Use Applescript to flag or color a mail message

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Level 1

8 points

Use Applescript to flag or color a mail message

I have written an applescript that I invoked with a hot key that takes a mail message and its attachment and saves it in a folder I select. At present asks me if I want to delete it but sometimes I don't. I have been trying to work out a way to either flag the message or color the line in preview so I know I have processed it. so far no success any ideas please.

I realise that a mail rule will do this but I do not know how to call a rule from the script.

Peter

iMac 27" PC. Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jul 11, 2011 11:56 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 11, 2011 12:10 PM in response to MitchBVI

...that takes a mail message and its attachment and saves it in a folder I select.

Is the message (and its attachment) being extracted from Mail and sent to a folder created in Finder? ...or are you working within Mail, sending the message to a mailbox (which looks like a folder in the Mail sidebar)?

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Answer 2

MitchBVI Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2011 12:15 PM in response to Don Archibald

Hi Don

thanks for the response

The applescript saves the message and any attachments as PDF's which are as it happens on a portable drive but effectively in the finder.

Peter

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Answer 3

Jul 11, 2011 12:34 PM in response to MitchBVI

Can you not add a section to your Applescript which allows the labelling of the file after it has been extracted from Mail? ...meaning, using Finder's label function. This would add a color flag of your choosing to each message processed.

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Answer 4

MitchBVI Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2011 1:13 PM in response to Don Archibald

Don

No I did not explain myself properly. I want to leave some messages in mail (for threads etc) but mark it so I know I have processed it either with a flag or color. As I mentioned I have given myself the option of deleting the message when it has been processed. But if I do not delete it I sometimes process it again and that is what I am trying to avoid.

I had though about creating a rule then deleting it but that has me stumped as well.

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Answer 5

Jul 11, 2011 1:34 PM in response to MitchBVI

I don't know how addressable Mail is via AppleScript, but it does have a color menu in its header. With a message selected in the upper-panel list, selecting a color from that menu will flag/color the message in the list with that color (very similar to lFinder's labelling function, in appearance anyway).

One of the display variants for that color menu is Web Safe Colors, which should allow entering a color code.

The sequence, in actions - select the message; open Color menu; select a color; close menu.

The Color menu/window can be opened via keyboard command: Command-Shift-C

*****

Alternatively, you could reserve the "Flag" indicator available in Mail for just this purpose. It's in the Message menu, in the Mark submenu. Via keyboard, it's Command-Shift-L which should allow easy inclusion in your AppleScript.

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Answer 6

MitchBVI Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2011 1:56 PM in response to Don Archibald

Don

Cannot find "color menu in its header" where exactly do you mean in applescript or mail".

I have tried this trial scrip as I thought your idea of command shift L would work. the scrip compiles and runs OK just does not flag the message selected.

tell application "Mail"

set themsg to selection

set themsg to item 1 of themsg

tell application "System Events"

tell process "mail"

keystroke "L" using {command down, shift down}

end tell

this is the event log

tell application "Mail"

get selection

--> {message id 32232 of mailbox "INBOX" of account "MobileMe"}

end tell

tell application "System Events"

keystroke "L" using {command down, shift down}

end tell

Can you see what i am doing incorrectly and thank you for your time.

Peter

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Answer 7

Jul 11, 2011 2:28 PM in response to MitchBVI

The Colors menu is here -

I'm not conversant with AppleScripts, so can't tell what might be wrong with your script. Perhaps someone who is familiar with them will post in with a suggestion.

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Answer 8

MitchBVI Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2011 2:43 PM in response to Don Archibald

Don

Thanks for all your help I did not think of looking at customizing the tool bar. Hopefully some one will have an answer to my scripting problems.

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