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.

Similar Messages

Can I tell applescript to run an Automator workflow?

I was wondering if there was any way to tell applescript to run my workflow?

Sure there are two ways:
1) save your workflow as an application, then launch it like any other app
2) tell application "Automator" to execute workflow 1
(the latter is an actual AppleScript example that runs the active workflow. There are other ways of specifying which workflow to use, but since you weren't specific in your request I can't be more precise.)

How to run an "Automator" application at regular time intervals

I would like to find out how to run an "Automator" application at regular time intervals, say at every 5 minutes.
Is there any program, AppleScript or any method to do this?
I would very much appreciate a help.
Suwan

save your workflow as an ical plugin, this will automatically insert the workflow into ical,and create a workflow category for it, then just set to repeat every 5 minutes, or save as an APP and use a program called CRONIX (freeware) to run the schedule.

How to run an Automator app at a specific scheduled time?

Hi all,
I know this question has been answered before, but the only info I can find on it is extremely dated.
How can I run an Automator app (rsync backup) at a specific scheduled daily time?

One way is to use launchd. The easiest way is with Lingon (search in the App store)
Then in the run input box use "open" i.e: open "/users/tony/scripts/rsyncbu.app"

Will run in Automator, won't run as Finder plug-in

Here is my setup:
Desktop:Folder A:Folder B
I created a simple Automator workflow to:
move Folder B to the desktop,
copy Folder A to a thumb drive
move Folder B back into Folder A
(I want to copy Folder A to the thumb drive MINUS Folder B)
This script runs within Automator, but when I save it out as a Finder Plug-In and run it via right click, it gives me this error:
"AppleScript Error:
Can't make file "HD:Users:ThisUser:Desktop:Desktop" into type alias.
(-1700)"
This error appears after Folder B is moved the first time, but before Folder A is copied.
Any help?
Matthew

Matthew,
I am not quite sure why you are getting a path in the error message that has a duplicate "Desktop" but that is likely the source of your error.
Generally Automator workflows require some input and with the contextual Finder plug-in that normally means whatever is selected in the Finder at the time the workflow is run. This can be avoided by making the first Automator action ignore any input through selecting the "Ignore Results from Previous Action" command found for example in the Files/Folders drop-down menu at top right of the "Get Specified Finder Items".
Another way to do what you want without having to move folders:
1) Get Specified Finder Items - specify the parent folder of Folder A & B
2) Get Folder Contents
3) Filter Finder Items - specify "Whose" to Name Does not contain Folder B
This should give you a listing of items that includes only Folder A which could then be saved to the thumb drive by using the Copy Finder Items action.

ICal failing to run applescripts: The 'Open' button does not change to 'Run', and the script file is opened but not executed on alert.

iCal failing to run applescripts: The 'Open' button does not change to 'Run', and the script file is opened but not executed.

Calendar (not called iCal anymore) does not include that capability any longer, apparently. What you have to do now is go to Automator and create a Calendar Alert action. You can add a Run AppleScript object to the action and paste in your script there, then when you save it, it will become available as a choice in the alert menu in Calendar.

How do I create a workflow to close open programs and then turn off?

I want to create a workflow where any open programs will be closed and then my Mac will turn itself off. How do I do this?
Cheers.

I don't use Automator, but the following Applescript will do it:
set excludedones to {"loginwindow", "Dock", "SystemUIServer", "MirrorAgent", "UniversalAccess", "iCalAlarmScheduler", "System Events"}
tell application "Finder"
set quitlist to the name of every application process whose file type is "APPL"
end tell
repeat with i from 1 to count of quitlist
set aProcess to item i of quitlist
if aProcess is not in excludedones then
try
tell application aProcess to quit
end try
end if
end repeat
tell application "Finder"
shut down
end tell
Actually the last three lines by themselves would probably do it. Of course if any of the applications have open unsaved documents then you will get the usual dialog about do you want to save them.

"starting workflow" window remains open

Hi,
I create a very simple workflow in sqldeveloper4 for clustering a data source with O_Cluster algorithm. when I run it, "starting workflow" window appears and remains for a long time. I will force to close sqldeveloper from Task Manager to get rid it!
do u have any suggestion?

HI
you need to have the workflow jobs tab open.
to do this first go click on the Tools(I think) then Oracle Data Mining and then click on Make Visible. Then open the workflow jobs tab.
then run your workflow and it should work
(sorry I don't have the tool open in front of me so hopefully you can find these options from the menu)

Workflows are increasing open files in linux

Hi All,
We are facing one major issue when migrating images to DAM. Files are opening exponentially after migrating some 20 to 30k images and server is shutting down.
When we re-start the instance and start migration open files are initially around 2000 suddenly it spikes to 69k with in 5 min and again it is going down. So we cannot even execute the migration after restart also. This env is not in cluster.
When we disable wf and run our piece of code which will create assets and subassets file opening are not going beyond 2100 to 2500 based on this we are assuimg these wf are causing this issue. How can we mitigate this issue. what are the options available to troubleshoot this kind of issue.
we are running only 2 workflows
Dam update asset with first 4 steps (for renditions creation)
Metadata writeback on node modification

Yes Jorg we are running our custom code for migrating assets. Its a service we are calling it in CQ scheduler. We controlled this scheduler such a way that if any workflow instance are in running state it wont start new job. At present by doing this it should not trigeer more than 1000 DAM update asset and 1000 Metadata write back workflows.
we are using Adobe CQ, Version 5.5.0.20120220 Service Pack 2

I have windows xp sp3, run Mcaffee security software- when I open I-tunes it does open however it will not connet to the I-tunes store. I-Tunes diagnostic indicates that it does connect to internet but the secure link to I-Tunes fails.

I have windows xp sp3, run Mcaffee security software- when I open I-Tunes it does open however it will not connet to the I-Tunes store. I-Tunes diagnostic indicates that it does connect to the internet but the secure ling to I-Tunes fails. I-Tunes diagnostic attached. Hope some one can help. Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600) Dell Inc. MP061 iTunes 11.0.2.26 QuickTime 7.7.3 FairPlay 2.3.31 Apple Application Support 2.3.3 iPod Updater Library 10.0d2 CD Driver 2.2.3.0 CD Driver DLL 2.1.3.1 Apple Mobile Device 6.1.0.13 Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.64.0.0 Bonjour 3.0.0.10 (333.10) Gracenote SDK 1.9.6.502 Gracenote MusicID 1.9.6.115 Gracenote Submit 1.9.6.143 Gracenote DSP 1.9.6.45 iTunes Serial Number 0012B5500B576CC8 Current user is an administrator. The current local date and time is 2013-04-28 10:27:11. iTunes is not running in safe mode. WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled. HDCP is not supported. Core Media is supported. Video Display Information ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 **** External Plug-ins Information **** No external plug-ins installed. iPodService 11.0.2.26 is currently running. iTunesHelper 11.0.2.26 is currently running. Apple Mobile Device service 3.3.0.0 is currently running. **** Network Connectivity Tests **** Network Adapter Information Adapter Name: {7282B8D2-078A-4414-82D6-A506F9C935D0} Description: WiMAX Network Adapter - McAfee Core NDIS Intermediate Filter Miniport IP Address: 0.0.0.0 Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0 Default Gateway: DHCP Enabled: Yes DHCP Server: 255.255.255.255 Lease Obtained: Wed Feb 13 12:30:29 2013 Lease Expires: Mon Jan 18 21:14:07 2038 DNS Servers: Adapter Name: {9CE46F79-8015-4C15-A074-B1ACA4388E56} Description: Sierra Wireless Network Adapter - McAfee Core NDIS Intermediate Filter Miniport IP Address: 0.0.0.0 Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0 Default Gateway: DHCP Enabled: Yes DHCP Server: Lease Obtained: Mon Jan 18 21:14:07 2038 Lease Expires: Mon Jan 18 21:14:07 2038 DNS Servers: Adapter Name: {1A876FC9-50B6-4101-8E4F-838AF1D1CB32} Description: Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card - McAfee Core NDIS Intermediate Filter Miniport IP Address: 0.0.0.0 Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0 Default Gateway: DHCP Enabled: Yes DHCP Server: Lease Obtained: Mon Jan 18 21:14:07 2038 Lease Expires: Mon Jan 18 21:14:07 2038 DNS Servers: Adapter Name: {E64A2DD8-7A18-4784-8DC0-08B143E504A7} Description: Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller - McAfee Core NDIS Intermediate Filter Miniport IP Address: 0.0.0.0 Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0 Default Gateway: DHCP Enabled: Yes DHCP Server: 10.0.40.20 Lease Obtained: Thu Aug 23 15:54:15 2012 Lease Expires: Thu Aug 23 17:54:15 2012 DNS Servers: Adapter Name: {2A9F97F5-D693-427F-BA40-9C3AA36937B1} Description: WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface IP Address: 107.42.83.109 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255 Default Gateway: 107.42.83.109 DHCP Enabled: No DHCP Server: Lease Obtained: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969 Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969 DNS Servers: 66.1.77.7 68.29.73.7 Active Connection: Mobile Connected: Yes Online: Yes Using Modem: Yes Using LAN: No Using Proxy: No Firewall Information Windows Firewall is on. iTunes is enabled in Windows Firewall. Connection attempt to Apple web site was unsuccessful. The network connection timed out. Basic connection to the store failed. The network connection timed out. Connection attempt to Gracenote server was successful. The network connection timed out. Last successful iTunes Store access was 2013-04-16 10:14:47.

Hello cor-el, thanks for your reply. I changed my settings for downloads to desktop and it has appeared on there. When I double click I am asked which program I want to open file. I click firefox and another box "opening install" says I have chosen to open the file which is an application and do I want to save it. This is the only real option so I press save file. I get a box saying this is an executable file which may contain viruses - do you want to run. I press ok and the final box showing C drive file name and desktop appears stating application not found.
This happens the same whenever I try to install.
To my untrained eye the application is not being recognised as an application and I cannot work out how to get it to do that.
My plugin is still showing as out of date.
Is there anything you could suggest. Thanks for your time.

When MRP run through background process in MDBT open PR and PO not comming?

Hi,
When MRP run through backgroung process in MDBT open PR and PO not coming in MDBT result.
Pls advise accordingaly.
Regards
rk

Ram,
Either I am totally misunderstanding your statements, or your business people are misinformed.
The output of MD01 (MRP total run in foreground) and the output of MDBT (MRP total Run in Background) ARE IDENTICAL, provided you have selected the same parameters.
Neither output contains a discrete listing of open Purchase orders and Purchase requisitions.
Standard output of both MD01 and MDBT are:
1. List of materials processed, with exception messages
2. Statistics
In addition, both of these programs also write MRP records to the MRP databases, provided that the "Display Material List" parameter is set. In this case, both of these programs will produce data that can be further reviewed and managed in MD05 and MD06. MD06 is the tool that most planners use to process the MRP database info.
If you wish to see a listing of the entire MRP results (either MD01 or MDBT), then execute transaction MDLD. This will produce either a spoolfile or a printed document.
For the PO or PR listings, review my earlier suggestions.
Rgds,
DB49

I try to launch firefox get the following message "firefox is already running, but is not resonding. to open a new window, you must first close the existing firefox process, or restart your system" firefox is not running and restart doesn't work

when I launch firefox get the following message "firefox is already running, but is not resonding. to open a new window, you must first close the existing firefox process, or restart your system" firefox not running and a restart doesn't solve the problem

Download a fresh Firefox copy and save the file to the desktop.
*Firefox 12.0.x: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html
Uninstall your current Firefox version, if possible.
*Do NOT remove personal data when you uninstall your current Firefox version, because all profile folders will be removed and you will also lose your personal data like bookmarks and passwords from profiles of other Firefox versions.
Remove the Firefox program folder before installing that newly downloaded copy of the Firefox installer.
*It is important to delete the Firefox program folder to remove all the files and make sure that there are no problems with files that were leftover after uninstalling.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Uninstalling_Firefox
Your bookmarks and other profile data are stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder and won't be affected by a reinstall, but make sure that you do not select to remove personal data if you uninstall Firefox.
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
See also:
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+is+already+running+but+is+not+responding
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_in_use
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_missing_profile

I get this message box when I click on a link (in a document or email)"firefox is already running, but not reponding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing firefox process, or restart your system"

if Firefox is already running and click on any link in Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. A message box pops up and I have to hit OK to close it.
"firefox is already running, but not reponding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing firefox process, or restart your system"

if Firefox is already running and click on any link in Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. A message box pops up and I have to hit OK to close it.
"firefox is already running, but not reponding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing firefox process, or restart your system"

Firefox will not open. Process runs, but browser window will not open.

I am unable to get the Firefox browser window to launch. The application will attempt to open, but the browser window will not appear. Task manager indicates that the process is running, it just will not launch the window. No amount of restarts or reboots will make a difference. The strange thing about this is that Firefox has never run. This is a new computer and this issue has been a problem since it was first plugged in.
Troubleshooting steps attempted thus far:
1) Attempted to open in safe mode - will not open
2) Attempted to run in administrator mode- will not open
3) Completely uninstalled application, including profile info and reinstalled
4) Uninstalled known conflicts - Skype 4 (do not have Norton)
5) Even though issues since new, I ran a virus scan just in case-nothing
6) Uninstalled Chrome which I installed after originally being unsuccesful at getting FF to install (I uninstalled it before I began all of these troubleshooting steps as I have heard of conflicts)
I am now at a loss and willing to try any other steps that you guys can suggest.
Computer is running Windows 7 pro 64 bit. Running McAffee virus software. There are three identical computers in my office, purchased at exactly the same time with the same configuration. Mine is the only one that will not run firefox. Sadness. Please help, pleeeease...

Win 7 with iTunes installed - I was also having problems with that.
"netsh winsock reset" at the command prompt resolved all issues and Firefox launched normally.
Check to see if Winsock is corrupted. May prevent FF from communicating with the web and consequently fails to launch properly - for my situation was not a firewall or antivirus block!
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211#LetMeFixItMyselfAlways
Click Start, and in Start Search, type cmd.
Right-click the cmd entry that appears in the search results, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
At the command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER:
netsh winsock reset
Then, you should see the following message:
Successfully reset the Winsock Catalog. You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.
Restart the computer.
Note If you receive an “Access Denied” error message instead of the message that is mentioned in step 3, the command prompt was not correctly elevated. In this case, close the Command Prompt window, and repeat steps 1 through 3. Make sure that you correctly implement step 2.

Trouble installing Creative Cloud Desktop. After running the installer the dock the opens up is blank with a blue dotted loading emblem and will not do anything?????. New member here, thanks for the time.

After running the installer the dock the opens up is blank with a blue dotted loading emblem and will not do anything?????. I attempted to quit the install and restart but it produced the same result. New member here, thanks for the time.

Avanmanandfriends please see Creative Cloud app doesn't open and hangs on spinning progress wheel - http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/creative-cloud-app-doesnt-open.html which discusses how to resolve your current error.

Running an automator workflow w/o opening automator

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for