Automator (macOS)
Automator is an application developed by Apple Inc. for macOS. It was first introduced with Mac OS X Tiger and has been included in every subsequent version of macOS. Automator allows users to create custom workflows for automating repetitive tasks without requiring programming knowledge.
Features[edit | edit source]
Automator provides a drag-and-drop interface for creating workflows. Users can select from a library of actions, which are pre-defined tasks that can be combined to create a workflow. These actions can interact with various applications and system services, such as Finder, Safari, and Mail.
Workflow Types[edit | edit source]
Automator supports several types of workflows:
- Application: A standalone application that runs a workflow when opened.
- Service: A workflow that can be accessed from the Services menu in macOS.
- Folder Action: A workflow that runs when files are added to a specific folder.
- Calendar Alarm: A workflow that runs at a specified time or date.
- Print Plugin: A workflow that runs when printing a document.
- Image Capture Plugin: A workflow that runs when importing images from a camera or scanner.
Actions[edit | edit source]
Automator actions are the building blocks of workflows. They can perform a wide range of tasks, such as:
- Manipulating files and folders
- Interacting with web pages
- Sending emails
- Running AppleScript or shell scripts
- Extracting data from documents
Usage[edit | edit source]
Automator is used by both novice and advanced users to streamline their workflows. For example, a user can create a workflow to rename a batch of files, resize images, or back up important documents. Advanced users can integrate Automator with other scripting languages to create more complex workflows.
Related Technologies[edit | edit source]
Automator is part of a suite of automation tools available on macOS, which also includes:
See Also[edit | edit source]
- macOS
- AppleScript
- Shortcuts (app)
- Script Editor (software)
- Finder (software)
- Safari (web browser)
- Mail (Apple)
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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