Mac Automation: Quickly add to-dos/events to iCal
How many times have you been watching TV and wanted to quickly add a to-do or event (maybe both) to iCal? In this Mac Automation post, I'm going to show you how to create both a to-do and an iCal event from within Automator. You will be able to add new items to iCal without ever having to open it. Let's begin.
Creating the Automator Workflow (New iCal Event)
First we need to create an Automator workflow that will add the to-do and event to iCal. To create the workflow, just add the "New iCal Events" action to the workflow area. Before you continue, be sure to click the "Options" button at the bottom of the action and select the "Show this action when the workflow runs" checkbox.
Saving the Automator Workflow
To give you quick and easy access to the creation of iCal events, you can choose the Save As method of your choice.
Running the Workflow
To run the workflow, click the "Run" button in the top-right corner of Automator (or launch it as an application). When you run the workflow, you will be presented with a dialog that will ask you to specify a Name, Date, Time, and other information. When you press "Continue," the workflow will create the event in iCal.
Keep reading to learn how to quickly create to-dos in iCal.
Creating the Automator Workflow (New iCal To Do)
First, we need to create an Automator workflow that will add the to-do and event to iCal. To create the workflow, just add the "New iCal To Do Item" action to the workflow area. Before you continue, be sure to click the "Options" button at the bottom of the action and select the "Show this action when the workflow runs" checkbox.
Saving the Automator Workflow
To give you quick and easy access to the creation of iCal events, you can choose the Save As method of your choice.
Running the Workflow
To run the workflow, click the "Run" button in the top-right corner of Automator (or launch it as an application). When you run the workflow, you will be presented with a dialog that will ask you to specify a Due Date, Priority, and calendar to add the information to. When you press "Continue," the workflow will create the to-do in iCal.
Want to see more Automator how-tos? Visit TUAW's Mac Automation section today. Do you have a task you would like to automate with an Automator Action or AppleScript? Send us a tip and you will get your questions answered!
