Applescript how to move files from 1 folder to another. Can’t make into type integer Error

Question

I am trying to move files from 1 folder to a certain folder if they have a specific name. The listOfFiles are the files to be moved.

I am getting an error cant make Can’t make {\"file1.rtf\", \"file2.rtf\", \"file3.rtf\"} into type integer

I haven't made the condition to check the name yet. first trying to just move the files.

 set listOfFiles to {"file1.rtf", "file2.rtf","file3.rtf"}


tell application "Finder"
   set sourceFolder to ((path to desktop) & "moveTest1") as string as alias
   set goFolder to ((path to desktop) & "moveTest2") as string as alias
   set goFiles to the name of every file of sourceFolder


   repeat with i from 1 to the count of goFiles

    if goFiles = listOfFiles then
        move file goFiles to folder goFolder

    end if

    end repeat

end tell

Thanks!

Answer 1

The main problem is that you can't specify a list of strings (goFiles) with a single file specifier.

Assuming you want to copy all files from folder moveTest1 to folder moveTest2 whose file names are in listOfFiles you can filter those files in one line:

set goFiles to every file of sourceFolder whose name is in listOfFiles

Since the desktop folder is the root folder of the Finder you don't need to specify the desktop folder explicitly.

set listOfFiles to {"file1.rtf", "file2.rtf", "file3.rtf"}
tell application "Finder"
    set sourceFolder to folder "moveTest1"
    set goFolder to folder "moveTest2"
    set goFiles to every file of sourceFolder whose name is in listOfFiles
    move goFiles to goFolder

end tell

Actually you can write the move operation in a single line

tell application "Finder" to move (every file of folder "moveTest1" whose name is in listOfFiles) to folder "moveTest2"