How to create an action in Adobe Photoshop

In Adobe Photoshop, an action is a series of functions that have been automated into a list. When you use the action, you save time by having all of the steps in your process be in one place and automated.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop

1. Make sure that the actions window is open. It can be found by looking at the top navigation bar and choosing Window, then Actions.

2. 
   New folder

   Create a new folder for your actions. This way they're easy to find. Do this by clicking on the button in the actions window that looks like a traditional file folder. Name your folder. Click OK.

3. 
   New action

   While having your new folder highlighted, create a new action. Do this by clicking on the button that looks like a piece of paper. Name your action and click record.

4. 
   A series of steps

   Anything you do from this point on will be recorded. If you want to resize images, then resize an image. If you want your action to make your pictures black and white, then make an image black and white. The action can be as simple or as complex as you like and may or may not include a step to save the image.

5. 
   Stop button

   If you need to stop partway through for some reason, click on the stop button. You can also click on this as you are running an action to stop it from playing.

6. 
   Record button

   Click on the record button to add more steps after you've stopped. Make sure that the step you want to precede your recording is the one that is highlighted.

7. 
   Delete button

   If you want to remove a step, simply highlight it and click on the delete button, which looks like a garbage can. You can also use this to delete entire actions or folders.

8. 
   Play button

   To play an action, highlight the name of your new action and click on the play button.

9. 
   Play part of an action

   If you want to only play part of the action, then highlight the step you want to start on and then click on the play button.

Tips & Warnings

• Actions are one of the biggest time savers in Photoshop.
• You can buy and find free actions online that others have made.
• You can create actions that combine multiple actions by creating a new action and then recording yourself clicking on the actions you want to combine.
• This article was written based on and using images from Photoshop CS3, but the instructions should be the same for at least several versions back and work in CS4 as well (I've tried).

Resources

• 88 Secrets to Photoshop for Photographers
• Photoshop tips and Tricks
• Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book

[nicisman08]

on 7/20/2009 Great article. Very well written and very detailed. Thanks. 5 stars.

[Beckybugg]

on 1/21/2009 Actions in photoshop save you sooooo much time. Good article!

[00Analana]

on 1/20/2009 I love actions! They save so much time when you are doing the same thing over and over.

[Altair4]

on 1/20/2009 Great info, thanks! 5*

[KMello]

on 1/18/2009 Nice clear instructions.
This is something I have been wanting to try out. What are a few of the tasks that you use actions for?
Thanks
Karen