Action executes perfectly within file, fails when Batching

[MPKVR]

Using Photoshop 22.4.2 on BigSur 11.4

I've created an Action that I'm using to open a folder of PSD files, crop them square, and save as a JPEG.

The Action runs perfectly as expected when running it on an open file in Photoshop.

Before:

After:

Note that the all the commands completed and a JPEG was saved into the folder on the left.

Closeup of the Action:

I have ~100 PSD files to apply this to, plus other actions/batches I would like to execute in the future, but when I close the open file and use File>Automate>Batch to run the action on a folder of PSDs, the batch fails with a "The command "Select" is not currently available" which is the first command in the Action. This repeats for every command.

Batch window:

Error popup:

Things I've tried:

• Running the Action without the beginning "Select" (assuming maybe the file opens with the layer already selected, and is unable to select it again) returns the same error with "The command "Duplicate" is not currently available". The file that I tested the Action on is also the first file in the folder, so it is the one causing the hiccup in the batch.
• Also tried running the Batch using local folders rather than on a network drive, same result
• Tried with another PSD at the beginning of the folder, same result
• Batching using other Actions (that also work within files) also doesn't work
• Restarted Photoshop
• Restarted Mac

Not sure what I'm doing wrong? I use Actions regularly but haven't tried to Batch in about a year. Has any one else experienced problems like this? Thanks!

[r-bin]

There should be an empty Photoshop window without "Open" buttons and icons with files. You may need to restart Photoshop.

[Kukurykus · Accepted solution]

I didn't follow this thread, just looked at your original post and I think you should record to your action 'open' item (of any file from any location), that should happen before 'Selecting Layer' item. I mean if there's in batch 'Override Action "Open" Commands' then your action should start from it? Without any document opened by action and controlled via batch you're getting error dialog.

[MPKVR]

Apparently you're the first person who looked at my post before replying, because this was the issue, thanks a bunch!

"Override Open" worked opposite of what I expected, which was causing the issue. Photoshop was trying to run an Action item without a file open!

[r-bin]

Yeah.

Well then you should enable "Override Save As" because you have "save as JPG" in action.

Otherwise you will resave your PSD (I think so) : )

[Kukurykus]

Perhaps it could resave the open file if chosen batch destination would be same as opened file. When locations are different possibly enabling that option is not needed to avoid oversaving.

[Kukurykus]

I don't use batch, but my logic was, if so many experienced useres tried to find solution and everyone failed that had to be something they missed, something little and literally stupid 😛

[Bobby6C14]

So what was the solution that didn't involve some other method of batching?  I'm having the same exact problem out of nowhere on an action that has worked for years.

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

So what was the solution that didn't involve some other method of batching?  I'm having the same exact problem out of nowhere on an action that has worked for years.

By @Bobby6C14

If the action includes a recorded open step, then the Batch option for "override action open options" may need to be checked.

If the action includes a recorded save/save as step, then the Batch option for "override action save options" may need to be checked (does not work for recorded export save for web).

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/processing-batch-files.html#process_a_batch_of_files