Apple’s Automator App for Mac is a very useful tool that can help you speed up activities. Even if you don’t know anything about programming, there are built-in functions that can help you create a workflow.
The drag and drop interface feature of the Automator makes programming these tasks for a beginner a lot easier. The Automator works with Mac OS X and can save you a lot of time on repetitive tasks.
Here is a list of some of the tasks that Apple’s Automator can help you do to speed up your activities:
Create a Workflow
Once opened, to create a workflow, all you need to do is drag and drop items from the list on the left-hand side of the application into the workflow area or station. These actions are like puzzle pieces and can be stacked one on another until your desired workflow is completed with all the necessary steps.
Automator Can Help You Save Text as Audio
Automator can help you quickly save text files in audio format. All you need do is open an application that has the text you want to be converted. Select the text and open services from Automator. Go straight to the Save text as audio to begin the process.
Batch Rename Finder Items or Files
Repetitive tasks are part of our daily routine. To save time and make your work faster, the Automator can help rename batch files or items that would have taken forever to name one after the other.
It is designed to make repetitive task very easy. With the Automator, hours of work can be saved. Once in the workflow area, click on the “Get specified items” action. In the next window click on the files that you would love to rename and add them. Once you have added them, the next thing to do is to click run and the Automator will rename the files according to the predefined name you set in the Rename Finder Section.
Run Multiple PDF Files
The workflow area can help you quickly run or stack multiple PDF files all in one place. After the workflow is run, a single PDF file will display on your desktop that contains the multiple PDF files selected. They will all look digitally stapled to each other like the pictorial example displayed below.
Script your Own Actions
If for some reason the task you need to be done is not listed in the built-in list of actions within the Automator system, you can add your own script to make things easy for you. Scripts such as Applescript and Javascript can sync into your workflow area. Just add the appropriate action in the workflow area then enter and run your script.
Quickly Print Multiple Documents
If you have numerous documents to print, automate the task with Automator. Just select them from the workflow area and allow to run. Documents will be printed in no time.
These are just some of the numerous repetitive tasks the Automator can do. The application can also create thumbnails and resize images, download movies from open sites in safari, set birthday reminders and a host of other functions.
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