How to Make Acrobat Action Wizard Process Current Folder Files
Question details
The user needs to configure an Acrobat Pro Action Wizard workflow to process the current contents of a target folder rather than remembering files from previous runs.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Running an automated workflow on a specific directory using the Action Wizard tool.
- Observed behavior
- The Action Wizard processes files from a previous run instead of the updated files currently stored in the target folder.
Ensure that the folder you intend to process is accessible on your system and contains only the PDF files you want included in the current workflow run.
Select the Folder as the Input Source in Action Wizard
Configure the action to target the entire folder rather than individual files so it dynamically processes the current folder contents upon each run.
When individual files are selected during the creation of an action, Acrobat remembers those specific file paths. By changing the input source to a folder, Acrobat is forced to look at the directory's current contents every time the action is triggered.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro and select the 'Action Wizard' tool from the Tools menu.
Click 'Manage Actions' in the toolbar, select the action you want to modify, and click 'Edit'.
Under the 'Files to Be Processed' section on the right side of the window, select and remove any individually listed files from previous runs.
Click the 'Add Folder' option (or use the 'Add Files' drop-down to select 'Add Folder') and choose the target directory.
Save the updated action. When you run it next, Acrobat will prompt you for the folder and process its current contents.
Batch Process PDFs Easily with WPS Office
If you are looking for an intuitive way to manage, convert, or print multiple PDF files at once, WPS Office offers a built-in Batch Processing tool that easily selects current folder contents without complex configurations.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and navigate to the PDF tab.
- 2. Select Batch Tool: Click on 'Batch' or select the specific batch tool you need (e.g., PDF to Word, Batch Print).
- 3. Add Folder: Click 'Add Folder' to import all current files from your target directory dynamically.
- 4. Start Processing: Configure your output settings and click 'Start' to process the files simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Action Wizard keep processing my old files?
This happens when specific files were selected and saved during the action's creation instead of selecting the parent folder. Acrobat remembers the exact file paths of the originally selected files.
Can I exclude certain file types when processing a folder in Action Wizard?
Yes, Acrobat usually processes recognizable PDF files and supported formats within the selected folder. You can adjust the Action settings or ensure the target folder only contains the specific PDFs you want to process.
Does Action Wizard process subfolders automatically?
When adding a folder to be processed, Acrobat provides an option to include or exclude subfolders. Ensure you check the 'Include all subfolders' option if you need nested files processed.
How do I stop the Action Wizard from prompting me every time it runs?
When editing the action, uncheck the 'Prompt User' checkbox next to the specific steps or the input folder if you want the action to run silently with the pre-configured settings.
