Workflow Design Examples

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Add, Remove & Execute Workflows

This example demonstrates how to set and access the content of a saved result across multiple Workflows. The example uses three Workflows to:

• add Files/Folders items to a global saved result,
• remove items from the global saved result
• perform functions with items contained in the global saved result.

In this example Workflows are combined to automate the process of backing up files to an external hard drive. In combination, these Workflows will allow you to quickly add files you’re working on to an existing back-up and/or remove any files that you’re no longer working on. All without altering any Workflows!

This example uses the Open Result, Resave Result and Stop if Result is Empty Actions.

Add Workflow – Add to Daily Backup List

Workflow Description
This Workflow takes the Finder items that the user has selected and combines them with a global saved result. The global saved result is then resaved, effectively adding the Finder items to the contents of the global saved result.

Example Description
In this example the saved result is called "Files/Folders – Daily Backup List – Items for Do Daily Backup". Here is a description of what each Action does:

This Workflow would be best saved as a plug-in for use in the Finder. This would make it executable from the menu that appears when you control-click a Finder item.

Remove Workflow – Remove from Daily Backup List

Workflow Description
This Workflow takes the Finder items that the user has selected and removes them from a global saved result. The global saved result is then resaved so that the Finder items are permanently removed from the contents of the global saved result.

Example Description
In this example, the saved result is called "Files/Folders – Daily Backup List – Items for Do Daily Backup". Here is a description of what each Action does.

This Workflow would be best saved as a plug-in for use in the Finder. This would make it executable from the menu that appears when you control-click a Finder item.

Execute Workflow – Do Daily Backup

Workflow Description
This Workflow opens a selected saved result providing that the saved result is not empty. The opened saved result is then passed to the next Action for processing. If the saved result is empty the Workflow stops.

Example Description
In this example, the saved result is called "Files/Folders – Daily Backup List – Items for Do Daily Backup". Here is a description of what each Action does.

This Workflow would be best saved as a plug-in for use in the Script Menu. This would make it executable from the Script menu on the right-hand side of the menu bar.