Automator workflow cannot be triggered.

Hello,
I created a few Automator workflows. they all work fine when I launch automator and click "run".
When I try to trigger the workflow via another software (like "Hazel" or Mail rules) it just doesn't run. I do see the little menubar icon rolling but nothing happens.
Any ideas what can cause it and how I can solve it?
Thank you,
Ofir

I tried using a Mail rule to launch an Automator workflow that had been saved as an application. That does not work. I think it is because the rule creator in Mail only gives you the option of running an Applescript.
Here's what I am going to test next but have not had time to yet. Perhaps you will get a chance before I do. Create the workflows using Automator as usual and save them as applications. Now create an Applescript that will run and launch the appropriate workflows.
Check out this article for an example of what I mean http://www.atpm.com/12.08/automator.shtml Look at the Tying Everything Together section. The items in quotation marks in that script are the titles of various Automator workflows.

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Declarative workflows cannot automatically start if the triggering action was performed by System Account

Hi ,
I have very strange problem .Only in one site collection across the farm i am getting this error while starting OOTB workflow in list. Everywhere else it works, even another site collection within same web application. I have stopped and restarted all the
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sachin

Errors in ULS logs
Declarative workflows cannot automatically start if the triggering action was performed by System Account. Canceling workflow auto-start. List Id: %s, Item Id: %d, Workflow Association
Id: %s
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at Microsoft.SharePoint.SPUserCollection.get_Item(String loginName)
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at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWorkflowNoCodeSupport.LoadWorkflowBytesElevated(SPWeb web, Guid docLibID, Int32 fileID, Int32 fileVer, Int32& userid, DateTime&
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at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWorkflowNoCodeSupport.<>c__DisplayClass1.<LoadWorkflowBytes>b__0(SPSite elevatedSite, SPWeb elevatedWeb)
at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWorkflowNoCodeSupport.LoadWorkflowBytes(SPWeb web, Guid docLibID, Int32 fileID, Int32 fileVer, Int32& userid)
at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPNoCodeXomlCompiler.LoadXomlAssembly(SPWorkflowAssociation association, SPWeb web)
at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWinOeHostServices.LoadDeclarativeAssembly(SPWorkflowAssociation association)
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at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWinOeEngine.RunWorkflow(SPWorkflowHostService host, SPWorkflow workflow, Collection`1 events, TimeSpan timeOut)
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Microsoft.SharePoint.SPException: User cannot be found.
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at Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWinOeHostServices.LoadDeclarativeAssembly(SPWorkflowAssociation association)
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The emailenable value is true. And it just does not work for one site collection. It should not be regarding any hot fix.
Thank you for your suggestions and time. I will dig up further.
sachin

Cannot manually select Automator workflows in iCal

I know That the Way, Apple intends that we create an Automator workflow as an iCal alarm is to create a new iCal alarm in Automator, and once you save it it automatically creates a new event in iCal. Unfortunately, that's not the way I want to work… I already have dozens of iCal alarms configured, and I'm trying to prep them for Mountain Lion: the currently open AppleScript's but all of my Apple scripts need to be converted to Automator workflows for Mountain Lion. So I was hoping to quickly duplicate previous iCal workflows, then reselect them from within existing events in iCal. Sadly, all of my iCal Automator workflows appear as greyed out in my File Open dialog when attempting to select a new file to run within my iCal alert.
I don't want to have to delete all of my iCal alarms and start over creating them anew. Perhaps I am missing something simple?

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4082
http://www.macworld.com/article/1165641/how_increased_mac_security_measures_will _impact_applescript.html
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4139323?start=0&tstart=0
according to the first link I can save the applecript as an application. It doesn't answer why my automator workflows are greyed out when I try to select them, but maybe I'll just try saving as applications... sounds simpler.

Automator Workflow Fails with Cryptic Error Message

I'm updating an Automator workflow for OS X Lion that I initally developed and used, without issue, in OS X Tiger. The workflow asks for a name, creates a folder for the name, takes a digital image with a Nikon D50 connected to the computer, and saves the image to the new folder. This aspect of the workflow works fine.
I then have a prompt asking if we should take another. If the user says "yes," the script should take another image and save it to the folder. This is where I run into an issue. When I attempt to add another "Take a Picture Action" into the workflow, I get the cryptic (at least to me) error message in the attached screenshot.
Here's the text:
"Cannot update for observer <AMWorkflow 0x400458ac0> for the key path "parameters.name" from <TakePicture 0x403e3b0a0>, most likely because the value for the key "parameters" has changed without an appropriate KVO notification being sent. Check the KVO-compliance of the TakePicture class."
The language of this error would seem to indicate a bug. Any thoughts on a fix or the means to report to Apple?

The subject of this post is a bit misleading. The workflow wasn't failing while I was running it, but rather when I was editing it and trying to include another 'Take a Picture' action in the same workflow.
The workaround I found was to use a 'Loop' action on the 'Take a Picture' action. It's a bit more elegant and doesn't require multiple 'Take a Picture' actions in the same workflow.
Nonetheless, what does this error message mean?

Automator/Workflow actions are in "slow-motion" under Mac OS X 10.6.x

Hi,
after the update to SL some of my Automator Workflows dont work properly.
I do things like copy some part of sentence from a .rtf document and insert it into a input box of a website in firefox.
In 10.5.8 everything worked like a charm. But in 10.6.x the same workflow (also new created) works some times and the other time it slows down and the cursor moves like a slow-motion. Pixel for pixel and i cannot stop the workflow. I only can wait until the workflow is finished (takes in "slow-down" mode 30 minutes) or i do a hardreset. I wonder if anyone else such of this problems with automator under 10.6
I tested the same things with my mac mini that i didnt upgraded and it works like expected.
I think you can reproduce the behaviour, if you create a new .rtf document with numbers from one to twelve and make a workflow where you mark 4 letters, cut, bring firefox to front, paste into form, go to .rtf, mark next 4 letters, cut, go to firefox, paste into form, doing that until there are no more letters.
very curious...

the whole automator and in particular the record action was substantially rewritten in snow leopard. and the record action is slow, unreliable and you can't trouble-shoot it. it's a wonder it works at all. the only advice i can give is to use it as little as possible. if at all possible avoid it altogether. if you do need to use it try using keyboard strokes instead of the mouse movement. for example. use command+c and command+v for copying and pasting and use tabbing to choose the correct box on the page.

Automator/Workflow slow downs under Mac OS X 10.6

Hi,
after the update to SL some of my Automator Workflows dont work properly.
I do things like copy some part of sentence from a .rtf document and insert it into a input box of a website in firefox.
In 10.5.8 everything worked like a charm. But in 10.6 the same workflow (also new created) works some times and the other time it slows down and the cursor moves like a stopmotion movie. Pixel for pixel and i cannot stop the workflow. I only can wait until the workflow is finished (takes in "slow-down" mode 30 minutes) or i do a hardreset. I wonder if anyone else such of this problems with automator under 10.6
I tested the same things with my mac mini that i didnt upgraded and it works like expected.
I think you can reproduce the behaviour, if you create a new .rtf document with numbers from one to twelve and make a workflow where you mark 4 letters, cut, bring firefox to front, paste into form, go to .rtf, mark next 4 letters, cut, go to firefox, paste into form, doing that until there are no more letters.
very curious...

none of mine work!
irritating.... let me know if you find a fix or if we just have to wait for 10.6.1....

Application has disappeared, turning into automator workflow

I usually can get to the bottom of a problem like this without any assistance, but this has me stymied.
In my applications folder, I've had and used for years, a Photoshop application pure and simple. But recently, when I tried to access it, I found that it always opened as an Automator workflow (having a reference to the Photoshop app). The Photoshop icon had been replaced with a workflow icon. Get Info on that workflow identifies it as the Photoshop application, with an appropriate size of some 50 MB.
I've used Automator a few times, but not for a long time, and I don't recollect having created a workflow referencing Photoshop. But I thought little of this, as I have two backups of the main
drive and an install disk for the Photoshop.
I did find the Photoshop application on both of the backups. I tried to copy those to the Applications Folder on the main drive, with the maddening result that the Photoshop app turned into an Automator workflow on all three drives!
Using the CD originally used to install Photoshop, I set out to re-install it. But the CD contents (which can't be changed) now show only the Automator workflow!
As the most recent step, I trashed Automator on one drive, but that made no difference whatsoever -- except now I get an Alert saying that the workflow file cannot be opened on this machine.
What on earth might be going on here?

Get Info on that workflow identifies it as the Photoshop application, with an appropriate size of some 50 MB.
Hmmm, my Adobe Photoshop CS3.app is 59.3MB inside the Package contents, but 217MB for the Package Adobe Photoshop CS3.app
I think you have some corruption, how much I don't know, but...
Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions...
Reset Launch Services...
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/resetlaunchservices.html#Anchor-Reset-47857
Reboot.
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.

Automator workflow launches itself all the time - even after being trashed!

I created a while back a automator workflow that I would use to crop images (in order to use them as avatars online). It didn't work so well so I trashed it.
My problem is that now, whenever I save a .pdf file or a .doc file, said workflow will launch itself. Of course, my computer cannot find it (it is long gone). I don't know how I can stop my computer from remembering it. Obviously I haven't trashed it completely. What can I do? It is starting to get really annoying.

I'm not a power user when it comes to Automator, so I might sound a little silly with my explanations. Also, I might not remember it all perfectly.
I'm pretty sure I trashed the .app I created. And by trashing I mean putting it in the trash and emptying the trash. When I discovered it was still launching itself, I used Spotlight to locate another file (I think it was in the library) that sported the same name but with a different extension (not sure what it was, but the icon was a blank page). I trashed it the same way, but it didn't do the trick.
To sum it up I trashed all the files that had the name of that stupid workflow and it is still out there.

How to apply multiple automator workflows to one file

Hi everyone,
I've set up a few workflow applications to automate the process of making packshots from PDF files. The way those roughly work is they create a temporary copy in a folder, open a Photoshop droplet that executes all the actions on the file, and then save the finished product in a "finished" folder.
However, we frequently need to deliver multiple packshots made from the same file. I was asked to make one automator app that allowed us to drop the PDF version on it, resulting in the multiple types of packshots in the "finished" folder, together with the original PDF.
The way I have this set up right now is as follows:
1) Copy the original PDF file to the "finished" folder
2) Execute the first automator app
3) Execute the second automator app
This seems simple enough, and does work in 10.6.8. When I try it on a different computer in our studio though, with 10.7 installed, I get various errors:
- Sometimes it says an error occured within one of the automator apps, while the app works fine when running it seperately (on all computers).
- Sometimes it says something like "An error occurred while converting the data" when moving on from the first application to the second application
- Sometimes I'll get an error message in the log, saying:
*** -[_NSArrayl objectAtIndex:]: index 0 beyond bounds for empty array
What I got from this is that it's actually not getting the right input it requires (or not getting any input, since it's an empty array). However, the previous task is set to "return the task input" (our systems are Dutch so excuse me for any discrepancies in translations please), and the resulting output that I get seems to be what I want the next automator application to use. Below is a screenshot of the error message:
What I've tried:
- I read somewhere that the newer versions of Automator require the action "Retrieve selected finder items" between them. I've tried using this in various ways (between all other actions/tasks, only before the second application to be run and before both applications to be run), but with no success. The problem I have with these is that, during the applications, it moves the files around, thus apparently selecting those folders as well.
- Building an entirely new workflow on the newer system
- Using "Start application" instead of "Execute Automator workflow". This results in Automator saying that it did execute the workflow while nothing happened.
- Using "Ignore input" for the second application. This also results in Automator saying that it executed the workflow while nothing happened.
So right now, I'm pretty stumped as to how to get this combination of apps to work in 10.7. Any solutions or workarounds are most welcome.
Thanks in advance!

Yes, angelanna. You can merge or split your video file via FCP sequence.
ahaah, maybe I think angelanna would like to get the resulting file with MTS format because he mentioned “No need to be compressed”. Are you asking for this, angelanna?
If so, a simple MTS files managing and editing tool is needed. Maybe you can have a try the Mac version of Aunsoft Final Mate for managing HD camcorder footages. I just downloaded its free trial version and it offers a simple way of garping footages directly from camcorder. And also it provides a attractive feature to join flawlessly and split accurately native MTS files for video file output with original MTS format.
Maybe this is the tool cwhich an help you out, angelanna.
Enjoy your video.

This workflow cannot be imported because it was created in SharePoint Designer for a different Site

Hello everyone. I am getting this error when attempting to move minor workflow changes from mirror SharePoint development / production environments and hoping someone can help me.
"This workflow cannot be imported because it was created in SharePoint Designer for a different site, or the original workflow has been moved or deleted. To move a workflow between sites, use Save as Template (.wsp file) instead of a Visio workflow
drawing."
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particularly and would like to export/import rather than re-created from scratch.
I've successfully created the form template and imported. This created the necessary list items nicely and the form appears to work as expected. However, when attempting to import the .VWI file exported from dev SharePoint, I am getting the above
error. If I change the .VWI to .zip and remove the "workflow.xoml.wfconfig.xml" file, then re-zip and change the file extension back to .VWI I get a dialog that allows me to import, but I have to choose a new name and much of the related content
is lost. I need to be able to overwrite/merge the existing workflow with the import. Any suggestions?
One strange thing I ran into was during a test of an export/import from and to the exact same environment. If I simply export to .VWI, then import from .VWI with no changes, SAME everything I still get this error. Very weird. Hoping someone can shed some
light on the subject. Thank you.
Adam Tyler

Hi Adam,
Here is a blog talk about the same issue would be helpful:
http://techiescode.blogspot.com/2014/09/copymove-sharepoint-2010-designer.html
Best Regards
Dennis Guo
TechNet Community Support

Automator workflow no longer works on 10.7

Hi. I've been using an Automator workflow for years: it opens iTunes, looks for a specific radio station, sets iTunes volume, sets Computer volume, starts iTunes playing and runs a small Applescript script to close the folder if it was open.
This has been running for years. Upgraded to 10.7 and it stopped working. It seems to launch, but nothing happens.
I recreated the same workflow, and I can run it: it states that every step is "Completed". But it really doesn't work!!!
What should I try next? (Windows 8???)

Hi Frank. Thanks for the response.
(Mentioning Windows 8 was a joke, as I'm sure you know! ;-)
Here's what the workflow looks like; you'll note the "all green" log at the bottom!
By the way, when I run it, iTunes does launch; but it doesn't play anything. And there IS a WCPE entry; it's a radio station that is in the list of radio stations/Classical and that entry has also been copied to one of my playlists.
The workflow was created as an application and it's run when I power up the Mac.
Thanks for your interest and advice!

Getting File Name in Automator workflow - combine PDF

I am using Automator to combine 2 PDF files.
I would like to inherit one of the file names in the new PDF and append a standard text to the front of the file name.
I am not sure how to do this. I can combine the PDFs the way I would like, but I am not sure how to plick the file name.
my workflow is as follows.
Folder Action targets folder where 1st PDF is added(I want this FILE NAME).
Ger Specified finder item selects 2nd PDF to be combined.
Sort Finder Items makes sure the new PDF pages are ordered properly.
Combine PDF Pages combines the pages.
Move Finder Items saves the files where i want it.
Name single item is whre i thought to add my standard text plus the variable of FILE NAME.
Open File in mail to set up my email.
Anyone can help with this?
thanks,
Aaron

Here is an automator workflow that does something similar so I believe you can adapt to your needs. This workflow is setup as a service workflow. It will combine PDFs in the order in which they are selected/clicked via the Shift key. The default name of the combined output file will be the name of the first file clicked. Automator can be activated by CTRL clicking any of the selected PDFs.
1. Service receives PDF files in Finder
2. Automator Action: Run AppleScript
on run {input, parameters}
          display dialog "Files will be combined in the order selected via the Shift key" as text
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end run
3.. Automator Action: Trim input items
keep the first one
you will need to download and install this autotmator action from here:
http://www.menace-enterprises.com/Files/Automator/Actions/Trim%20Input%20Items.d mg
4. Automator Action: Run AppleScript
(* Note & Definitions
This Applescript extracts the basename of the first selected file without its .pdf extension
"path_basename_ext" is full path and name, e.g. User/desktop/file.pdf
"NmExt" is filename with extension, e.g. file.pdf
"baseName" is the base filename without extension, e.g. file
"Ext" is the file's extension, e.g. pdf
on run {input, parameters}
          set path_basename_ext to input
          tell (info for path_basename_ext) to set {NmExt, Ext} to {name, name extension}
          set baseName to text 1 thru ((get offset of "." & Ext in NmExt) - 1) of NmExt
baseName
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end run
5. Automator Action: Set Value of Variable
define baseName as the variable
6. Automator Action: Get selected finder items
Options: check ignore input
7. Automator Action: Combine PDF pages
choose Combine by appending
8. Automator Action: Move Finder Items
choose To: Desktop
Options: check show this action when workflow runs
9. Name Single Items
choose Basename only to: baseName
Options: check show this action when workflow runs
10. Open Finder Items

Workflow not getting triggered from webdynpro event

Hello gurus,
I have a requirement in which if an employee changes his own information on the ESS portal, then an approval should be done by HR. For this i created a custom webdynpro application in which i fetch the employee data and check it with old data in one view and when user clicks save button the approval workflow should be triggered.
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Regards,
Yayati Ekbote

Hello Ricardo,
Thanks for immediate reply. Yes, the linkage is active in SWE2. My custom object type is ZHRAD and event is change. I also tried the FM 'SAP_WAPI_CREATE_EVENT'. But in this FM the event also doesn't get triggered. Using FM 'SWE_CREATE_EVENT' atleast triggers the event. I debugged the FM. The container inside the FM is remaining initial. I am posting my code which i am using.
DATA: pernr TYPE pa0001-pernr VALUE '40000001'.
DATA: objtype   TYPE swr_struct-object_typ VALUE 'ZHRADCHO',
        objkey    TYPE sweinstcou-objkey,
        event     TYPE swr_struct-event VALUE 'CHANGE',
        it_wfcont TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF swcont,
        wa_wfcont TYPE swcont,
        event_id TYPE swedumevid-evtid,
        ret_code TYPE swedumevid-evtid.
wa_wfcont-element = 'PERNR'.
wa_wfcont-value = '40000001'.
APPEND wa_wfcont TO it_wfcont.
wa_wfcont-element = 'SUBTY'.
wa_wfcont-value = '1'.
APPEND wa_wfcont TO it_wfcont.
wa_wfcont-element = 'ENDDA'.
wa_wfcont-value = sy-datum.
APPEND wa_wfcont TO it_wfcont.
wa_wfcont-element = 'BEGDA'.
wa_wfcont-value = sy-datum.
APPEND wa_wfcont TO it_wfcont.
objkey = pernr.
CALL FUNCTION 'SWE_EVENT_CREATE'
EXPORTING
    objtype                       = objtype
    objkey                        = objkey
    event                         = event
*   CREATOR                       = ' '
*   TAKE_WORKITEM_REQUESTER       = ' '
*   START_WITH_DELAY              = ' '
*   START_RECFB_SYNCHRON          = ' '
*   NO_COMMIT_FOR_QUEUE           = ' '
*   DEBUG_FLAG                    = ' '
*   NO_LOGGING                    = ' '
*   IDENT                         =
* IMPORTING
*   EVENT_ID                      =
*   RECEIVER_COUNT                =
TABLES
   EVENT_CONTAINER               = it_wfcont
EXCEPTIONS
   OBJTYPE_NOT_FOUND             = 1
   OTHERS                        = 2
IF sy-subrc <> 0.
MESSAGE ID SY-MSGID TYPE SY-MSGTY NUMBER SY-MSGNO
         WITH SY-MSGV1 SY-MSGV2 SY-MSGV3 SY-MSGV4.
ENDIF.
COMMIT WORK.

Workflow not getting triggered from Action definition in CRMD_ORDER

Hello Experts,
I have created a workflow which should send mail to partner team in a Change Request.This workflow should be triggered when a particular Zaction is performed on the CR.Zaction is created properly and my workflow is also assigned to it.I have also followed OSS note-733675 and created a workflow container with name "BUSINESSOBJECT" to get the application data into my workflow when the action is performed.My workflow is a background processing one.
I have tested it separately by providing GUID foreground and it works perfectly fine and mail is sent to partner team.But when i perform the action,mails are not getting triggered nor the workflow.I am not even able to check the logs.I am not even able to know if all the action has triggered my workflow.Kindly help.Would appreciate your contribution.
Regds
VLP

Please check in SWI2_FREQ whether the Workflow is really getting triggered.
Thanks
Arghadip

Running an automator workflow w/o opening automator

Is it possible to run an automator workflow - (check addressbook for birthdays - then send a card) once a day without having to remember to open automator everyday (the whole point is I forget to do this in the first place, so I'm hoping automator can just take care of it). but I don't want to have to leave automator open all the time... I think I read something about using applescripts, but I havent played with them at all...
Thanks

Hmm, your idea sounds about right. If you created the birthday event in iCal yourself (i.e. it's not the Birthday calendar iCal provides from your Address Book), then you can add an alarm to it. In that case, you have some nice options and effects.
Since you would be adding the alarm to the birthday event, then the Automator workflow won't run every day and will only run when the birthday occurs. As for options, you can set the alarm for the event to activate at a specific time in reference to the event, e.g. the day before or perhaps around noon. (That is somewhat dependent on whether you made the event an all-day event or for a certain time, but it works either way and is pretty self evident.) You could also have it automatically occur a day late or even a week late.
As such, you might consider making the workflow be more specific. You could create a workflow specifically for that birthday, and in that case you'd just specify a person from your Address Book instead of searching it for birthdays. Just depends on how you want to approach it. Regardless, saving the workflow as plug-in in Automator will be the easy way to refer to it as an iCal alarm.
You mentioned iCal popping up reminders and that's an example of what an alarm can do if you set it that way, so you're probably familiar with them. However, you won't see that when you set the alarm to open a file (as in this case) unless you set a second alarm for the event to show a reminder. To add more alarms to the same event in iCal, you can click on the name "alarm" in the info drawer and it will give you a menu to add another alarm. You can also remove extra alarms in the same way. Wasn't sure if you knew that already.

Automator workflow cannot be triggered.

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