Automator documents are calledworkflows, and are made up ofactions. Workflows are run sequentially, with each action being given the previous action's output, which it can then process or act upon. Variables can be specified, which can be modified or processed by subsequent actions.[3] Workflows can also incorporate loops and variables.[4] Automator comes with a library of actions (file renaming, finding linked images, creating a new mail message, etc.).[5][6] Actions can also run custom scripts, includingAppleScript,JavaScript, orshell scripts. Workflow documents can be run directly in Automator or saved as applications that run the workflow when launched. Workflows can also be added to thecontextual menu, to process any selected text or file.[7][8][9]
Create Folder Actions, a Finder feature that applies certain workflows to all files in a folder[13]
Create Services, which can be started in the Services menu[13]
Automator can integrate withCalendar, to launch workflows at a Calendar event's specified time and date (and the event can be set to repeat automatically)[4]
Automator can also launch workflows with programmable voice commands (called Dictation Commands, added inOS X Yosemite)[13]
Control USB-connected cameras to take pictures at regular intervals[10]
Perform Finder actions on images, including rotation, applyingQuartz filters (like black & white), and converting audio and video files to different formats[14]
Automator provides agraphical user interface for automating tasks without knowledge of programming or scripting languages. Tasks can be recorded as they are performed by the user or can be selected from a list. The output of the previous action can become the input to the next action.[5]
The icon for Automator features a robot, known as Otto the Automator.[19]
