Automator pastes text from Word into Excel as image rather than text

5clarks · 04-06-2009, 09:36 PM

I am compiling keywords that will be searchable in a very large database. I need to
1. take text from several Microsoft Word documents
2. run several "find and replace" searches to eliminate words
3. copy the list of words
4. paste into Excel so that I can.....
4. Sort them alphabetically and
5. Filter to remove any duplicates.
6. Copy text back into a Word document.

I am using Automator to do steps 1-3 and its working well. The trouble comes with step #4. When Automator pastes into Excel it pastes as an image rather than text.

I am using the function called "Paste Clipboard Content into Excel Workbooks" I have specified (in Automator) to paste as text, but it still shows up as an embedded image.

I would REALLY appreciate any help or advice with this. I have a LOT of work to do.

5clarks · 04-07-2009, 07:36 AM

I just realized that I may have posted this in the wrong location. I am new to the site so if I need to ask this question elsewhere I apologize and ask for direction. Thanks so much.

tw · 04-11-2009, 11:40 AM

we'd need to see where you got that excel action - can't really talk much about Automator without access to the actions you're using.

as a general rule, though, when you're trying to do anything that's complex, you might as well go straight to applescript and leave automator out of it. automator is designed for ease-of-use (a way for non-programmers to throw together simple automations without too much effort); you'll always be limited to the things that other people have decided that you're likely to want to do. this task, for instance: you could wrestle with it in automator, but you'd have an easier time of it scripting Word and Excel directly (and an even easier time if you copy the text into an app like TextWrangler that's designed for this kind of text manipulation, and do the work there).

hayne · 04-11-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5clarks


	I just realized that I may have posted this in the wrong location.

I moved it to the Applications section - that is probably more appropriate.

04-06-2009, 09:36 PM	#1
5clarks Prospect Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	Automator pastes text from Word into Excel as image rather than text I am compiling keywords that will be searchable in a very large database. I need to 1. take text from several Microsoft Word documents 2. run several "find and replace" searches to eliminate words 3. copy the list of words 4. paste into Excel so that I can..... 4. Sort them alphabetically and 5. Filter to remove any duplicates. 6. Copy text back into a Word document. I am using Automator to do steps 1-3 and its working well. The trouble comes with step #4. When Automator pastes into Excel it pastes as an image rather than text. I am using the function called "Paste Clipboard Content into Excel Workbooks" I have specified (in Automator) to paste as text, but it still shows up as an embedded image. I would REALLY appreciate any help or advice with this. I have a LOT of work to do.

04-11-2009, 11:40 AM	#3
tw Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,262	we'd need to see where you got that excel action - can't really talk much about Automator without access to the actions you're using. as a general rule, though, when you're trying to do anything that's complex, you might as well go straight to applescript and leave automator out of it. automator is designed for ease-of-use (a way for non-programmers to throw together simple automations without too much effort); you'll always be limited to the things that other people have decided that you're likely to want to do. this task, for instance: you could wrestle with it in automator, but you'd have an easier time of it scripting Word and Excel directly (and an even easier time if you copy the text into an app like TextWrangler that's designed for this kind of text manipulation, and do the work there). __________________ Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language. -LW-

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

04-07-2009, 07:36 AM	#2
5clarks Prospect Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	I just realized that I may have posted this in the wrong location. I am new to the site so if I need to ask this question elsewhere I apologize and ask for direction. Thanks so much.