Prompt user to stop Automator action

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Level 1

80 points

Prompt user to stop Automator action

I'm wondering if there is a simple way to do this.

I have an Automator sequence that runs at startup to open several applications.

I would like to add a step to have a dialog box pop up that asks the user if they want to stop the action before it finishes.

Does Automator have a way to prompt for this kind of input?

And is there a way to stop the action part way through?

Or do I have to write some AppleScript code to do that?

Thanks

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 9, 2022 12:46 PM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,024 points

Mar 9, 2022 2:19 PM in response to Scott Kopp

Here is an example where an Automator application prompts for an input file and then prompts the user to enter a "Y" if they want to quit Automator. If any affirmative variation on Y is provided, the Automator application never gets to the third action that asks the user to input text.

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Answer 2

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

80 points

Mar 10, 2022 7:08 AM in response to VikingOSX

Hey, that worked great! It did just what I need it to do.

Now I have 1 more thought: Is there a way to make the "OK" button active so pressing the Return key will activate it?

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. And I could probably figure it out eventually on my own. But this is faster. hahaha

Thanks.

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Answer 3

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

80 points

Mar 9, 2022 2:22 PM in response to VikingOSX

Awesome! I'll give that a try tomorrow.

Thanks!

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,024 points

Mar 9, 2022 3:16 PM in response to Scott Kopp

You are welcome. Tested on Big Sur 11.6.4.

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,024 points

Mar 10, 2022 8:04 AM in response to Scott Kopp

That Ask for Text action's OK button has no capability of accepting a return key to trigger it as the action consumes all keyboard input as part of the text.

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Prompt user to stop Automator action

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