Automator is one of the my pet unexampled features in OS X ; it allows non - technical users to make seemingly complex programme to handle mundane tasks . Not only that , but these fresh programs can then be solicit into Automator ’s contextual card in the Finder via a simple Save As , and you have the beginnings of the ultimate power tool . As such , look to see a phone number of Automator - related peak here in my web log , include today ’s unveiling .
Let ’s say you work in a commercial enterprise where you get a numeral of different labor files from a issue of unlike client . As the files number in during the day , you keep track of them using a system of named and escort - stamp folders , with a numerical sequence numeral for each project :
To further differentiate clients , you also use Finder Labels to color - code your top seven clients ( as there are seven colour useable ) . Your system works great , but creating the folders is a time - consuming process . Enter Automator , which can make the task nearly effortless .
Launch Automator ( in the Applications leaflet ) , and then press the Finder entry in the Library column . With the Finder choose , drag each of the following entry from the Action column to the work country on the right ; localise them in this order , from top to bottom :
You now have the cuticle of your Automator activity for a given client . Here ’s what each dictation does , and how to customize the mise en scene for a given client . I ’ll utilize the circumstance necessary to make booklet name as depict above . If you ’d like a different naming schema , just alter the various values as needed .
Step 1 : New Folder
This action make a novel leaflet in the Finder . In the Name field , enter the name that you ’d like the pamphlet to have . In my case , I entered “ Client ABC |”—notice that there ’s no trailing space after the tobacco pipe ( upright bar ) . define the Where pop - up to the desire location for the new folder . Unfortunately , Automator does n’t offer a “ In the current booklet ” location option , so you ’ll have to pick from one of the pre - delineate save period , or apply Other to peck a specific locating . I left mine set to Desktop , which makes it prosperous to then drag the ruined folder to its want final fix .
That ’s how the completed action should appear with the edits in lieu .
Step 2 : Rename Finder Items
This first Rename activity will be used to append the day of the month to the novel leaflet you just created . Set the first pop - up to “ Add Date or Time , ” then set the residue of the values as shown below :
Note that you should verify that Year comes first in the Format pop - up — this will assure that the Finder sorts these items decently , in escort ordination . With these configurations in place , the folder will have ” YYYY - MM - DD ” appended to its live name .
footstep 3 : Rename Finder Items
This 2d instance of the Rename action will supply the project number to the folder ’s name . Here you actually have two options . you’re able to name the folder as I ’ve prove above , which will play fine — at first . However , if you are move the new folders into another positioning , you may carry into a duplicate folder name issue down the route . For object lesson , you create a “ # 1 ” folder , then move it to its lasting home , then start the script again . When you do so , you ’ll get another “ # 1 ” folder . strain to move it , and the Finder will tell you it ’s a duplication . But if you ’re going to leave all of the node folders in the same folder where they were created , this method acting is ok to utilise , and is the easiest to read . Here ’s how to set up this natural action to use sequential numbers :
This will put an “ _ n ” at the closing of the folder ’s name , where “ n ” is the numerical sequence telephone number .
For my role , I decided to add a unparalleled value to the final stage of each leaflet ’s name . But how do you check that the number is unequalled ? Simple ; Automator will let you hang on the routine of second since 12 midnight to the name . By doing this , I can move the ruined folders to any destination , and never have to worry about matching name . To tack the secondment instead of a sequence number , set the first pop - up to Add Date or Time , and then use these options for the other time value :
This extend to a pamphlet with “ _ nnnnn ” appended to its name , where “ nnnnn ” is the numeral of seconds since midnight .
Step 4 : Label Finder Items
This one ’s quite well-situated ; just pick the color you ’d like to colligate with the given client . Once a colour is choose , raw pamphlet will be created with that label attached :
try out the activeness
Now would be a good fourth dimension to liken your action withthis screenshotof my finish natural process . They should either be identical , or they should only diverge in those way that you changed — single file names , formats , etc . Once you ’re certain you ’re ready to go , click the Run release . The solution should be a name and labeled leaflet in the emplacement you specified .
order the Action to Use
The good manner to put this activeness to use is to make it a Finder Plug - in . Select File : Save As Plug - in , and give your plug - in a name ( “ Client ABC Folder , ” for example ) . After save , you could control - click in the Finder , then blue-ribbon Automator : Client ABC Folder from the pop - up menu , and you ’ll outright have a newfangled pamphlet for client ABC in the location you select in the hand . Using the kill - up menu , you could easily create any number of brochure in a hurry :
But why stop with just client ABC ? Modify the action mechanism as necessary for your other guest — probably just chagning the recording label coloring in the last item — and save each modified version as its own Finder wad - in . Now you ’ve got seven easy - to - habituate , always available , commands to create your specially diagnose and labeled folders .
The scenario in this example may strike you as a bit contrived ; that ’s OK if it does . The bigger picture is that Automator makes it very gentle to create your own customize Finder folders . trifle around with renaming and labeling , and you ’ll encounter you ’ve get a powerful timesaver at your fingertip , regardless of your actual work flow needs !
