Shortcut to Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim

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Shortcut to Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim

I access the command Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim a lot now, and I am going to be needing frequent access to it for the foreseeable future. Right now it's a complicated process to get there, including using the control key, which as a left-hander is difficult for me to reach.

I would like to be able to access the Trim command with a single keystroke, or something close to that. I am pretty sure that's possible to set up, but I don't know how. I don't want to automate the actual trim, just be able to get there quickly and easily. Any assistance would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

MacBook Air

Posted on Nov 1, 2022 7:08 AM

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Answer 1

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VikingOSX

Level 10

126,110 points

Nov 1, 2022 8:11 AM in response to John Etnier

Although you can assign a keyboard shortcut to a Quick Action, that shortcut key sequence will not appear on the Finder's Quick Action sub-menu. You will have to remember it.

In System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, you click the [+] button to add an application shortcut. You select Finder, enter the exact same spelling as the shortcut (e.g. Trim), and then enter the unique key combination. In the following, I have created a shortcut for my Flatten PDF Quick Action. All I have to do is single-click the PDF and enter the associated keyboard shortcut.

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Answer 2

John Etnier Author

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201 points

Nov 8, 2022 8:28 AM in response to John Etnier

At this point, a week later, I have to assume that while it is technically possible to create this shortcut, it is logistically so difficult as to to be not worth the investment of time.

I say this as someone who used Macintosh computers exclusively since 1984, and am very saddened things have reached this point.

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Answer 3

John Etnier Author

Level 2

201 points

Nov 1, 2022 8:58 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thank you very much for this super prompt response! Unfortunately the instructions aren't working for me. I see the shortcut command has appeared next to selected files, but it's dimmed. Is it possibly a conflict? I selected Shift Command T.

I would also add that my command is several layers away from the finder: Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim

Very appreciative, and sorry to be so dull!

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

126,110 points

Nov 1, 2022 10:37 AM in response to John Etnier

As I mentioned, you need a unique keyboard shortcut. The shift+cmd+T shortcut is already used by Finder on its View menu to Hide the Tab Bar.

If you are using a unique keyboard shortcut assignment for the Finder > Quick Actions > Trim action, in a similar manner to the example I gave, then whatever you select in the Finder, and responds to that Trim Quick Action, will receive that command via the proper shortcut.

I don't know what you mean by:

I would also add that my command is several layers away from the finder: Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim

It would not matter what folder depth the target file would be located when you apply the correct keyboard shortcut to activate the Trim Quick Action.

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Answer 5

John Etnier Author

Level 2

201 points

Nov 6, 2022 7:12 AM in response to VikingOSX

Apologies for the late response here, and thanks again for your help. As best I can figure out I've been unable to set a shortcut because I keep trying to save key combinations that already exist. There are many, many of them now. Deactivating a shortcut doesn't make it available for me to use for something else. Is there a web resource for available shortcuts?

As to

...my command is several layers away from the finder: Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim

I mean that trim shortcut is not directly available from Finder, but is a few submenus in.

I tried using the key combination that you provided in your example: ^ Option F, and I just get a error tone: I can't edit.

Thanks, very much.

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

126,110 points

Nov 6, 2022 7:10 AM in response to John Etnier

You need to do a drive-by of the Finder menus to see what keyboard shortcuts it reserves for its menu items. Beyond that, there is the macOS keyboard shortcuts list that you should also heed as they too are reserved.

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Answer 7

John Etnier Author

Level 2

201 points

Nov 6, 2022 7:17 AM in response to John Etnier

In an edit, I added this: I tried using the key combination that you provided in your example: ^ Option F, and I just get a error tone: I can't edit.

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Shortcut to Finder > File > Quick Actions > Trim

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