Use an Action in Acrobat XI Pro- Tutorial

Use an Action in Acrobat XI Pro: Video Lesson

            This video lesson, titled “Using Actions,” shows you how to use an action in Acrobat XI Pro. This video is from our complete Adobe Acrobat XI Pro training, titled “Mastering Acrobat Made Easy v. XI Pro.”

Use an Action in Acrobat XI Pro: Overview

            Using Acrobat XI Pro, you can automate multistep tasks using actions. An action is a collection of steps that can be performed automatically by Acrobat to save time and streamline workflow. When you use an action in Acrobat, some steps in the action can be completed entirely by Acrobat’s software, while other steps require user input.

            Actions are especially useful for multistep tasks that must be performed frequently. Acrobat XI Pro contains several preset actions that automate common tasks. You can also create, save, and share your own actions that automate tasks related to your specific workflow.

            Action tools are contained within the Action Wizard panel in the Tools pane of the Task Pane. The Action Wizard panel contains two areas. The top of the panel contains tools for creating and managing actions, and the bottom part of the panel contains saved custom actions and the default preset actions.

Use an Action in Acrobat XI Pro- Tutorial: A picture of the “Action Wizard” panel in the Tools pane of the Task Pane within Adobe Acrobat XI Pro.

            To use an action in Acrobat XI Pro, first open a PDF in Acrobat within which you want to run a relevant action. Then display the Action Wizard panel. Then click the name of the action you want to perform within the PDF. When you click an action, the steps contained in the action replace the Tools pane. The Action pane displays the file or files to be processed at the top of the pane, followed by the individual steps within the action. You should take a moment to review the steps in the action. When you are ready to start the action, click the “Start” button. The “Start” button changes into a “Stop” button, which you can click at any time to stop the action before completion, if needed.

            As the action is performed, steps will be highlighted in the Action pane, and the operation will continue until a step requires input from the user. Some steps require values to be selected or information to be entered into a dialog box. Follow along with the steps of the action until the “Stop” button is replaced with the word “Completed.” You can then click the “Close” button that appears above the Tools pane in the Task Pane to close the pane and return to the default display of the Tools pane.

Use an Action in Acrobat XI Pro: Instructions

1. To use an action in Acrobat XI Pro, open a PDF in Acrobat within which you want to run a relevant action.
2. Display the Action Wizard panel in the Tools pane within the Task Pane.
3. Click the name of the action you want to perform within the PDF.
4. The steps contained in the action replace the Tools pane. The Action pane displays the file or files to be processed at the top of the pane, followed by the individual steps within the action. You should take a moment to review the steps in the action.
5. When you are ready to start the action, click the “Start” button.
6. The “Start” button changes into a “Stop” button, which you can click at any time to stop the action before completion, if needed.
7. As the action is performed, steps will be highlighted in the Action pane, and the operation will continue until a step requires input from the user. Some steps require values to be selected or information to be entered into a dialog box.
8. Follow along with the steps of the action until the “Stop” button is replaced with the word “Completed.”
9. You can then click the “Close” button that appears above the Tools pane in the Task Pane to close the pane and return to the default display of the Tools pane.