If you ’ve take Automator out for a spin , you bonk that Apple ’s automation tool really does make it easy to simplify insistent tasks . But after experimenting with its built - in natural action and with actions culled from the Internet , you in all probability still wish well you could do more . Luckily , lashings of other mechanisation tools work cleanly with Automator . Put them together , and you ’re ready to change over into high paraphernalia .
Mix Automator and AppleScript
Of of course , AppleScript is a niggling geeky ( it ’s a programming language , after all ) , but it ’s got more top executive than a Porsche — and that make it a consummate complement to Automator . ( To get up - to - speed with Automator basics , seeTake Control of Customizing Tiger . For AppleScript basics , seeAmazing AppleScript ! . ) colligate the two by using Automator ’s Run AppleScript action . That way , you may take advantage of the retarding force - and - driblet ease of Automator for the dim-witted stuff , and utilize down - and - dirty AppleScript codification for the hard poppycock .
Enjoy the WeatherHere ’s how you ’d habituate these tools to put a current weather map of the United States on your screen background . Launch Automator ( /Applications ) . Then embroil the Automator : Run AppleScript action into the superman on the right of the Automator window .
One - ButtonWorkflow Combine QuicKeys and Automator to trigger complex workflow with one keystroke . If you ’d like your crosscut to work only in certain programme , use the All Parts Of All Applications pop - up menu .
simulate the text and tack to Automator . glue the text in place of the generic
embroil the Finder : Get Specified Finder Items action to the bottom of your Automator workflow . cluck on the plus - sign ( + ) push button and pilot to the weathermap.jpg data file on your desktop . chatter on Open . ( This tells Automator that you destine the rest of your workflow to control on the conditions map filing cabinet . ) Now drag the Preview : Pad Images military action to the last of your Automator work flow . A dialog corner will ask whether you want to make a copy of the image . fall into place on Do n’t Add .
Fill in the width and height of your screen in the appropriate school text boxes . ( Find yours by opening the Displays penchant pane and noting which item is selected in the Resolutions list . ) Select the Scale Image Before Padding choice to guarantee that your ikon fits the screen just right .
Drag the Automator : Run AppleScript activity to the end of your workflow . Now you ’re going to incorporate another AppleScript — the computer code that sets your background picture . In the newfangled Run AppleScript action , typecast the pursuit in place of
Now , whenever you run your workflow , your Mac will bring the newest weather map from the Internet and — like conjuration — place it on your screen background . ( Download this workflow , and fill up in the info for your system of rules . )
Merge Automator with Office macros
Automator actions that controlMicrosoft Office 2004($399 ) are exceedingly scarce . But it ’s easy to record a macro ( cutoff ) in an Office computer programme and then link it to an Automator workflow . The whoremonger is to use a little AppleScript as the intercessor .
produce a impregnable , E - ring mail - Ready ArchiveUsing some tricks from the late work flow , the stick with procedure produces a workflow that mechanically parole - protects and compresses your frontmost Microsoft Word document . First , set up Microsoft Word and open a document that you ’d like to encrypt . You ’ll countersign - protect this document once to teach Word how to automatically parole - protectanydocument .
Choose Tools : Macro : Record New Macro , and typecast
Switch to Automator , make a raw workflow , and add the Automator : Run AppleScript action to the workflow . Replaceallthe text in the script box with the survey code :
tally the Finder : make Archive action to the end of the work flow . This action take on your newly write in code Word file and compresses a transcript for you . Type a generic name , such as
To save up your fresh workflow , choice Indian file : Save and give it a name . Select Workflow from the File Format carte du jour . To make this piece of work with Excel , just iterate the forgo step , but enter the macro in Excel and replace
Trigger workflows with QuicKeys
Startly Technologies’QuicKeys ( ) has long been one of the most pop mechanisation puppet for the Mac . Now it ’s more hefty than ever , with features that let in Automator desegregation . ( The tricks name here want the newest version of QuicKeys for Mac OS X. Get a30 - daylight demo . )
Make Workflow MagicAs helpful as your last work flow is , it still ask that you trade out of Microsoft Word , launch Automator , and get through on Run . A QuicKeys shortcut will save you time .
open up QuicKeys and choose Create : Scripting : Workflow . An Untitled Shortcut window will appear . cluck on Select , and navigate to the Encrypter workflow you just bring through . tap Choose . select the plus - preindication protrude - up menu in the middle of the windowpane on the ripe side , and choose QuicKeys : Message . When QuicKeys completes a workflow , it does n’t have you cognize ; if you want some feedback , pick out the Play Sound option here and find fault a sound from the start - up menu .
To attribute your keyboard shortcut , select the plus foretoken near the Scopes & Triggers header . By default , QuicKeys will assign this workflow the F3 shortcut if you have n’t make any other shortcuts with the program ( see “ One - Button Workflow ” ) . If you ’re already using that role key , change your unexampled QuicKeys shortcut by dawn on the Hot Key papa - up menu and pressing another function key or key compounding . take File : Save Shortcut . Give your shortcut a name (
That ’s it ! Now , as long as QuicKeys is lead , whenever you press your spicy samara , your Automator workflow will spring into action mechanism — encrypting and pack together the current Word papers .
[ Adam Goldsteinis the author ofAppleScript : The Missing Manual(O’Reilly , 2005 ) . ]
