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March 31, 2012
Answered

Batch convert TIFFs to PDFs

  • March 31, 2012
  • 2 replies
  • 85128 views

I cannot see any way in the "Create an Action" feature to convert a whole subdirectory of TIFFs, each to its own PDF file of the same name. Hopefully I don't have to do it one-by-one, as I have hundreds of them to convert.

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Correct answer CtDave

Have the TIFF files in one folder.

Open Acrobat X Pro. Select: Edit > Preferences > Convert To PDF > TIFF — now, click on the "Edit Settings" button. Configure as desired.

Next, select Tools > Action Wizard > Create New Action.

In the "Create New Action" dialog —

--| For "Start with" select "A Folder on My Computer".

--| Browse to and select the folder containing the TIFF files.

--| Skip "Steps".

--| For "Save To" select "A Folder on My Computer".

--| Browse to and select the desired folder.

--| Save the Action.

Run the Action. PDFs will be in the "Save To" folder you designated.

If you desire a particular "Initial View" for the PDFs or have common metadata (Title | Author | Subject | Keywords) you can accomplish this.

Edit the Action. Use "Steps".

For Initial View: Document Processing > Set Open Options then open the Options menu to configure.

For common metadata: Content > Add Document Description the open the Options menu to configure.

Are the TIFF files of textual content that wants OCR?

Add OCR to "Steps". Recognize Text > Open Options menu > select desired output style.

Just the tip of the iceberg. There's much more that may be accomplished.

Be well...

2 replies

CtDave
CtDaveCorrect answer
Participating Frequently
March 31, 2012

Have the TIFF files in one folder.

Open Acrobat X Pro. Select: Edit > Preferences > Convert To PDF > TIFF — now, click on the "Edit Settings" button. Configure as desired.

Next, select Tools > Action Wizard > Create New Action.

In the "Create New Action" dialog —

--| For "Start with" select "A Folder on My Computer".

--| Browse to and select the folder containing the TIFF files.

--| Skip "Steps".

--| For "Save To" select "A Folder on My Computer".

--| Browse to and select the desired folder.

--| Save the Action.

Run the Action. PDFs will be in the "Save To" folder you designated.

If you desire a particular "Initial View" for the PDFs or have common metadata (Title | Author | Subject | Keywords) you can accomplish this.

Edit the Action. Use "Steps".

For Initial View: Document Processing > Set Open Options then open the Options menu to configure.

For common metadata: Content > Add Document Description the open the Options menu to configure.

Are the TIFF files of textual content that wants OCR?

Add OCR to "Steps". Recognize Text > Open Options menu > select desired output style.

Just the tip of the iceberg. There's much more that may be accomplished.

Be well...

April 1, 2012

This was perfect. A simple and elegant solution. The trick was to skip the second step!

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 31, 2012

As input for a action you can choose TIFF. As action use Javascript which does nothing.

March 31, 2012

Sorry, but I have NO idea what this means. Perhaps I could not parse the English correctly. Anyway, there is no TIFF input option in the "actions" panel. And what does it mean to use a script that "does nothing"??

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 31, 2012

As tool for your action use 'Execute Javascript'. When you execute the action choose the folder with your TIFF files.