Where are Automator Actions stored?

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Level 1

9 points

Where are Automator Actions stored?

I want to use an Automator action on other computers and send it to a friend, but there is no Export option. Does anyone know where an action that I created is stored?? I checked in system and user Library folders, but only found the built-in actions. I also don't see anything showing up in Application Support folders.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel

Posted on Apr 3, 2011 12:55 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:20 PM in response to agxsam

It really depends on what kind of workflow you saved it as. Some types have no default location and could be anywhere, others have to be in specific locations in order to function. For example, a Service would be in Library/Services.

If you know the name of the workflow, you can search for it in Spotlight or using the 'find' shell command.

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Answer 2

agxsam Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 3, 2011 9:09 PM in response to red_menace

Right-clicking the name is perfect! Great tip. Thanks!

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Answer 3

agxsam Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:11 PM in response to Linc Davis

I think you're right. It's the whole workflow I want to be able to copy and/or send. I guess the action is "run shell script" and the workflow name is "Extract THM from MOV file". It contains one Terminal command line.

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Answer 4

agxsam Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:26 PM in response to Linc Davis

Bingo!! It WAS a service and that's exactly where I found it. Huge help. Thanks very much. If the workflows can end up all over the place, I wonder why Apple doesn't provide and Export command, or at least a "show in finder" like it does for actions. Thanks again!

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Answer 5

red_menace

Level 6

17,066 points

Apr 3, 2011 3:08 PM in response to agxsam

Automator actions, like Service workflows, are stored in specific locations. Since you can store your other workflows pretty much anywhere you want, you can "Open an Existing Workflow..." of the desired type (it may also be in the list of recent items) or search using the Finder/Spotlight like any other file item. Right-clicking the workflow name at the top of the Automator workflow window will also show you a path popup to remind you where it was put.

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Answer 6

Niel

Community+ 2025

Level 10

741,431 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:02 PM in response to agxsam

Drag it into a workflow and choose Show in Finder from the Action menu.

(57608)

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Apr 3, 2011 1:04 PM in response to agxsam

You probably mean a workflow, not an action. What kind of workflow is it?

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