Automator: Service to list File Paths of selected items, into Text File

Question

How can this Automator Service for Finder be created?

• I'd like to be able to use Finder's Context menu (by right-clicking a Finder item) to run a Service that gets the file paths of the selected files.
• The paths should be entered into a Text File (which can be unsaved or saved in the current folder).

Furthermore:

• I currently only need to be able to get the paths of multiple selected files – but not the paths of subfolder contents, etc. I hope that serves not to overcomplicate things.

• I would prefer if the filenames don't have Escaping Spaces ("Like\ This"), but instead normal spaces – but if there's a setting for that, I'd like how to alter between the modes within the script.

Answer 1

If you're looking for something that's more "pure Automator," here's one option (although, as was mentioned in the comments, right-clicking on the items in Finder, holding option, and selecting Copy Items as Pathnames is probably the easiest solution):

• Accepts files or folders in Finder
• Set Value of Variable Inputs
• Run Shell Script: /usr/bin/dirname "$1" (make sure to pass input as arguments)
• Set Value of Variable Parent Folder
• Get Value of Variable Inputs <-- this should not accept input (right-click on the action and select Ignore Input)
• New Text File (Plain text, [whatever file name you want], Parent Folder (drag this in from the variables list))

I've included a screenshot below:

Answer 2

No script is needed, as this is already built into Finder (this works for one or multiple files):

• Right click on the file(s) in Finder

• Press and hold option

• Select Copy [file name] as Pathname (or Copy [#] Items as Pathnames for multiple files) in the context menu

• The pathnames are now saved to your clipboard. You can paste them into Notes or a text file

Answer 3

Assuming you know how to create save and use a service menu item...

Script

on run {input, parameters}
    set myExport to ""
    repeat with x in input
        set myExport to myExport & the POSIX path of x & return
    end repeat
    tell application "Finder" to set myPath to (POSIX path of (get (container of (first item of input)) as text))
    do shell script "echo " & the quoted form of myExport & " > " & the quoted form of (myPath & "/file_list.txt")
end run