Reference Forms

A reference form is the syntax, or rule, for writing a phrase that identifies an object or group of objects. For example, the Index reference form allows you to identify an object by its number, as in



 
word 5 of paragraph 10

AppleScript includes other reference forms for identifying objects in applications. Table 5-3 summarizes the reference forms you can use to identify objects and provides links to sections that describe them in detail. Each section includes a brief explanation of a reference form, a syntax summary, and examples of how to use the reference form to specify application objects. The Filter reference form is described in more detail in Using the Filter Reference Form.

Table 5-3 Reference forms

Reference form	Purpose
Arbitrary Element	Specifies an arbitrary object in a container (rarely used)
Every Element	Specifies every object of a particular class in a container
Filter	Specifies every object in a particular container that matches conditions specified by a Boolean test expression
ID	Specifies an object by its ID property
Index	Specifies the position of an object with respect to the beginning or end of a container
Middle Element	Specifies the middle object in a container (rarely used)
Name	Specifies an object by its Name property
Property	Specifies a property of an application object, a record, a script object, or a date
Range	Specifies a series of objects
Relative	Specifies the position of an object in relation to another object in the same container