I got Shortcuts app with my iPhone (don’t have any other device) and it sounds really interesting and useful- especially to build own or amend existing ones, but it seems very complicated. I don’t know how to tell what kind of action needs to follow another in order to make it work. I don’t understand magic variables.
Is Shorcuts something most people use and understand?
iPhone SE, iOS 16
helen ~ Your first impressions of Shortcuts is shared by many. It's basically programming – which is an art in itself. It's not for everyone, but for those who persevere it's very rewarding – some have even developed their skills into paid Shortcuts consulting careers. As the author of the book linked below says: "Shortcuts is not self-explanatory, so it can be challenging to figure out its quirks and create effective, time-saving automations." Regarding "what kind of action needs to follow another", feel free to post back with an example of what you'd like to accomplish and where you're stuck. (Screenshots are useful here.) A couple of tips: Actions can be dragged into position after a touch & hold on the action. And, besides tapping on an action's parameter field, also try a touch & hold to possibly reveal more options. Magic Variables are explained here:
Use variables in Shortcuts on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Shortcuts User Guide for iPhone and iPad
Take Control of Shortcuts – PDF & EPUB
Shortcuts Directory – Curated collections of the best links about Shortcuts
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helen ~ In your "Get Text from PDF" action, Touch & Hold the Document parameter and choose "Shortcut Input".
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helen ~ Did you make the changes I suggested to your 'Speak PDF' shortcut?
...If so, what happens now when you're viewing a PDF and you tap the share icon and then choose 'Speak PDF'?
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Yes it did speak the PDF Thank you! I am sorry if I didn’t make that clear in my last message before asking about the other issue re BMI shortcut
You are a genius thanks
shortcuts
