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How to use Automator

This instructable will teach you the basics of the program Automator for Mac. Automator is a very helpful programing for just about anything. It comes standard on most macs and it is fairly simple to use. This is my first instructable and I'm only 14, so be nice. Constructive criticism is appreciated.

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Step 1Basic Interface

This step will show you the basic Automator interface. See the pictures for details.

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25 comments

Oct 4, 2011. 11:25 PMscottlj99 says:

congratulations on our first instructable and awsm tutorial impressed my dad so yeahhhhh.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 18, 2009. 10:35 AMoctavian234 says:

So automator is kindof like writing an application to do stuff except a noob can use it?

Jul 18, 2009. 1:20 PM

benthekahn (author) says:

Exactly.

Jul 20, 2009. 10:49 AMoctavian234 says:

thank you

May 7, 2009. 10:09 PMCranky_Bird says:

Hi, Thanks for taking the time to help. This is the only non-movie tutorial on how to use Automator. Trust me, I checked a LOT of links and this is the only one. It's good to see that there are people who post things that actually help others. Thanks again, Cranky_Bird

Apr 24, 2009. 4:49 AMDerin says:

Where would I be able to download Automator?

Apr 24, 2009. 7:07 AM

benthekahn (author) says:

I don't believe it will work on windows, but it comes pre-installed on any recent mac. If you have a mac without it, I am not sure where you could find it online. You could always find a friend with a mac and copy it from his computer.

Feb 11, 2009. 5:19 AMsilencekilla says:

do they have this kind of program for windows?

Apr 21, 2009. 11:06 AMDerin says:

I'm not saying anything because you already said what I was going to say.

Apr 21, 2009. 5:19 PM

benthekahn (author) says:

I really don't know much about windows software, but I have not heard of anything like it.

Sep 1, 2008. 1:53 PMMightySandwich says:

Excellent tutorial. This really helped me get an understanding of the basics of Automator. Keep up the good work.

Jun 17, 2008. 10:05 AM

=SMART= says:

i see you have lepoard.... damn you :P i want it but it costs so much !!! £85 / $170 in uk !!! i favrouited this + 5 star

Jun 17, 2008. 10:29 AM

benthekahn (author) says:

Ya, its $130 for single user and $200 for family pack here.

Jun 17, 2008. 11:40 AM

=SMART= says:

theres copies you can download illegaly but i dont want to have a massive fail on my computer and not be able to use it again :(

Jun 17, 2008. 12:09 PM

benthekahn (author) says:

If you try make sure its a .dmg file and the size is at least 500mb.

Jun 17, 2008. 12:34 PM

=SMART= says:

only 500mb?? for the entire leopard, including iLife

Jun 17, 2008. 12:43 PM

benthekahn (author) says:

There may be smaller versions. Ok, probably a few GB.

Jun 17, 2008. 12:49 PM

=SMART= says:

ok thanks i just wanna know what to look for :P

Apr 20, 2008. 5:37 PMgarrettmikesmith says:

hows your g4 treating you ned?

Apr 20, 2008. 6:14 PM

benthekahn (author) says:

Neds my dad.

Apr 20, 2008. 7:35 PMgarrettmikesmith says:

i was just kidding.

Apr 19, 2008. 1:34 PMzjharva says:

Thanks for making this! I just found automator today while i was opening as many programs as i could, pressing f9, and then taking a screen shot. I couldn't figure it out so thanks for making this!