Choose Workflow when prompted, as below Create a new workflow in Automatorģ. Open Automator from the Applications folder or within SpotlightĢ. This method is particularly effective when you have multiple folders in different locations that need to be synchronised, because you can enter any number of rsync commands into the script.ġ. While rsync certainly gets the job done, it’s much more useful when combined with Automator to simplify the whole process. Note: rsync is a very powerful tool that has dozens of command-line options, so it’s worth reading the user manual in more depth (in Terminal, just type man rsync and press Enter). This example creates a copy of Documents in the top level of the external disk’s folder structure. This example keeps everything in the Home Folder’s Documents directory synchronised with the external disk named MacBook Pro Backup and deletes anything in the destination folder which isn’t already in the source folder. Rsync -aE –delete “~/Documents/” “/Volumes/Macbook Pro Backup/” In the Terminal window type rsync -aE –delete ~/ / “” Open Terminal from the Utilities folder or SpotlightĢ. Rsync is a very useful utility built into Mac OS X which allows the differences between two sets of files to be synchronised. Rsync can also sync data over a network, so if your folders are on another computer this method can be tweaked slightly to use the relevant remote hostname.ġ. Some of the most popular synchronisation apps are: Additionally, cloud-based services such as Dropbox can synchronise files on multiple machines very simply (note that the Mac version of Dropbox is only available from their website, not in the App Store).įor most people a third-party app is the most convenient and hassle-free method to sync your data, with the advantage that lots of features are provided such as the ability to sync files, music, pictures, bookmarks and other data. You drag instructions from the menu on the left into the workflow space on the right.There are a dozen or so third-party apps available in Mac App Store that can simplify and automate the process of keeping files and folders synchronised. It would have been more elegant if the Automator workflow could trigger itself.Ĭreating the workflow was very easy. In order to get workflows working on their own Apple leveraged the alarm feature of the Calendar app to trigger the workflow. The appropriate “type” was Calendar Alarm. My goal was to create a workflow that automatically copied new or updated files from folder A to folder B once per day. There are a number of ways to use it, and a menu of “types” when you first load it – workflow, application, quick action, etc. I’ve given it a look in the past and couldn’t easily understand what I’d do with it, so I didn’t bother with it.Īutomator is a simplified programming tool using “If this then that” type of commands. I guess this isn’t a popular requirement.Īfter looking for 3rd party utilities I decided to try using Automator for the first time. I was a little surprised that there isn’t a sync choice built into the Mac folder drop-down menu. It’s a one-way sync – SSD folder A syncs to Ext Drive folder B. There isn’t a need to sync back and forth between the two folders. By “sync” I mean that the external drive folder will be strictly a backup or mirror of the SSD folder. I have Time Machine set up but I also wanted the external drive as an additional backup. I wanted to sync the contents of a folder on my SSD to a folder on an external drive. Instant Pot Pasta e Fajioli (aka Pasta Fazool) – vegan, no oil.Using Automator on a Mac – sync a folder. Simple Tomato Sauce (Whole Food Plant Based-no oil).Whole Food Plant Based Tomato Chowder (no oil) – Instant Pot.Firestick Lite as an affordable Sonos alternative.Whole Food Plant Based Diet – 24 month update.Macbook Air 15 – RAM and Storage decisions.A Narcissist Writes Letters, To Himself.
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