Those of us who rely on Macs for our day-to-day work have probably settled into a routine of doing a few unpleasant and time-consuming procedures. The whole point of having a computer is so that it can perform tedious tasks, right? In a word, yes. And with some planning, Automator makes it as simple as dragging and dropping things onto a window to make your Mac do just that. In this article, we will discuss how to use Automator on a Mac, and how to run Automator workflows automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Automator is Mac software that lets you build automated processes. You probably already have a good idea of how Automator functions if you’ve used similar tools, such as If This Then That, iOS’s Shortcuts, or even Zapier or Integromat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Automator is unique among digital automation tools because it works seamlessly with Mac OS. You may use it to customize your Mac by adjusting its settings, organizing your files, and creating shortcuts with the press of a key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a helpful app that can help you get more done in less time and provide more features for your Mac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many other automation tools for macOS that are superior to Automator, and I feel compelled to point that out. Keyboard Maestro is one app researchers recommended in a recent Best June Apps For iOS and macOS post for power users who enjoy automation. However, Automator is appropriate for most users due to its simplicity and lack of cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t feel bad if you’re having trouble following along. This is likely due to your lack of familiarity with the idea of digital automation. Let’s make a change there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The majority of us are familiar with the type of automation that occurs in factories. Final products spit out of a factory’s exit after being fed raw materials into the facility and transported by machines through a series of modifications that require little to no human intervention. A spoon is created when steel arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few key differences distinguish digital automation from its analog counterpart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using digital automation, you may routinely accomplish mundane tasks like organizing files, sending the same email every Friday, or reducing the size of photographs by half. The Automator app allows you to perform all of these things and more after you learn how it operates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good question, There are two primary approaches to using the Automator software. The first is easy to pick up and use, but the second may take some practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the first place, we have workflows as a method. What other programs may refer to as a “routine” or “automation” might be thought of as a “workflow” in Automator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step in making a workflow in the Automator software is deciding what kind of workflow you want to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is crucial because it will influence the schedule and parameters of your workflow. For instance, you may configure workflows to execute according to your schedule, or you may add a new item to the right-click menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Afterward, you’ll design the workflow’s executable steps. This is where you’ll put together the series of actions that will launch your process. This may consist of a single action or multiple actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are the sorts of automated processes you may expect to build if you don’t know how to code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also choose to write your own code if you have the necessary skills. Your own macOS-compatible automation scripts can now be written using this. This means you’re not limited to Automator’s predefined process options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, you’ll need to know how to write code in order to use this method. In order to automate your process, you can use AppleScript, JavaScript, or even shell commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you’ll be creating your own scripts from scratch, you’ll be exposed to many of the common challenges programmers face. You’ll need to test it thoroughly, you might end up doing a lot of research on Google, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can combine your script with the preexisting Automator actions to make the procedure a little less cumbersome. Thus, you can avoid developing code if your desired functionality is already available in Automator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will presume that you have discovered the Automator application on your Mac and are now curious as to how to use it. We would venture a guess that the vast majority of Mac users (even those who have used Macs like the MacBook Pro for years) are unaware that it is part of macOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there it is, a friendly robot icon just waiting to be put to good use. The idea is that it will make quick work of mundane activities like converting photos, cleaning up a downloads folder, or mass renaming a number of files. It accomplishes this by enabling the development of workflows that can be as elementary or sophisticated as you wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step in learning how to use Automator is, in many ways, reading through all of the things it can do to help you. Understanding all it’s capable of takes some time, but if you treat it as “if this, then that” programming with some drag-and-dropping thrown in, you’ll have it figured out in no time. Do it, and you’ll see what we’re talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s how to use the Automator on a Mac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To initiate the Spotlight Search feature, please press the Command key and the Spacebar simultaneously. This action will open the Spotlight Search interface. Next, proceed to type the term “Automator” into the search bar and locate the corresponding icon. Finally, click on the Automator icon to access the software. The user can find the desired application in the Dock, where they can also access Launchpad by opening it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this illustrative instance, we shall construct a workflow that facilitates the simultaneous conversion and resizing of photos. However, it is important to note that there are more functionalities that can be explored. To initiate the process, users are advised to navigate to the “File” tab and proceed to select the “New” option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, you may view eight distinct workflow examples. It’s a lot, so let’s break it down and see what each part does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To begin using a workflow, simply click the workflow type you prefer. Here at Folder Action, we voted for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n