Guided action saving issues

[andreaf1540630]

I want to use guided actions to batch optimize lots of pdfs for publishing to the web.  I have created a custom action, and then created a cutsom command of save to local folder, designated the folder I want it saved to and then added that custom command to the custom action, and I STILL have to click where i want every single pdf to save, click ok, then click save.  Is it possible to just automate the whole thing and just process and walk away, knowing that the 100 pdfs are happily optimizing and saving to my "Optimized" folder? 

[Tariq Ahmad]

Hi @andreaf1540630, 

Thanks for sharing this issue — we understand how frustrating it can be when a Guided Action fails to complete properly, especially when it comes to saving output.

To help investigate and assist you more effectively, could you please clarify a few details?

To understand the behavior better:

1. Are you using Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Reader?

2. Was the Guided Action created using the Action Wizard, or was it provided by someone else?

3. Does the issue occur with all PDFs, or only certain ones?

4. Are you seeing any error messages or prompts during or after the action runs?

Suggested Checks:

• Try editing the Guided Action in Action Wizard and verifying the “Save” step—ensure the path is valid and accessible.

• Check your folder permissions (especially on macOS or in enterprise environments).

• Temporarily disable Protected Mode (Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced)) and test again — just to isolate the issue.

About Suppressing Save Prompts with

While Acrobat JavaScript allows some automation, including saving files without user interaction, there are important security restrictions:

What’s Possible:

• To trigger saves, you can use this.saveAs() or this.saveAs("path/filename.pdf").

• Prompts can be suppressed if:

  • The script is trusted (i.e., run from a folder-level script or certified context)

  • The save location is predefined and permitted (e.g., whitelisted in Enhanced Security settings)

  • Acrobat is in full version (Pro) — Reader limits many of these operations

Restrictions:

• Acrobat Reader cannot silently save files via script unless it’s part of a certified workflow, like using digital IDs, trusted functions, or approved plugins

• Security prompts cannot be suppressed entirely in untrusted scripts for user safety

What You Can Try:

1. Create a folder-level trusted function in Acrobat’s JavaScript folder that includes your saveAs call. This runs in a privileged context.

2. Ensure the Action Wizard step uses “Save” with predefined output path if possible.

3. If using Acrobat Pro, test with:

this.saveAs("/C/temp/Output.pdf");

4. Under Preferences > Security (Enhanced), you may need to add the output folder as a privileged location.

~Tariq