copy text without links in safari

Here is a solution for removing HTML markup from a text string that is outlined in the section, “Working with HTML and URLs,” in the Apple Developer's Mac Automation Scripting Guide.

What I have done is create an Automator Service from the HTML removal AppleScript example in this guide. All that is needed is one Automator action that strips the HTML syntax from the selected text. So, in your example where you want to strip all HTML out of “Hydrogen contains one proton.” — the Automator service would put “Hydrogen contains one proton.” on the clipboard, and ready to paste into Messages, or any other application as just text.

When I saved the new Automator Service, I gave it the memorable name, “Remove HTML from Text.”

1. Launchpad : Other : Automator

   New : Service : Choose.

2. Drag and drop the Run AppleScript action to the right into the larger workflow window.
   1. Prior to Sierra, the Run AppleScript action is in the Automator Utility Library. With Sierra, it is found in the Automator Library.
   2. Select entire contents of AppleScript boilerplate, and remove.
   3. Copy/paste code from below into the Run AppleScript action window.
3. Save...

   filename: Remove HTML from Text

4. Quit Automator
5. Select text in browser with known HTML links

   Safari menu : Services : Remove HTML from Text

6. Paste plain text from clipboard into target application

-- Remove HTML from Text

-- Content must be selected before choosing this Service

on run {input, parameters}

set theText to (item 1 of input) as text

set the clipboard toremoveMarkupFromText(theText) as text

return

end run

on removeMarkupFromText(theText)

set tagDetected to false

set theCleanText to ""

repeat with a from 1 to length of theText

set theCurrentCharacter to charactera of theText

if theCurrentCharacter is "<" then

set tagDetected to true

else if theCurrentCharacter is ">" then

set tagDetected to false

else if tagDetected is false then

set theCleanText to theCleanText & theCurrentCharacter as string

end if

end repeat

return theCleanText

end removeMarkupFromText

One way to accomplish that would be to copy first into a plain text file in an application like TextEdit (Format menu > Plain Text), then to copy into Messages. I realize that it is another step but the only solution I can think of offhand.

And the AppleScript replacement, workalike, Run Shell Script Automator action.

Nice Viking! Since I don't do AppleScript that solution would never have occurred to me.