There are many convenient shortcuts for inserting content into your script from elsewhere. Here’s a summary.

• You can create a tell block in many different ways, including a tell block containing a command template or an object reference.

• You can type an abbreviation corresponding to a text substitution.

• You can type the start of an AppleScript term and let be completed automatically.

• You can take use auto-closing to enter end lines automatically, and auto-pairing to enter closing delimiters automatically.

• You can paste a clipping to insert boilerplate, such as an AppleScript control structure.

From the Finder, drag-and-drop a file or folder into your script. A dialog appears asking what you want to do.

• If what you dragged is an application, one option is to insert a tell block targeting that application.

• You can insert the name, alias, or pathname (POSIX or Macintosh-style) of the dropped items. Multiple dropped items are combined into a list.

• You can insert an object specifier (reference) suitable for use in a tell block targeting the Finder.

• If what you dragged is a text file, you can insert its contents.

In a dictionary window, in addition to the various Paste Tell commands, you can also use drag-and-drop:

• Drag from the dictionaries list at the left of the dictionary window into a script. The effect is the same as dragging the application from the Finder.

• Drag from the terminology list into a script. The effect is the same as choosing Paste Tell.

In an explorer’s outliner:

• Drag-and-drop a line of the outline into your script. You’ll get a paste tell referring to the dragged object. Alternatively, select the line, choose Edit > Copy, and paste into your script.

• If what you want to insert into your script is the value of a property, Control-click on the property and choose Copy Value (or hold Shift and choose Edit > Copy), and then paste into your script.