Script to copy clipboard contents into Object Export Options of selected image?

[LynxKx]

I'm trying to find a script that will automate an alt text process.

Once I've selected the Image I'm wanting to affect, access an items 'Object Export Options',  change the Alt Text Source to 'Custom' and then insert clipboard contents (text i've copied) in the window.

I know its just eliminating a couple clicks, but If i can just copy text and select an image and then click the script when i'm going through mulitple photos in a document, that would be cool.

Is this possible?

[brian_p_dts]

I don't believe Alt Text is available to the scripting DOM, unfortunately.

[Mike Bro · Accepted solution]

Hello @LynxKx,

Give the below script a try, I know the code could be refined a bit more but it does what you're looking for...

 
 function Main() {

  function GetClipboard(){  
    var clipboard;  
    if(File.fs == "Macintosh"){  
        var script = 'tell application "Finder"\nset clip to the clipboard\nend tell\nreturn clip';  
        clipboard = app.doScript (script,ScriptLanguage.APPLESCRIPT_LANGUAGE);  
    } else {  
        var script = 'Set objHTML = CreateObject("htmlfile")\r'+  
        'returnValue = objHTML.ParentWindow.ClipboardData.GetData("text")';  
        clipboard = app.doScript(script,ScriptLanguage.VISUAL_BASIC);  
    }  
    return clipboard;  
} 

myCustomAltText = GetClipboard();

	try { var objectExportOptions = mySelObject.objectExportOptions;
	  with (objectExportOptions) {
     altTextSourceType = SourceType.SOURCE_CUSTOM;
     customAltText = myCustomAltText;
		}} catch(e) {}
}
  
 if (app.selection.length == 0) {
		 alert("Error!\nNothing is selected.");
	}

  else if (app.selection.length > 1) {
    alert("Error!\nThere's more than one object selected.");
  }

  else if (app.selection.length == 1 && app.selection[0].hasOwnProperty("baseline")) {
		alert("Error!\nSome text is selected.");
	}

  mySelObject = app.selection[0];
  Main();	

Regards,

Mike

[LynxKx]

Totally works! and will be so helpful when I have repeat graphics with the same alt text! Thank you so much for your help! 

[LynxKx]

Is there a way to do this for form fields description as well? Copy clipboards contents and use the javascript to put in the selected form field description? or 

[brian_p_dts]

Listen to Mike, not me. Alt Text isn't available to the DOM for hyperlink objects. That's where I was getting confused. 

[rob day · Accepted solution]

Hi @LynxKx , Could you skip getting the clipboard contents, and run the script with the text frame and image selected? Something like this gets the text from the text frame:

var s = app.documents.item(0).selection;
var t, obj;
for (var i = 0; i < s.length; i++){
    if (s[i].constructor.name == "TextFrame") {
        t=s[i].contents;
    } else {
        obj=s[i]
    }
};   


if (t != undefined && s.length ==2) {
    try { var objectExportOptions = obj.objectExportOptions;
        with (objectExportOptions) {
            altTextSourceType = SourceType.SOURCE_CUSTOM;
            customAltText = t;
        }
    } catch(e) {}
} else {
    alert("Select a text frame and object")
}

[LynxKx]

That would actually be perfect!! I'm anxious to get to my computer and try it out! Will let you know! Thank you SO MUCH!!

[LynxKx]

That worked so beautifully! thank you so much! will save me so much time!