Python script to open a Google Map location on clipboard?

Automating the process of opening Google Maps locations can save time when you frequently search for places. This Python script reads a location from either command line arguments or the clipboard and automatically opens it in Google Maps using your default browser.

Required Installation

We need to install the pyperclip package to access clipboard content ?

pip install pyperclip

How the Script Works

The script follows these steps ?

• Check if a location is provided as command line arguments

• If no arguments, read the location from clipboard using pyperclip

• Use the webbrowser module to open Google Maps with the location

• Construct the Google Maps URL and launch it in the default browser

Complete Script

# webbrowser module helps open default web browser
import webbrowser
# sys contains command line arguments  
import sys
# To access clipboard
import pyperclip

# Check if location provided as command line argument
if len(sys.argv) > 1:
    # Join all arguments to form complete address
    address = " ".join(sys.argv[1:])
else:
    # Get location from clipboard
    address = pyperclip.paste()

# Construct Google Maps URL and open in browser
maps_url = "https://www.google.com/maps/place/" + address
webbrowser.open(maps_url)

print(f"Opening Google Maps for: {address}")

Usage Examples

Using Command Line Arguments

python map_script.py New York City
python map_script.py "Times Square, NYC"

Using Clipboard

Copy any location to clipboard (Ctrl+C) and run ?

python map_script.py

Enhanced Version with Error Handling

import webbrowser
import sys
import pyperclip
import urllib.parse

def open_google_maps():
    try:
        # Get location from command line or clipboard
        if len(sys.argv) > 1:
            address = " ".join(sys.argv[1:])
        else:
            address = pyperclip.paste().strip()
        
        # Check if address is empty
        if not address:
            print("Error: No location found in arguments or clipboard")
            return
        
        # URL encode the address for safety
        encoded_address = urllib.parse.quote_plus(address)
        maps_url = f"https://www.google.com/maps/place/{encoded_address}"
        
        # Open in browser
        webbrowser.open(maps_url)
        print(f"Opening Google Maps for: {address}")
        
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error: {e}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    open_google_maps()

Key Features

Conclusion

This script automates Google Maps location lookup by reading addresses from command line arguments or clipboard. The enhanced version includes proper error handling and URL encoding for reliable operation with any location format.