.ACTION File Extension

Automator Action

Developer	Apple
Popularity	Average rating 3.8 / 5. Vote count: 43
Category	Executable Files
Format	.ACTION
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an ACTION file?

The .ACTION file extension is used for Automator actions in macOS. Automator is a built-in macOS application that allows users to create workflows to automate repetitive tasks. .ACTION files are specific actions or tasks that can be integrated into Automator workflows.

More Information.

Automator was introduced to help macOS users automate tasks and streamline repetitive processes without requiring programming knowledge. .ACTION files serve as modular components within Automator, allowing users to perform specific tasks like renaming files, resizing images, or sending emails. The initial purpose of .ACTION files was to provide reusable and customizable building blocks for automating tasks on a Mac.

Origin Of This File.

.ACTION files are native to macOS and were introduced with Automator, which was first included in macOS X 10.4 Tiger. They are designed to extend Automator’s functionality by providing pre-defined actions that users can incorporate into their workflows.

File Structure Technical Specification.

Action Definition: A set of instructions that define what the action does.
User Interface Elements: Panels or dialogs that present options to the user.
Scripts or Executable Code: The actual code that performs the task.

How to Convert the File?

Windows

Conversion Approach:

Automator Workflows: If you have an Automator workflow (.workflow) that uses .ACTION files, you would need to manually recreate similar workflows using automation tools available on Windows.
Tools: Consider using Windows automation tools like Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow), AutoHotkey, or Task Scheduler to replicate the automation tasks performed by the .ACTION files.

Linux

Conversion Approach:

Automator Workflows: Similar to Windows, you would need to manually recreate the automation tasks from .ACTION files using Linux tools.
Tools: Linux offers tools like Cron jobs for scheduled tasks, Bash scripts for scripting, and tools like Autokey for creating keyboard shortcuts and automation.

macOS

Conversion Approach:

Direct Use: .ACTION files are directly used by Automator on macOS. You do not need to convert them; just use them within the Automator app.
Automator Workflows: You can directly open and use .ACTION files in Automator, or integrate them into Automator workflows.

Android

Conversion Approach:

Automator Workflows: .ACTION files are not supported on Android. You will need to create equivalent automation tasks using Android apps.
Tools: Look into Android automation apps like Tasker or Automate, which allow you to set up similar automation tasks on Android devices.

iOS

Conversion Approach:

Automator Workflows: .ACTION files are not supported on iOS. You will need to use automation tools available on iOS.
Tools: Use the Shortcuts app on iOS to create automation tasks similar to those performed by .ACTION files. The Shortcuts app allows you to build custom workflows and automate tasks on iOS devices.

Others

Conversion Approach:

Non-macOS Platforms: .ACTION files are specific to macOS and Automator. On other platforms, you will need to use platform-specific tools and methods to achieve similar functionality.
Tools: Identify equivalent automation tools or scripting languages available for the specific platform you are using, and recreate the automation tasks.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Modularity: .ACTION files can be easily added to or removed from Automator workflows.
Customizability: Users can create custom actions tailored to their needs.
Ease of Use: No programming required for basic automation tasks.

Disadvantages:

macOS Specific: Limited to macOS and cannot be used on other operating systems.
Complexity: Advanced actions may require knowledge of AppleScript or other scripting languages.

How to Open ACTION?

Open In Windows

.ACTION files cannot be opened directly in Windows as they are specific to macOS and Automator. You would need a macOS environment to work with them.

Open In Linux

.ACTION files are not natively supported in Linux. They are designed for use within macOS, so they cannot be opened or used directly on Linux systems.

Open In MAC

On macOS, .ACTION files are used by Automator. You can open them by double-clicking the file, which will open it in Automator, where you can view, edit, or integrate the action into a workflow.

Open In Android

.ACTION files are not supported on Android. They are specific to macOS and Automator.

Open In IOS

.ACTION files are not supported on iOS. Automator and .ACTION files are specific to macOS.

Open in Others

Other operating systems and platforms do not support .ACTION files. They are specific to macOS and Automator, and thus cannot be used outside of the macOS environment.