A rough-cut request I see from readers , both via email and in theMacworldforums , is for a way to re-create the path of a file cabinet — for example,/System / Library / CoreServices / Menu Extras / Script Menu.menu — to the Clipboard . Perhaps you ’re trying to explain to someone , via e-mail , exactly where a finical file is , or maybe you want to expend that file path in Terminal .
You canviewthe path to the current folder by using the Finder ’s Customize Toolbar command ( under the View menu ) to add the Path detail to Finder toolbars . select this toolbar item displays the path to the current brochure . ( you could regard a interchangeable path display by Command - clicking the proxy icon at the top of any Finder windowpane . ) Unfortunately , you ca n’t copy this path .
A solution to this quandary can be incur in contextual menu plugins . instal in ~/Library / Contextual Menu Items ( for use only in your own account ) or in /Library / Contextual Menu Items ( for use by all business relationship on your Mac ) , such plugins add new options to your contextual menus — the menu that appear when you right - click or restraint - dawn on an detail in the Finder . ( Some plugins also provide additional alternative to the contextual menu available within program . )
The sheer phone number of contextual carte du jour plugins out there that allow you copy a file ’s path is a good indicant of the popularity of this feature ; here are a few of my favorites .
If you ’re already using Gideon Softwork’sFileXaminer (; $ 10)—a comprehensive Indian file utility and one of our all - time favourite muffin — it provides just such a plug - in . FileXaminer offers to install this plugin the first clip you found the program ; otherwise , you’re able to install it via a clit in FileXaminer ’s preferences . The next time you lumber in , the Finder ’s contextual menus will have a new Copy Path item .
Also handy are FileXaminer ’s optional keyboard shortcuts , one of which lets you imitate a file ’s path by selecting the single file in the Finder and then contract Command+Option+C. unluckily , one restriction of FileXaminer is that it ca n’t imitate the path of an item with sure special characters , such as ™ , in its name ( or anywhere in the path , for that matter ) .
If you do n’t have FileXaminer and you ’re face for a wide-eyed answer , Limit Point Software’sFilePathCM 1.0.3 (; payment bespeak ) is a standalone contextual menu plugin that offers just the introductory , contextual - menu path - copying feature article . alas , rathing than localise its Copy Path command in the master contextual menu , FilePathCM add hierarchical menu , ask you to choose FilePath : Copy Path . On the other hand , FilePathCM is able to copy paths that hold special characters .
Finally , if you ’ve got a PowerPC - based Mac , another honest option is Bergen Street Software’sPathSnagger 1.1b5 (; payment request ) , which pop the question the ability to copy file cabinet route in either Unix format ( /System / Library / CoreServices / Menu Extras / Script Menu.menu ) or HFS format ( System : Library : CoreServices : Menu Extras : Script Menu.menu ) . It also offer a handy System Preferences Elvis that let you customize its contextual - menu options . ( PathSnagger ’s contextual carte du jour plugin may in reality work on Intel Macs ; however , its PowerPC preference acid wo n’t . The developer has an “ experimental ” Universal binary star versionavailable , but warn that it ’s not finished or stable . )
FileXaminer 2.6.1 requires Mac OS X 10.2 or gamy ; FilePathCM 1.0.3 requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher . Both are Universal binaries . PathSnagger works on PowerPC Macs running Mac OS X 10.1 or after .
