10.4: Use Automator to rename PowerPoint PPS files

Aug 16, '06 07:30:03AM

Contributed by: kidzmatter2me

In Microsoft Office v.X (not sure on 2004), .pps (PowerPoint Show) files are not associated with PowerPoint by default. And even if they were, I want to have the power to edit, not just show. So here's a quick way to rename lots of .pps files to .ppt (which lets you edit them in PowerPoint) using Automator:

  1. Open Automator, and create a new workflow, if one is not opened for you.
  2. Insert the Get Selected Finder Items action (in the Finder Library) into your workflow.
  3. Insert the Rename Finder Items Action (Finder Library). It will ask you, "This action changes the name of Finder items passed into it. Would you like to add a Copy Finder Items action so that the copies are changed and your originals are preserved?" This is a matter of opinion. I prefer to leave this out, so the files can be changed without having to re-copy them, and we aren't doing anything here that can damage the files.
  4. In the first drop-down option for Rename Finder Items, choose Replace Text. In the Find field, put pps. In the Replace field, put ppt.
  5. Select a .pps file in the Finder and test the workflow using Automator's Run button.
  6. If all goes well with the test, save your workflow. I chose to save it as a Finder plug-in, using File: Save as Plug-in and choosing Finder under the Plug-in for pop-up. I chose to name mine Rename PPS to PPT, but you can name it whatever you would like.
The Finder plugin can be used by selecting a PPS file, control-clicking, going to the Automator sub-menu, and choosing Rename PPS to PPT (or whatever you named your plugin).

Comments (1)


Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20060814155810523