4). Thank you! – RoberRM May 06 '15 at 22:04
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I had to use something like this (Mojave): `Macintosh HD:Users:MyUser:Downloads`. Replace "MyUser" with the actual name of your user's folder. – StevieD Jan 12 '19 at 14:49

score 5 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 12 '16 at 18:44

5

Try:

if front Finder window exists then
    set target of front Finder window to the_folder
else
    open the_folder
end if

Edited to incorporate jackjr300's correction. Finder window is the correct class to use.

edited Jan 12 '16 at 18:44

DᴀʀᴛʜVᴀᴅᴇʀ

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answered Jun 29 '12 at 12:20

adayzdone

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While this is correct I edited it because it will not work without the `end if` and you will get an error that `the_folder` is not defined. – DᴀʀᴛʜVᴀᴅᴇʀ Jan 12 '16 at 18:03

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 11 '22 at 08:09

0

It worked fine for me and bring the Finder to front.

tell application "Finder"
    activate
    open ("/Users/MYNAME/Desktop/Figma/" as POSIX file)
end tell

I just put it in Shortcuts.

answered Aug 11 '22 at 08:09

Jules

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Applescript: Open a Folder in Finder

4 Answers4

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