Find and Select Text in Read-Only Mac Text Fields
Search within a native read-only text field and select a match with Cursor Crane. This works when Input Mode can read the field even though the app does not allow you to edit it.
Before you start
Section titled “Before you start”The target text field must be supported.
Some native text fields can be marked as non-editable even though Input Mode can still capture their text. Even when the field does not accept direct edits, you can use text find to locate and select text inside it.
For example, Xcode’s Debug Area may expose its output as a non-editable text field, but you can still use Input Mode to find and select text there.
- Focus the text field.
- Enter Input Mode.
- Press Control + W to open text find.
- Type the text you want to find.
- Press Up , Down , or Return to move to a match and select it.
Hold Shift while choosing a match to extend the current selection instead of replacing it.
What to check
Section titled “What to check”This is not OCR over an arbitrary screenshot: if Input Mode cannot read the field, try copying text from the interface element instead.