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Questions tagged [automator]

An application developed by Apple for macOS that implements the creation of workflows.

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16 views

Toggle natural scrolling [duplicate]

On macOS 13, I'm trying to: Open the Trackpad preferences pane Toggle over to the Scroll and Zoom tab Toggle the Natural scrolling to the opposite of whatever it currently is I don't care how I ...
0 votes
1 answer
22 views

Automator: Error when running a Word Count service in TextEdit

I followed a brief step-by-step guide for adding word count functionality to TextEdit. Note that the guide instructs: "It will ask you to choose a type for your document; click Service". ...
1 vote
1 answer
939 views

Is it possible to close a script with a keypress?

In AutoHotKey, using the keyword "ExitApp" can allow the user to stop a script with a keypress. For example, Esc::ExitApp can stop a script by pressing "esc". Now, with a ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Move an application window to a specific desktop with AppleScripts

Does anyone know how to move an application window to a specific desktop with AppleScripts? I am asking this because I want to automate the following process, for example: move the 1st window of ...
3 votes
1 answer
944 views

Could not create graphics context error in automator

I want to make rotation in many images but I have the error Could not create graphics context. (I have same error with jpg) What's the reason for this?
6 votes
2 answers
10k views

Create Automator Service With a Python Script?

I'm trying to create an Automator Service that will act on selected text, converting dashes to spaces, and also making word caps for all the text. A friend gave me this python script (I know nothing ...
1 vote
1 answer
50 views

Automator Keeps Opening Multiple Untitled Files [duplicate]

Exactly what the title says. Whenever I open Automator, by clicking on its icon, it keeps opening multiple files (Untitled, Untitled 2, Untitled 3). When I attempt to close them it asks me if I want ...
-1 votes
0 answers
26 views

Automate a slider option in Shortcuts or Automator for iPhone app

I would like to know how I can create an apple Shortcut or an Apple Automator script / workflow that will automatically move the bottom 3 sliders on the main screen of a an app called iRISCO every ...
0 votes
0 answers
13 views

How can I detect if an external monitor is connected (HDMI, DP, USB-C) and then start a program/workflow?

I want to launch a specific program or workflow if an external display gets connected to my MacBook (M1) in any way (HDMI, DP, USB-C). I know there is Hazel for folder specific stuff and Automator, ...
0 votes
1 answer
327 views

Disable TimeMachine with AppleScript and Automator on Monterey?

I was using an App created with Automator to quikly disable and enable Time Machine backups on my Mac with just one click. I was using a command that for some reason seems to doesn't work since I ...
2 votes
4 answers
583 views

Shortcut to translate selected text

any hint on how to create a keyboard shortcut to translate a selected text in Safari (or, even better, in any app?)
1 vote
1 answer
50 views

How to launch an Application with a keyboard shortcut?

Using only built-in functionality, how can I launch an Application such as Terminal by key command?
2 votes
0 answers
2k views

Using Applescript to execute Javascript in Chrome and set a value to a variable

I'm building a service through Automator. So I'm trying to execute this bit of Javascript in Chrome and set the clipboard to the value of one of the variables. Essentially it is grabbing the contents ...
0 votes
1 answer
37 views

I don't seem to have Automator?

From what I gather, Automator is just part of macOS. Everywhere I search seems to assume I just have it. I go to Spotlight, type in Automator, it shows up with an app icon which gives me hope. I hit ...
0 votes
3 answers
69 views

Is there an easy way to automatically schedule a move of files matching a certain pattern from a user directory to a USB drive?

I'm looking to automate a backup process that involves transporting backup files (with names in the form "*.savf") first onto a Mac Mini (running Yosemite), and then, once they're on the ...
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Requirements to use 'open -b "bundle.id" ' for OS X

I have a post install script which opens and runs my application silently. The app was made using Automator and basically runs an Applescript which in turn runs a Bash script embedded from the app ...
1 vote
2 answers
167 views

Fixing "not allowed to send keystrokes" error in Automator workflow

MacOS Ventura 13.3 but I have had some form of this problem on and off for a couple years. I have a simple workflow that types the current date in ISO 8601 format, it is a single AppleScript action ...
0 votes
1 answer
51 views

Automator - Modify the results of Get Image URLs from Webpage

I'm trying to modify the results of a list of 30 items from "Get Image URLs on Webpage". For example: "https://dspncdn.com/a1/media/236x/82/58/da/8258da274aa4b81ab00c9c92cf5bcf50.jpg&...
2 votes
0 answers
28 views

in MacOS Ventura, how to create a desktop shortcut (or other non-keyboard shortcut) to summon Text-To-Speech controller? [duplicate]

A little background: I'm helping a friend who had a stroke a few years ago and who has global aphasia; as a result it's very difficult for his brain to consistently derive meaning from written words ...
0 votes
1 answer
396 views

Automator Applescript - Use 1 Ask For Finder Item Selection for two different Actions

I'm working on an Automator Application where the bit I'm up to has a finder selection window open within the App - Telestream Switch. My Next steps would be: 1 Ask For Finder Item 2 Copy Path Name 3 ...
0 votes
1 answer
292 views

How to output results of an AppleScript image resizing script and display in automator

I am currently using an automator flow that copies finder items, changes them to jpeg, reveals them, and then runs an applescript that presents a dialog for batch resizing by image width. Every now ...
0 votes
1 answer
20 views

Automator (Applescript) and Pages: "could not be interpreted as a file URL."

I have the following applescript as the sole component of an Automator app: on run {input, parameters} repeat with theFile in input tell application "Pages" set ...
-1 votes
1 answer
445 views

Automator / Apple Script to turn on Do Not Disturb while Screen Share

Didn't manage to find any online. I am using Mac OS 11.5 Big Sur. I would like to have "Do Not Disturb" turned on (no notifications) whenever I am screen sharing (Google Meet, etc.). Any ...
-1 votes
0 answers
24 views

[Automator]how to introduce requested text in an applescript? [duplicate]

I open an Automator's workflow in which i open action: ask text 1)how to introduce requested text in an applescript whose code is: tell application "Google Chrome" activate open ...
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

Automator : Every time I paste an action, I get : “AppleScript Error; can’t make «class” until Automator becomes unresponsive

Running MacOS Ventura 13.3.1 I'm new to Automator and AppleScript. I'm trying to write a Workflow/Service that scans a Microsoft Word document to replace dozens of words with abbreviations. As such, ...
1 vote
1 answer
127 views

USB Overdrive how to use a modifier key to change the macro executed

On my Mac I use USB Overdrive to assign the macros CmdShift[ or ] to switch tabs quickly with my mouse's side buttons. I wanted to know if it was possible to make it so that when I am holding down a ...
2 votes
2 answers
128 views

Create Thumbnail of 1st Page of a PDF

I use an Automator application to move pdf files to a directory, then copy them to another directory, then convert the copy into a thumbnail using only the 1st page, with the file name remaining ...
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to render only first page in PDF as image and then resize?

I've really stuck on how to do this, I thought it would be easy, but maybe not! I want to create a small thumbnail image from the first page of a pdf in automator so I can batch convert a load of ...
0 votes
2 answers
186 views

Looking to take a fixed screenshot at intervals while changing the page in safari for a book

I am trying to screenshot all the pages of a textbook i have online. I am opening the book in safari, all i want is to automate in some way the ability to take a fixed location screenshot at intervals ...
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is 'Automator Application Stub' on my macbook pro?

After updating to macOS Monterey my macbook pro (13-inch, 2017) started running slow. When looking at the software->Applications in System information I seen application name "Automator ...
1 vote
2 answers
534 views

How to use Applescript to open a printer app and select items within?

I have absolutely no knowledge or experience in using Applescript or Automator. I'm hoping by using either to create an app (or script) that will print a test page off my printer automatically. I know ...
0 votes
2 answers
439 views

Add custom right-click Desktop context action on Mac [duplicate]

I have seen variations of this question asked about 50 times, but never from the "Desktop". All are asking how to add right-click contextual actions from "Finder" or something else....
31 votes
10 answers
64k views

Create a new (.txt) File in Finder - Keyboard Shortcut

I wanted to know if there is way to set keyboard shortcuts to make new files in Finder. For example, by default, you can create a new folder using CMD+Shift+N. Is there a keyboard shortcut to create a ...
0 votes
1 answer
62 views

How do I modify the folder screenshots are saved to in this AppleScript in Automator?

This apple script seems to be doing exactly what I wanted it to do, (save screenshots both to a file location and to the clipboard) but I can't for the life of me figure out how to change this script ...
0 votes
0 answers
52 views

Using AppleScript to import emails from Canary Mail to DEVONthink 3

I'm trying to use AppleScript to import emails from Canary Mail into DEVONthink 3 on my Mac. When I run the script below I get the error message: Expected “,” but found identifier. I have also tried ...
0 votes
1 answer
114 views

An Automator or AppleScript to convert TextEdit documents into Apple Notes

I have an awfully bad habit of working with 100s of open TextEdit files on my macOS desktop, dropping in various bits of content I find or thoughts that I want to keep every day, I've been doing it ...
0 votes
0 answers
36 views

The bash script in mac automator works for texts in Chrome, but not in Safari

Here is the code: if [ "$@" != "" ]; then timestamp="$(date +%Y-%m-%d' '%H:%M:%S)" dictlink="dict://$(echo $@ | sed 's/ /%20/')" ahref="<A ...
2 votes
1 answer
294 views

Terminal command to enable / disable Stage Manager in the new System Settings in macOS Ventura

I am trying to write an automation using either Bash or AppleScript, to enable / disable Stage Manager, and this looks quite difficult to achieve. I cannot find much documentation around since in ...
1 vote
1 answer
56 views

How can I launch an Automator workflow simply by clicking on its Finder icon?

I'm running Big Sur 11.7.5. I have created a workflow with Automator (it's an AppleScript workflow, if that matters). It exists on my disk with the name "my.workflow". I just want to double-...
1 vote
0 answers
68 views

Command-line to use Remove Background action of MacOS Ventura

I want to use the quick action: Remove Background, which is available in the Finder of MacOS Ventura (right click -> quick actions -> Remove Background) Does someone know how to do it with a ...
0 votes
1 answer
147 views

Can an Automator workflow generate an Application?

I'm building a "Wizard" of sorts that uses Automator and some Appliescript, and at the end I would like it to generate an "Automator Application" that does things when launched, ...
1 vote
1 answer
192 views

How to resize multiple photos (batch) in Apple Photos app on macOS

Having 1 TB of photos and videos in Photos.app, one might want to resize some old photos or even videos so that the changes are perfectly (keeping all metadata) updated in the Photos.app and the ...
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Adding the Print Document Option To The Right-Click Contextual Menu?

In Windows it is possible to print a document on the desktop by right-clicking on it and choosing Print Document in the contextual menu that appears. By default this option is unfortunately not given ...
1 vote
1 answer
239 views

Automator application script not working when scheduled from "not on the screen" user

I have an Automator script (app) that simply does few clicks in an app. This script is launched via a calendar event. The script is scheduled and run from a different admin account than the account ...
1 vote
1 answer
82 views

Launch DMG drive script failing after restart

I have an automation (screenshots of it here: https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0bB-1AiIWdJc1jmkfdjRbsAVA#Launch_Plex_Media_Automation_ )saved as an app in Automator with the following AppleScripts ...
3 votes
1 answer
41 views

How to start an application when iPad is connected?

I would like to start an application (Duet.app) installed on my macOS 10.14.5 whenever I plug my iPad to the USB port. I tried to do it with Automator, but I have no experience.
1 vote
1 answer
142 views

Shortcut to toggle Bluetooth in Montery via blueutil shell script executed with AppleScript in BetterTouchTool

I have set the Mission Control key in BetterTouchTool to execute an AppleScript and it worked fine before the update from Mojave to Montery which I just did do shell script "../bluetoggle.sh"...
0 votes
1 answer
82 views

Unable to load a workflow as a service using launchctl in macOS

I am trying to load a workflow as a service using launchctl on macOS (Ventura 13.2.1), but I am encountering an error message. The workflow is located at /Users/rohan/Library/Services/open-bluetooth-...
0 votes
2 answers
79 views

Shell script application bundle prompts for Rosetta installation

I exported the following line of AppleScript code into an macOS application via the "Script Editor": do shell script "open '/Applications/Google Chrome.app' --args --proxy-server=...
0 votes
0 answers
53 views

What can be done to make programs startup faster?

I bought a new MacBook Air with an M1 chip. When I launch programs, they don't launch immediately. First, the icon bounces for a few seconds, and only after that, I can see the program window. I found ...

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