> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.abbyy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Work with batch types

> Create, edit, delete, export, and import batch types in the Scanning Station, protect them with passwords, and distribute them from the server.

If you do not need to apply specific settings to multiple documents, use the **Unsorted** batch type to process images with the default settings. To view the options selected for this batch type, open the **Options...** dialog box (**Tools → Options...**).

You can run the application in Administrator or Operator mode. In Administrator mode, you can freely create, change, export, and import batch types. In Operator mode, you can only import batch types, and the **Unsorted** batch type is disabled, so Operators cannot create or change batch types.

You select Administrator or Operator mode when importing batch types from a file. If the imported batch types are password-protected, enter the password to switch to Administrator mode. Operator mode requires no password.

## Create a batch type

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Batch Types dialog box">
    From the **Tools** menu, select **Batch Types...**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the wizard">
    In the [Batch Types](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/select-batch-type) dialog box, click **New\...** to start the Batch Type Wizard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the batch type">
    Set the options as the wizard prompts you. For more information, see [Batch Type Wizard](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/batch-type-wizard).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Copy a batch type

In the [Batch Types](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/select-batch-type) dialog box, select an existing batch type in the list and click **Copy**. You can then edit the new batch type by changing its properties.

## Edit a batch type

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the batch type">
    In the [Batch Types](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/select-batch-type) dialog box, select the batch type in the list and click **Edit...**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Change the settings">
    In the [Batch Type Properties](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/batch-type-properties) dialog box, make your changes and click **OK**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Delete a batch type

In the [Batch Types](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/select-batch-type) dialog box, select the batch type in the list and click **Delete**. The batches that belonged to it are reassigned to the **Unsorted** batch type.

## Export a batch type

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Export Batch Types dialog box">
    In the [Batch Types](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/select-batch-type) dialog box, select the batch type in the list and click **Export...**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose which batch types to export">
    In the **Export Batch Types** dialog box, specify whether to export all batch types or only the selected ones.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Protect the batch types (optional)">
    To protect the batch types from changes, select **Prohibit editing batch types** and enter a password twice.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the file">
    Click **OK**, then provide the name and location of the destination file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Import a batch type

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start the import">
    In the [Batch Types](/flexi-capture/scanning-station/shared/interface/select-batch-type) dialog box, select the batch type in the list and click **Import...**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the replacement">
    If you created or imported batch types earlier, the Scanning Station warns you that it will delete all previous batch types. The batches that belonged to them are reassigned to the **Unsorted** batch type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the file">
    Specify the file with the batch types to import and click **Open**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  When you pass a batch type that contains external .NET assemblies, include both the XML file with the batch type descriptions and the `.spr` folder, which holds the external assembly files (`*.asr`). When you load a batch type from the server, the `.spr` folder is imported automatically.
</Note>

## Work with password-protected batch types

When you import a password-protected batch type, or edit one before entering its password, the Scanning Station prompts you for the password to switch to Administrator mode. To continue in Operator mode, click **Cancel**.

## Typical workflow

1. The Administrator creates batch types and exports them to the server:
   * To prevent Operators from editing a batch type, select **Prohibit editing batch types**.
   * To load the batch types onto all Scanning Stations bound to the server, select **Distribute these batch types to all Scanning Stations**.
2. Operators start the Scanning Station. They either receive the batch types automatically at startup (if the Administrator selected **Distribute these batch types to all Scanning Stations**) or load them from the server with **Import...**.

<Note>
  When you start the application from the command line, you can import batch types from a file automatically. Use the `/BatchFiles:<file>.xml` command-line option.
</Note>