Automator: newbie needs information

I have never seriously worked with the Automator app, but I know it can be powerful.

However, I find it very hard to get started. Let me describe what I think it could be helpful with and then invite you to tell me either that it cannot be done, or else how I should do this.... thanks in advance!


I am working in OS Ventura 13.7.5 on a new MacMini.

I have recently subscribed to a cloud storage platform called Sync; it is very similar to Dropbox, but a lot cheaper (20 CAD per month).


The only downside of this fairly young platform is that it is a bit cumbersome to run one of their actions I expect to be using a lot: setting ALL files on the platform to cloud only.


To do that, I have to click on the Sync icon in the top menubar/task bar. Then click on the settings icon. Then clicking on Preferences from a menu. In the window that then pops up, I click 'Store all my Sync files in the cloud now'.


This 4 click sequence is something I would love to try and execute with Automator.


Background:

I am a FileMaker developer and have created an archive for my 50k-plus photo archive.

When I come home from a photoshoot, I offload my memory card, edit the raw images and save the best ones in JPG format. I then move them into logically named folders and upload those to the Sync platform and I am done.


From my archive, I can open individual files. When I do so, they automatically download to their Sync location. After I am done, I want to be able to quickly 'Store all my Sync files in the cloud'. Although I can perform this act manually for each file, my experience is that I tend to edit or open a bunch of files from possibly different locations, so running the'Store all my Sync files in the cloud' is better than trying to remember which files to re-upload to the cloud.


I hope this makes sense.

I tried to create a workflow AND an action.

I also tried to record the above described actions, but it stops working from the moment I try to open the preference menu that gives me access to the option to 'Store all my Sync files in the cloud'.


Since I know absolutely nothing about Automator, specific step by step instructions would be most helpful.


I did try to make sense of the 'user guide' of Automator, but often I cannot find the items it is talking about. For instance: 'use the 'mouse' category to point to a finder item'. I have been unable to find that mouse category anywhere in the Automator interface...


Thanks for considering this topic!


Nicky



Mac mini, macOS 13.7

Posted on Apr 12, 2025 8:24 AM

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Apr 15, 2025 6:33 AM in response to HappyCat_60

HappyCat_60 wrote:
I also tried to record the above described actions, but it stops working from the moment I try to open the preference menu that gives me access to the option to 'Store all my Sync files in the cloud'.

This is just a guess, but you may need to give Full Disk Access to Automator.


System Settings > Privacy & Security > Privacy > Full Disk Access ... add Automator to the list.


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Automator: newbie needs information

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