Use current selected file in finder with Alfred.app?

I really use Alfred a lot. I now was just wondering if I can do somethings with the currently selected file in finder (most of the time move it to a folder, create new mail with this as attachment, open with application xyz etc pp). I think Launchbar and Quicksilver had such a feature.

Any hints are welcome!

Nils Riedemann

Posted 2011-01-13T16:14:55.847

Reputation: 327

Alfred is not AppleScriptable, and I didn't find a built-in function or additional hotkey. – Daniel Beck – 2011-02-04T17:42:37.120

You're right, LaunchBar does have a feature that does this, called "Instant Send". (Sorry I don't have an Alfred answer for you.)

– Paul Bissex – 2014-02-12T21:48:41.230

Answers

Indeed there is.

Select the file in Finder
Hold down Command + shift + G

This shortcut can be altered if necessary:

For Version 1: Preferences » Features » File Navigation.
For Version 2: Preferences » Features » File Search » Actions » File Selection

Version 1 Preferences Screen Shot

The available actions for the selected file then shows in Alfred. This is at the moment an advanced feature and thus requires the Powerpack (12 pounds).

Version 1 Act Upon File Screen Shot

varmemester

Posted 2011-01-13T16:14:55.847

Reputation: 126

The layout has now changed. It's available under Features > File Search > Actions at the bottom: File Selection. – Winterflags – 2016-09-10T18:19:09.407

If others search for how to get the selected files as input in an Alfred 2 workflow, you can add a hotkey trigger where the argument is set to "Selection in OS X":

It works with files selected in Finder, Alfred, and other applications. If multiple files are selected, their paths are separated by tabs in {query}. This method can also be used to get plain text selections as input, but there is currently no way to replace the selected text like in Automator.

Lri

Posted 2011-01-13T16:14:55.847

Reputation: 34 501

You can also select the file/folder in Finder, then invoke Alfred, type actions and hit return:

example of Alfred action list for selected Finder item

brandonjp

Posted 2011-01-13T16:14:55.847

Reputation: 1 705

@Form Still only has a hotkey option there. – Steve Moser – 2015-09-11T21:29:21.790

1This option doesn't appear in v2 of Alfred. Any work arounds beside a hotkey? – Steve Moser – 2013-03-27T20:46:27.853

1For the record, in v2 this feature is in Features > File Search > Actions > File Selection. – Form – 2013-07-29T23:58:55.433