Workflow Automation with AppleScript
A no-tears, hands-on introduction to AppleScript for people who want to work smarter, not harder.
Learn AppleScript fundamentals and how to build powerful workflow automation by controlling applications with AppleScript. Participants complete hands-on exercises designed to reinforce learning, and finish the course by developing real-world automation solutions. The class covers AppleScript basics and scripting FileMaker Pro and InDesign. The optional third day goes deeper into advanced AppleScript techniques and scripting the Finder. Attend for either two or three days.
Who should attend
- Busy professionals who want to work smarter, not harder
- Print, web and video publishers
- Network administrators
- Apple consultants
- Anyone who performs repetitive tasks on a Mac
What you will learn
- How to begin working with AppleScript
- AppleScript fundamentals: commands, objects, dictionaries, variables, conditional statements, repeat loops, tell statements, the object model, elements, properties, subroutines and more
- How to script the Finder, FileMaker Pro, InDesign and other scriptable applications
- How to join applications together with AppleScript to create powerful automation solutions
Participants should have a thorough working knowledge of the Mac. Though helpful, no prior programming experience is necessary.
Course agenda
Day one
- Workflow automation with AppleScript: introductions, course objectives, solution demonstration
- Module 1, AppleScript fundamentals: application scripting support, working with Script Editor, syntax checking, script types, the result window, recording, comments, application dictionaries
- Commands, objects and scripting additions
- Coercion, variables, control statements, the object model
- Exercises: match items, conditional statements, repeat loops, subroutines
Day two
- Exercises and review: scripting a text editor, multipurpose demonstration
- Module 2, scripting FileMaker Pro: dictionary, object model, commands, attachability, hands-on exercise
- Module 3, scripting a digital asset manager: dictionary, object model, commands, exercise
- Module 4, scripting InDesign: dictionary, object model, commands, exercise
- Closing and evaluation
Day three (optional)
- Module 5, building an AppleScript solution from start to finish
- Module 6, scripting the Finder: dictionary, object model, commands, recordability
- Exercises: loop through files in a folder, create folders, move files, catalog files in FileMaker Pro
- Open discussion and workshop
Course materials
Each participant receives a participant kit with the course schedule, printouts of the course slides with space for notes, and the course exercises with solutions, along with every application, file and demo used in the course.
What participants say
“TECSoft consistently provides quality AppleScript solutions and training. I often hear positive comments from their customers, and I don't hesitate to recommend them to corporations and individuals looking to implement AppleScript.”
Sal Soghoian, AppleScript Product Manager, Apple Inc.
“This course was so well organized and taught that I see no way to improve it – truly world-class training in every regard. I can say without hesitation that this class was well worth my time and my boss's money.”
Ted Baker, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
“TECSoft's AppleScript training rocks! I was immediately able to put to use what I learned and it saved the day!”
Lars Holmes, Director of Media Technologies, MTV Networks
“With AppleScript, I was able to condense a week of tedious file translations into a one-step automatic process that runs overnight. I never thought learning a programming language would be so entertaining!”
Brian Hinson, Modern Language Association
“Simply put, the TECSoft course met its objectives. After having completed the course, I was able to write AppleScripts that enabled me to do my job more efficiently.”
MacTech, June 2001 review, “Learning AppleScript the TECSoft Way”
“I've been writing AppleScripts professionally for over two years and I learned so much in your class... Even experienced pros should consider this class.”
Coletta Perry, Avatar Data Publishing Solutions
“In the last 48 hours, I've written a four-page script that pulls images out of our FileMaker Pro database and creates static web pages to serve them. I'll have saved more time on this one project than I spent in the class.”
Randy Taylor, StockMedia.net
“A great course. I'll recommend it to everybody who wants to script.”
Robert James, Getty Images
Background
TECSoft has worked extensively with Apple creating AppleScript workshops, presentations and seminars, and has delivered its AppleScript content for Apple at trade shows and at Apple's market centers around the world. Workflow Automation with AppleScript is based on the course of the same name TECSoft developed for Apple's Channel Partner program.
Book a class
The class is available as scheduled public sessions or as private on-site training, by arrangement. Contact us for dates.
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