Play actions on a batch of files

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to play actions on a batch of files in Adobe Illustrator to automate repetitive tasks across documents.

Select Window > Actions.

The Actions option is highlighted in the Window dropdown menu. — Select Actions from the Window menu to access and manage automated tasks in Adobe Illustrator.

Select Batch from the Actions panel menu.

For Play, select the action you want to play.

For Source, select the Folder on which to play the action or select Data Sets to play the action on each data set in the current file.

For Destination, specify what you want to do with the processed files. You can leave the files open without saving the changes (None), save and close the file in their current location (Save and Close), or save the files to a different location (Folder).

Specify how you want Illustrator to handle errors during the batch process. If you select Log Errors to File, select Save As, and name the error file.

Select OK.

Tip

To batch-process using multiple actions, create a new action, and record the Batch command for each action you want to use. This technique also lets you process multiple folders in a single batch. To batch-process multiple folders, create aliases within a folder to the other folders you want to process.

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