Automate OmniFocus

There are numerous ways to automate OmniFocus, adding speed and convenience to your use of OmniFocus. We’re here to help you make good use of automation.

OmniFocus is a very automation-friendly app. OmniFocus has an integrated Omni Automation feature that allows you to add “plug-ins” to OmniFocus. When you install plug-ins, you add new features to OmniFocus that help streamline your life and work. OmniFocus also has excellent support for Apple Shortcuts, which can be very helpful for quickly creating new tasks and integrating OmniFocus with other apps.

Start Simple

Automation might seem like an advanced subject that’s intended for power users. However, even if you’re relatively new to OmniFocus (and automation in general), you can still make good use of automation. When you create a repeating action or project, you’re automating OmniFocus, saving yourself the hassle of repeatedly creating the same task.

The OmniFocus 4: Beyond the Basics course includes an introduction to automation. You’ll learn to tap into OmniFocus’ built-in automation features, including Omni Automation. This course also includes an introduction to Apple Shortcuts.

OmniFocus Plug-Ins

OmniFocus Plug-Ins

OmniFocus plug-ins add speed and convenience to OmniFocus. We’ve included some of our favourite plug-ins in the OmniFocus Plug-In Directory. To install a plug-in, click the “Install Plug-In” link. One or more features will be added to OmniFocus through the iPhone, iPad and Mac Automation menu. On the Mac and iPad (with hardware keyboard), you can add keyboard shortcuts to the features you use most frequently.

You can use plug-ins, even if you’ve never written a line of code in your life. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can modify existing plug-ins or write your own. Take the Omni Automation – Fundamentals course to learn the basics. If you want to dive deeper, check out the Automating OmniFocus: Guided Tour with Sal Soghoian course. Sal Soghoian works with the Omni Group and is a legend in the world of automation.

Apple Shortcuts

Siri Shortcuts Icon

You can use Apple Shortcuts to build automations for OmniFocus and other apps. For example, you could have a shortcut that prompts you to select a meeting from your calendar and then creates a note in Drafts to take meeting notes linked to an OmniFocus action to prompt you to prepare.

We have a growing library of shortcuts in our OmniFocus Shortcuts Directory. You can use these shortcuts as is or use them as a starting point and modify them to suit your use cases.

Do you need some help getting up to speed with Shortcuts? David Sparks (aka MacSparky), a regular guest on Learn OmniFocus, has some excellent “Shortcuts Field Guides” that offer an in-depth look at basic and advanced topics. There are three Field Guides to pick from: Shortcuts for iPhone and iPad Field GuideShortcuts for Mac Field Guide, and Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide (Plus Edition).

Connect with the Learn OmniFocus Community

Do you have questions about automating OmniFocus? Our Office Hours sessions are a great place to get answers on these and other topics. The sessions are available to all Learn OmniFocus members. To allow for maximum interaction, Office Hours sessions are limited to ten participants.