Master List-making with Apple Mail and An Applescript

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Creating a Plain Text File
3. Setting Up the AppleScript
4. Configuring the Mail Rule
5. Testing the Automation
6. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss how to automate the process of adding items to a list through the Mail program using an AppleScript. This script allows You to email yourself some text, which will then be added to the bottom of your list. This can be useful for creating grocery lists, to-do lists, and other similar types of lists. We'll guide you through the steps to set up this automation, from creating a plain text file to configuring the Mail rule. So let's get started!

Creating a Plain Text File

To begin, you'll need to Create a plain text file where your list will be stored. You can use any plain text editor for this, but we recommend using TextEdit, which is already installed on your Mac. Open TextEdit and set it up to create a plain text file by going to Format > Make Plain Text.

Next, save the file by clicking on File > Save (or using the shortcut Command + S). Choose a name for your file, such as "grocery_list.txt", and save it to a location where you can easily access it.

Setting Up the AppleScript

The next step is to set up the AppleScript that will handle the automation. You will need to download a script called "Automated Grocery List" from the provided link. Once downloaded, open the zip file and extract the script.

Open the script in a text editor, such as TextEdit. You'll see several properties that you can customize. The first property is the "key", which is a unique identifier for the text you want to add to your list. By default, it is set to "GL", but you can change it to any other combination you prefer.

Next, there is a property called "list_path" where you need to specify the path to the plain text file you created earlier. Simply copy and paste the file path between the quotes.

Following that, there are two properties: "add_space" and "add_colon". These properties determine whether you want to add a space or a colon after the key when adding an item to the list. By default, they are set to "1" (on). You can change them to "0" (off) if you don't want to include a space or a colon.

Once you've finished editing the script, save it to a safe location on your Mac, such as the Scripts folder inside your Library directory.

Configuring the Mail Rule

Now it's time to set up the Mail rule that will trigger the automation when a specific email is received. Launch the Mail application on your Mac and go to Mail > Preferences (or use the shortcut Command + ,).

In the Preferences window, select the "Rules" tab and click on the "Add Rule" button. Give your rule a name, such as "Grocery List". In the "If any of the following conditions are met" section, choose "Subject begins with" from the dropdown menu and enter "GL" (without quotes) in the text field. Make sure to select "Subject begins with" and not "Subject contains".

Next, in the "Perform the following actions" section, choose "Run AppleScript" from the dropdown menu. Select the "Grocery List" script from the Library > Scripts folder where you saved it earlier.

Click on the "OK" button to save the rule. Then click on the "Apply" button to apply the rule to your existing emails.

Testing the Automation

To test the automation, simply send an email to yourself with the subject starting with "GL" (e.g., "GL: Cheese"). After a few moments, you should see the item added to your grocery list text file. You can repeat this process to add more items to your list.

Conclusion

Automating the process of adding items to a list through the Mail program using an AppleScript can save you time and effort. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up this automation and have your emailed text automatically added to your list. Whether you're creating grocery lists, to-do lists, or other types of lists, this automation can streamline the process and make your life easier. Give it a try and enjoy the convenience of automatic list management!

Highlights

• Automate the process of adding items to a list through the Mail program
• Easily create grocery lists, to-do lists, and more
• Set up a simple AppleScript to handle the automation
• Configure a Mail rule to trigger the automation
• Test the automation by sending emails with specific subjects
• Save time and effort with automatic list management

FAQ

Q: Can I use any plain text editor to create the file? A: Yes, you can use any plain text editor, but we recommend using TextEdit as it is already available on your Mac.

Q: Can I customize the key used to identify the text in my email? A: Yes, you can change the key to any other combination you prefer. Just edit the "key" property in the AppleScript.

Q: Can I add items with different formats to my list? A: No, the automation is designed to add plain text items to your list. Any non-text content in the email will be ignored.

Q: Can I add multiple items to the list in one email? A: Yes, you can add multiple items to the list by including them in the subject of your email, separated by commas or other delimiters.

Q: Can I use this automation with other email clients? A: No, this automation is specifically designed for the Mail program on Mac. It may not work with other email clients.

Q: Can I use this automation with multiple lists? A: Yes, you can set up multiple instances of the automation by creating separate AppleScripts and Mail rules for each list.

Q: Can I customize the formatting of my list? A: Yes, you can modify the plain text file and add formatting elements such as headers, bullet points, or numbering manually.

Q: Can I use this automation for more than just lists? A: Yes, you can use this automation for any scenario where you want to automatically add text to a file based on emails you receive.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of items I can add to my list? A: There is no inherent limit, but keep in mind that very long lists may impact performance and readability.