I have added a folder called “PDF Invoices to Send” to my PDF menu in the print dialogue box – by adding an alias of that folder to Library > PDF Services. It works great. But the automated process retains the application extension while adding the PDF extension after it. (like this: “Filename.numbers.pdf” or “Filename.xls.pdf”)
In order to automatically fix this problem, I created a workflow in Automator that renames the file, replacing (for example) “.numbers” with “_INV1” – which is a much more helpful filename. So I get “Filename_INV1.pdf”. That works as well. But I still have to highlight the files and run the workflow “manually” each time I invoice people.
Then I got the idea of using a Folder Action. But when I set this up using the same script, it seems to cycle in some kind of loop, asking me to confirm the “INV1” name over and over again…or at least more times than there are valid files in the folder.
What I’d love to do is to add this automation as I print the PDF rather than running it in a batch on the folder contents. But I can’t figure out how to get that to happen. And I’m not sure if what I’m describing is really the best way to do it.
It would be nice if, as it’s changing the filename, my Mac could ask for a confirmation of the replacement variable, so I can change the default to “INV2” or “INV3”, etc. if it’s appropriate.
I don’t care if this happens in the dialogue box as I print, or separately as the folder processes an action, or what.
I’d just like it to happen easily and quickly. And automatically.
I’d be grateful if anyone has any ideas about how to set this up. Thanks!
Model: MacBook Pro 15" 2.4 GHz Core Duo
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