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Use Actions and the Actions panel

Learn how to work with the Actions panel in Photoshop.

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Get started with Actions

An action is a set of predefined tasks used to automate repetitive work in a single file or a batch of files. These can include menu commands, panel options, and tool actions. You can use actions to resize images, apply effects to your images, or save files in a desired format.

Depending on your use, you can use actions as is, customize them, or create new ones. 

Improved Actions panel

Currently available in Photoshop (Beta) on desktop

Go to Window > Actions to work faster and get inspired with recommended multi-step edits applied from the reimagined Actions ( ) panel.

Photoshop analyzes your image and provides a curated list of tailored suggestions that can be directly applied from the Actions panel. Additionally, you can search for more options to discover new Actions and ways of working.

Use the improved Actions panel in Photoshop (Beta) on desktop to work faster with a curated list of dynamic suggestions
Select from a curated list of dynamic suggestions that can be directly applied from an improved Actions panel

Suggested edits and Featured Essentials

The Actions panel will analyze your image and suggest an initial five edits based on your image.

Choose to preview or select to play one or more of the suggested edits.

To see more suggestions, select the refresh button   next to Based on your image. After clicking refresh a third time, the image will get reanalyzed in its current state and offer new suggestions. Featured Essentials contains a list of commonly performed actions that work with most images. 

Live canvas preview

The Actions panel lets you preview an action before you play and commit changes to your document history. Look for the preview icon next to any listed action and mouse over the action in the list to see the preview. If you like the result, you can select to play the action.

Apply on subject or background

Use the three-dot ellipses, or right-click on an action, to view additional options for playing or applying an action, such as only to the image subject or background. 

Search for actions using simple text prompts

Use the search box in the Actions panel to easily find any of the many actions bundled with Photoshop or custom actions you have created or installed. Search using natural language (i.e., "make it pop!") or by typing specific action names directly.

Type a simple text prompt to search for a suitable workflow in the improved Actions panel in Photoshop
Use simple text prompts and search for a workflow

Classic Actions panel

Go to Window > Actions and select Classic Actions to record, play, edit, and delete individual actions. Record action files of your own by selecting the Create new action icon.

Record, edit, and delete individual actions in the Classic Actions panel in Photoshop
Classic Actions panel in Photoshop

Select the triangle icon ( ) beside the set, action, or command to expand or collapse an action in a set or all commands in an action. To work with multiple, contiguous action names, select shift-click, and to work with multiple, non-contiguous actions, select command-click (macOS) / ctrl-click (Windows). 

To view actions by name only, select Button Mode from the Actions panel menu. 

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