10 operations for Automator on MacOS, which automate routine actions

Automator Create a new file by selecting the appropriate type - depends on your algorithm will work under any conditions. Then drag the desired action from the list in an empty tool box in order of their performance - they are divided into categories and well sought after search string.

1. Bulk Rename Files

If you often rename multiple files one by one and the same pattern, it makes sense to provide for that single action.

1. Create a new Automator file type of "quick action".
2. Set "The process gets the current" on "Files and Folders" in the Finder.
3. Add the action "Get the selected items the Finder" from the category "Files and Folders".
4. Hereinafter - the "Copy objects Finder» (this step is necessary if you want to keep the original files perenazyvaemyh).
5. Add the "Rename objects Finder» and choose exactly how to do it.

Now just select the files you want to rename, and run through your action item "Service" from the context menu.

Bulk Rename in Automator - quite flexible thing. It allows you to assign file numbers to add their name to any text, date and time, change case of letters. The program can affect both the name and the file extension.

2. resizing and image format

A large photo collection It takes up much space. Why not pinch your photos and convert them to JPEG?

1. Create a new Automator file type of "quick action".
2. Set "The process gets the current" on "Files and Folders" in the Finder.
3. Add the "Get Selected objects Finder».
4. Then - "Copy objects Finder» (if you want to save the original image).
5. Add "Change aspect ratio" and choose what to convert images (supports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and BMP).
6. Check the "zoom" (changes can be expressed in pixels or as a percentage).

Now you have selected the objects that will be applied swift action will be copied and then reduced and converted.

Similarly, you can mass deploy and mirror the images, cut or increase the size of the canvas, and so on. Simply select the desired action from the list and drag it to the Automator window.

3. Cleaning the folder "Downloads"

Folder "Downloads", which pours everything that you download from the Internet, with time growing and take up much space.

1. Create a new Automator file type "Folder Action."
2. Specify in the parameter "Action folder receives files and folders added to the" downloads folder.
3. Add the action "Find objects the Finder" in the folder "Downloads" under appropriate conditions "Date changes are not in the last one week."
4. Next - "Move Finder items in the shopping cart."

After you save this action, it will be automatically deleted in the "shopping cart" files, lain in the "loading" more than a week.

4. Closing unneeded applications

MacOS all users migrated from WindowsMay initially surprising habit of Apple's operating system does not complete the application by clicking on the "Close" button, and leave them running in the Dock. Automator can fix it.

1. Create a new Automator file type "Plan".
2. Add the action "End all programs." It should leave the checkbox "Prompt to save changes' not to accidentally delete a document you were working on. You can also specify exceptions - programs that do not need to be closed.

Keep this action, and it will run every time you open it. You can drag and drop it directly into the Dock, to quickly close all applications holding memory one click.

5. Opening of a given web page set

Let's say every day you work with a specific set of sites. You can, of course, just lock them in a browser, but then they will stick out in front of your eyes even when you are resting. Therefore, to make them easier to open teammates.

1. Create a new Automator file type "Plan".
2. Add the action "Get Specified URL».
3. Make a set of necessary addresses to the list - one in each line. By default, the list will register the home address of Apple - delete it.
4. Add the action "Show Web page".

Now, each time you press this Automator file will open in the browser address you listed.

6. Combining PDF pages

Those who often works with PDF, using special applications or online services. However, the built-in utility "View" in macOS also has good functionality and allows you to work with PDF. Its capabilities and uses Automator.

1. Create a new Automator file type of "quick action".
2. Set "The process gets the current" on "Files and Folders" in the Finder.
3. Add the action "Get Selected objects Finder».
4. Check "Merge PDF-pages."
5. Add a "Move to the Finder objects" by checking the box next to "Replace existing files" to save the finished item in the right place.

Now you can select multiple PDF files, click on them, right-click and select the shortcut menu "quick action" created Automator script. PDF will be glued together into one large file (the original at the same time remain).

But that's not all. Take a look at the action list on the left: the application can and split PDF by pages, and extract text from there (as in a simple and formatted form), and add watermarks.

7. Copy of the clipboard as a text file

This action is useful if you frequently copy and save text in the future. You can do so that it is automatically saved in a specific file.

1. Create a new Automator file type of "quick action".
2. Add the action "Get the contents of the clipboard."
3. Check the "New text file" and specify where to save the file, whether to keep the original formatting of the document and should be called.

Can highlight any text, select the menu "Service" with a right click, click on your new action - and the text will remain in the file.

8. Speech Synthesis

Do you have any document or article from the internet, to get acquainted with which there is no time? Surpass the text in audio format and make Mac to read it to you.

1. Create a new Automator file type of "quick action".
2. Set "The process gets the current" to "Auto (text)" in any program.
3. Add the effect of "Text to Audio File". Select a voice that you feel the most pleasant, and the location where to save the recording.

Select any text in a document or on a Web page and select the "Text to Audio File" menu in the "Services". Automator will save the audio in AIFF format. Now you can easily throw it on the iPhone and listen, while you're standing in a traffic jam.

9. Upload images from the page in the browser

The right to click on each picture on the page in the browser and save everything manually, it is better to proceed as follows.

1. Create a new Automator file type "Plan".
2. Add the action "Get the contents of the web pages."
3. Next - "Save the image of the web content." Choose where to save them.

Now open any web page in Safari and start your action Automator. All images from the page will be saved in the Downloads. However, the method does not work on some sites.

10. Congratulations friends birthday

If you belong to the lucky ones who have a lot of friends and acquaintances, then you know how easy it is to forget to congratulate some of them on the holiday.

1. Create a new Automator file type "Event Calendar."
2. Add the action "Find contacts birthday."
3. Then - "Send congratulations on his birthday." You can enter any text and make a postcard.
4. Save the file, Automator, and then open the application "Calendar" on the Mac. Automator actions will appear in the list of today's events in a separate calendar. Adjust it so that it is repeated every day.

Now Automator will check daily whether there is somebody you know has a birthday. And if the event is found, the person will be sent to letter with a card.

Around the same way you can be taught Mac to congratulate your friends and Happy New Year. And then during the holidays can be general, not to go to the post office.