Automator for Print Option: Compress PDF

Question

Level 1

8 points

Automator for Print Option: Compress PDF

I used to have Automator set up to do this seamlessly. But somehow, in an update or something, I've lost two steps of the workflow. I would like a "compress pdf" option in the print function that does this:

(1) Compress PDF

(2) Give me the dialogue box to name the file myself

(3) Give me the dialogue box to pick where the new compressed file ends up

Currently, I have the "compress pdf" part, but it automatically names the file -- and I can only figure out how to set it up to save the file in one pre-selected folder (no option to choose where it goes). Did these last two functions go away (surely not).

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Dec 19, 2020 11:25 AM

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Answer 1

bailier

Community Specialist

Dec 22, 2020 4:14 PM in response to winncville

Hello winncville,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities, and from your post it appears that the automation is skipping the steps to name a file and point to a place to put it. We'll do what we can to help.

Depending on the specifics of your script, try removing just those portions and then setting them up again as you had it before: Automator User Guide for Mac

You could also try checking the log to see what steps are actually being completed: View events performed by a workflow in Automator on Mac

If those options aren't there when you set them up again, they may no longer be available or require separate steps.

Take care!

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Answer 2

winncville Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 22, 2020 6:16 PM in response to bailier

Thank you, and yes, you understand my problem well. However, the entire workflow got deleted somehow, and I'm trying to recreate it. And those two steps (name the file / choose where that new file goes) are nowhere to be found. I'm sure that can't be right, though. Those would seem really basic actions.

Can anyone help me find these actions?

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Automator for Print Option: Compress PDF

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