Quick Tips: Executing Automator Actions with Ease

Google the phrase “execute Automator workflows” and you’ll find tips on incorporating workflows into existing applications or running them from the command line. The Apple document Mac 101: Automator will give you the basics on saving your workflow as something other than a workflow, but let’s talk about the ways that we incorporate Automator into the everyday use of our Macs. Usually, if you’re a mouse person, you’ll double-click the workflow, Automator will open, and you’ll click the play button to run. In this post I’ve included some time-saving ways to execute Automator actions and incorporate them into the Finder.

One way to run workflows straightaway is to open them with Automator Runner. Right click (ctrl-click) on the workflow to access the Open With menu.

If you find that you’re always using this feature for a certain workflow, you may opt to always open the workflow with Automator Runner. You can enable this by using the same moves listed above, but choose “Other…” instead. Select Automator Runner in System/Library/Core Services and be sure to tic the “Always Open With” box.

Workflows may be incorporated into Finder use by saving the workflow as a Finder plug-in. To do this, choose “Save As Plug-in” from the file menu. Be sure to select “Finder” from the drop down menu. You’ll be able to access the workflow from right clicking (ctrl-click) objects in the finder. This works well if you want to convert image files or move files to the Applications folder with a couple of clicks.

You can also save the workflow as an application. This means that you can execute workflows from the dock, as login items, or from the finder without having to open Automator. I use this to connect to my MBP at home when I startup my Mac Pro at work.

Finally, you could use Quicksilver to execute workflows. Be sure to install the Automator Module as this will allow automatic execution of workflows from the Quicksilver pane. Using Quicksilver means that you can also use keystrokes (aka triggers) to execute workflows.

Automator takes the redundancy out of work on your Mac, and running a workflow doesn’t have to be redundant either. How many times can I say the word redundant before it becomes redundant?