HT2488: Mac Basics: Automator

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Q: Can I schedule an email to be sent automatically at a specific time with Automator?

I need to be able to send an automatic email every day at 8am and 5pm. Will Automator be able to do this for me if I download it?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 1, 2012 8:05 AM

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Q: Can I schedule an email to be sent automatically at a specific time with Automator?

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  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Feb 1, 2012 8:19 AM in response to stacenet
    Level 6 (19,597 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 1, 2012 8:19 AM in response to stacenet

    Look to iCal for your scheduling needs.  You can have iCal run your Automator workflow.  And Automator should already be on your system in Applications -> Automator.

     

    If you do not like iCal for scheduling, there is always launchd .plists, or cron, or a few 3rd party utilities that can scheduled event execution.

  • by stacenet,

    stacenet stacenet Feb 1, 2012 8:46 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 8:46 AM in response to BobHarris

    I know I can use iCal to schedule appointments. What I want to do is create an email that will be automatically sent every day at the same time without having to go into Mail and type it out and send it myself each time.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Feb 1, 2012 8:57 AM in response to stacenet
    Level 6 (19,597 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 1, 2012 8:57 AM in response to stacenet

    Automator can compose a message and send it.  But Automator does not have a scheduling service.

     

    Applications -> Automator

    New Mail Message

    Fill in the details

    save as an save as an application

     

    Applications -> iCal

    setup the recuring event

    edit the event -> Alarm -> Open file -> Your saved Automator application

  • by Frank Caggiano,

    Frank Caggiano Frank Caggiano Feb 1, 2012 9:00 AM in response to stacenet
    Level 7 (25,796 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 9:00 AM in response to stacenet

    Try creating an action like this:

     

    Screen Shot 2012-02-01 at 11.58.52.png

     

    Enter your message and address information in the New Mail Message. Save the automator action and have iCal fire it off.

     

    Should work

  • by Puchulo,

    Puchulo Puchulo Feb 6, 2012 10:30 AM in response to stacenet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2012 10:30 AM in response to stacenet

    The best way to have scheduled emails sent is by using LetterMeLater.com.

     

    I've been using this site for a year and works flawlessly. It allows me to select any time to send and I don't need to be connected to the internet in order for the email to be sent. I simply enter the content, subject, who I'm sending it to, the time I want it sent, and the site does the rest for you!

     

    Check it out at LetterMeLater.com

  • by davefromdallas,

    davefromdallas davefromdallas Feb 16, 2015 10:40 AM in response to stacenet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 16, 2015 10:40 AM in response to stacenet

    Set up your Automator like this. I use this setup for repeating meetings and am doing so in OS 10.10.2 (Yosemite). Be aware when you set this up and save it will automatically compose and send the email immediately.

     

    Open Automator, choose Calendar Alarm, Search "mail", drag "new mail message" to the right gray open area, drag "send outgoing messages" below this. Once you compose your message and add your recipients save your work. The calendar event will be added to the calendar at the time you saved your work. (You clicked save at 12:01, the event will be saved to the Calendar at 12:01. This will also automatically send out the email at that time, so just be aware of that. Once in your calendar, you may augment the times and repeats as you see fit, just like a regular event.

    Screen Shot 2015-02-16 at 12.29.31 PM.png

    Screen Shot 2015-02-16 at 12.29.46 PM.png

    Screen Shot 2015-02-16 at 12.38.55 PM.png