Learn Mac’s Automator Basics With This File-Renaming Workflow

Basics of automationFor Mac users who may not be aware, Automator is Apple’s automation tool that’s built into every Mac running OS X. It allows Mac users to easily automate tasks without the need for a Mac. Must have any programming skills.

In fact, if you learn how to use Automator, you can end up saving an incredible amount of time, especially if you work with tasks that require a lot of repetition.

So if you want to know a little more about Automator, read on to learn its basics.

When you open Automator on your Mac, you’ll be prompted to choose the type of workflow you want to create. Since the purpose of this section is to learn the basics, click Application options is more than enough to get a good idea of ​​how to create a workflow in this app.

automation app

After doing this, you’ll see Automator’s left panel listing all the apps it supports. The list may not be extensive, but the apps it contains include more than enough functionality to accomplish most basic tasks.

Automated Application Dashboard

After you select the application you want to work with, the panel to the right of it (the . icon) act panel) shows the available actions for the selected application. Alternatively, you can use the search field at the top of the app to search for any specific action, which is described in the horizontal panel below.

For this example, we’ll create a simple Automator action to rename some Finder items.

Automatically rename items

Simply double clicking on the action will place it on the rightmost panel, which is where you can build all your workflows.

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Automation action is set

Now, know that all Automator actions will require you to take a certain form of input. In this case, since we’re planning on creating an action to rename some Finder items, Automator asks you to give it those files. So, as it stands, the workflow isn’t complete until you provide those items.

To do so, simply drag them over existing sections of the workflow. In this case, we’ll be using a few images that we want to rename.

The machine automatically sets the image

Automatic machine pictures are placed

Next, you will have to test each of the different steps/actions in your workflow by adjusting their options until you agree with the selected parameters. In our example, we’ll adjust steps two and three (Copy Finder Items And Rename Finder Items).

In step two, we will deselect Replace existing files checkbox so that we can keep a copy of the original image that we want to rename.

Then, in step three, we choose Sequential execution rename the parameter and adjust its options to have all our images with the same name and numbered consecutively as you can see in the image below.

Sequential auto-execution

When ready, click Run in the top right of Automator to run your workflow.

Auto run

Once it’s run, Automator will let you know if the workflow went smoothly, and you’ll also see your image has been renamed.

Automated task completed

The image of the automatic machine has been renamed

Hot Tip: Want to repeat this workflow? Just save it as is, and every time you open it, you’ll only have to tweak a few options to get it ready to go.

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Automated saving process

Automator workflow saved

Your go. Automator is undoubtedly one of the most convenient utilities that every Mac owner has, and hopefully with the use of this simple guide you will now be able to save a lot of time by letting Automator handles those boring, repetitive tasks.

Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/

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