Automator Workflow Techniques: Backup Current Week’s Files
Backup should be a part of every Mac users’ workflow. However, a lot of the time, regular backups are not being performed. Automator is here to help. Using Automator actions that are built right into Mac OS X, anyone can now create a workflow to back up their modified files on a regular basis.
The following steps will walk you through the process of creating an Automator workflow that will run every week, and will back up to CD or DVD any items in your Documents folder that have been modified during the current week.
Step 1: Launch Automator, located in the Applications folder, and create a new workflow window.
Step 2: Select the Automator category, located in the Library list in Automator. Select the Ask for Confirmation action in the Action list, and drag it into workflow area on the right side of the Automator window. Enter Weekly Backup Workflow in the Message field, and About to back up this week’s files. Click “OK” to continue, or “Cancel” to stop. in the Explanation field.
Step 3: Locate and select the Find Finder Items action in the Finder category, and drag it into the workflow area. Configure it to find files located in your Documents folder whose Date Modified is This week.
Step 4: Locate and select the Create Archive action in the Finder category, and drag it into the workflow area. Enter Weekly Backup in the Save as field, and select Desktop from the Where popup.
Step 5: Locate and select the Burn a Disc action in the System category, and drag it into the workflow area. Enter Weekly Backup into the Disc Name field. Select the Append date and Erase First checkboxes. Select the Eject Disc radio button.
Step 6: Choose Save as Plug-in… from the File menu in Automator. Enter Backup Current Week’s Files in the Save Plug-in As field, and choose iCal Alarm from the Plut-in for popup. Click the Save button. iCal will be brought to the front, and a new event will be created.
Step 7: Adjust the date and time of the event to Friday at 4 PM. Configure the event to repeat every week.
After performing the steps above, the Automator workflow should automatically run every Friday at 4 PM, and back up your modified files. Don’t forget to insert a blank CD or DVD! You could create an iCal alarm to remind you prior to 4 PM on Friday, if you like.
