I'm looking for a script (or Launchbar action, or an application) which will take the highlighted text from the front window of any application and send it to my default browser to search in Google. I'd like to be able to bind it to a system-wide keyboard shortcut. I'd like to be able to highlight some text, press a key and have the Google results opened in my browser.
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1 Answer
It already exists in Program Name Menu » Services » Search With Google (only visible with text selection). Assign a keyboard shortcut in System Preferences » Keyboard » Keyboard Shortcuts » Services. This one always uses Safari though.
It's possible that your browser provides a similar Service already, if it has proper integration into OS X and isn't a cross-platform piece of garbage. Just check the list whether you see an appropriate entry.
If you want to build it yourself, or want to use your non-Safari default browser:
Open /Applications/Automator.app, select to create a Service.
In the bar at the upper right, select Service receives text as input in any application.
From the library at the left, double-click Run Shell Script in Utilities.
In the new element, select Pass input: as arguments and enter the following text into the text box:
open "http://www.google.com/search?q=${@}"
Save as e.g. "Search Selection in Google".
answered Sep 2, 2011 at 14:35
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The Automator action worked perfectly since my browser of choice (Firefox) is a cross platform piece of garbage. Thanks so much, you've saved me many hours of cmd-c cmd-tab cmd-l tab cmd-v. Sep 2, 2011 at 15:48
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For whatever reason, this service works in Firefox too. When I use my keyboard shortcut, the "Firefox" menu flashes and it searches, even though Firefox's service menu is empty. Sep 2, 2011 at 15:57
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@nevan I changed the default browser and the page still opened in Safari, so I didn't expect the default shortcut to work like this.– Daniel Beck ♦Sep 2, 2011 at 16:00
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With mine, the built-in "Search with Google" service always opens Safari. The Automator service I made always opens with Firefox, my default browser. Both service work from Safari and Firefox. I realized that Firefox does have Services, but only when you select some text. Sep 2, 2011 at 16:09
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@nevan That's what I meant. Services work in (almost) any application (except some cross-platform programs), but their capabilities might redirect to other programs, e.g. Firefox or a text editor initiating a search in Safari. Using
open(a command-line tool), as my service does, uses the system's default browser. You could also enforce use of Firefox:open -a Firefox "http://..."even though Safari might be your default browser. I just suggested that some browsers might provide a "Search With Google using Opera/Firefox..." service for better OS integration.– Daniel Beck ♦Sep 2, 2011 at 16:16