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action:Activate_a_Specific_Application

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action:Activate_a_Specific_Application [2017/03/05 21:39]
peternlewis [Forum]
action:Activate_a_Specific_Application [2023/09/15 04:46] (current)
peternlewis
Line 1: Line 1:
-The *Activate a Specific Application* action switches you to the specified application.+====== ​Activate a Specific Application ​======
  
-You can optionally bring all windows ​to the frontor only one window.  ​You can optionally ask the application ​to open its initial window (eg an Untitled document).+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.
  
-If the application is already at the front, you can choose to leave it there, or hide or quit it, or switch to the previous ​application.+{{ activate-a-specific-application-action.png?​nolink&​634x539 | Activate a Specific Application Action }}
  
-===== See Also ===== 
  
-----+===== How To Use ===== 
 + 
 +  ​**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 
 +  ​**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. 
 +      * 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 an Application by Variable ===== 
 + 
 +This Action requires that you select the App during Macro design, and you cannot use a Variable for the 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 =====
  
 === Actions === === Actions ===
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 * [[token:​LastApplication|%LastApplication%]] * [[token:​LastApplication|%LastApplication%]]
 * [[:​Tokens|See all Tokens]] * [[:​Tokens|See all Tokens]]
- 
----- 
  
 ==== Forum ==== ==== Forum ====
  
 - [[https://​forum.keyboardmaestro.com/​search?​q=Activate%20Specific%20Application|Keyboard Maestro Forum topics about Activate a Specific Application]] - [[https://​forum.keyboardmaestro.com/​search?​q=Activate%20Specific%20Application|Keyboard Maestro Forum topics about Activate a Specific Application]]
action/Activate_a_Specific_Application.1488767976.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/03/05 21:39 by peternlewis