Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Automator Workflow Types
When you create a new workflow, a dialog asks you to choose a document type. Here's
what the options mean:
•
Workflow:
An ordinary workflow that runs only in the Automator app.
•
Application:
A
stand-alone,
double-clickable
app
(which
can
also
function as a droplet that operates on items you drop onto it).
•
Service:
A program that's available anywhere on your Mac but that
operates only on certain kinds of data. (See
Use Services for System-wide
Shortcuts
, earlier in this chapter, and the sidebar
Create Your Own
•
Print Plugin:
Also known as a PDF workflow, this is a command that
appears in the pop-up menu at the bottom of Print dialogs—that is,
instead of sending a file directly to your printer, you can send it to an
Automator workflow as a PDF.
•
Folder Action:
A workflow that operates on the contents of a specific
folder when those contents change. This is similar to an AppleScript folder
action (see
Use AppleScript Folder Actions
).
•
Calendar Alarm:
When you set an alarm in Calendar, your choices
are normally Message, Message with Sound, Email, or Open File. This
workflow type gives you another option—trigger a workflow at the alarm
time.
•
Image Capture Plugin:
The Image Capture app accepts input from
scanners and digital cameras. With a workflow of this type, whatever
comes in via Image Capture can be processed by Automator.
If you choose the wrong type when you created a workflow, you can change it;
choose File > Convert To, select a different type, and click Choose. Make any needed
adjustments and save the new workflow.
Learn More about Automator
If you want to learn much more about working with Automator:
• For a quick and interesting tutorial, start with Apple's
Mac Basics: Automator
page.
• See the
Automator
portion of the Mac OS X Automation site.
• Read Neil North's
Automator for Mac OS X: Tutorial and Examples
.
