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--- action:Activate_a_Specific_Application [2020/09/13 04:16] – Major rewrite; Add screenshot, steps to use, alternate methods JMichaelTX
+++ action:Activate_a_Specific_Application [2023/09/15 08:46] (current) – peternlewis
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 This action switches to, and launches if necessary, the specified application.  It is the equivalent of using the macOS App Switcher, or launching the application by any means.
+{{ activate-a-specific-application-action.png?nolink&634x539 | Activate a Specific Application Action }}
 ===== How To Use =====
-{{ :action:activate-app-action-km9.png?500|}}
-  - **Select the App from the "Activate:" Popup**\\
+  - **Select the App from the "Activate:" Popup**
   - **In the same Popup, choose how to identify the app**: (v9.0+)
      * Match Using Default (first by path, then by Bundle ID if needed)
      * Match Only by Path
-     * Match Only by Bundle ID\\
+     * Match Only by Bundle ID
   - **Check the Options To Use**
     * Check to Show all windows or Unchecked to show only the FrontMost Window
     * Reopen the app's initial window(s)
     * If the application is already at the front, you can choose to
-      * leave it there,
+      * leave it there.
-      * or hide
-      * or quit it,
       * or switch to the previous application.
+      * or bring its windows to the front.
+      * or reopen its initial windows.
+      * or hide it.
+      * or hide other applications.
+      * or quit it.
-===== Activating App By Variable =====
+===== Activating an Application by Variable =====
-This Action requires that you select the App during Macro design, and you cannot use a Variable for the name.\\
+This Action requires that you select the App during Macro design, and you cannot use a Variable for the name.
-However, there are two alternatives that will allow you to use a Variable for the App Name:
+However, there are several alternatives that will allow you to use a Variable for the App Name:
   - **[[action:Use_Variable|Use Variable]]** to set the Frontmost App.  This will have the same effect as Activating the app.
   - **[Activate Application by Name String -- Custom PlugIn](https://forum.keyboardmaestro.com/t/activate-application-by-name-string/1806)** -- A third-party custom PlugIn that will allow you to set the application by its name in a Variable.
+  - Use the `open` shell command with the [[action:Execute_a_Shell_Script|Execute a Shell Script]] action.
+  - Use the [[action:Open_a_File_Folder_or_Application|Open an Application]] action with a variable path.
 ===== See Also =====