Batch Processing: Anonymize Multiple Documents at Once

When to Use Batch Processing

anonym.plus offers two processing modes: single-file and batch. Understanding when to use each saves significant time and ensures consistent results across document sets.

Use batch mode when you have large document sets that need consistent anonymization, when you want to apply the same preset across all files, or when you need automated workflows without manual entity-by-entity review. Stick with single-file mode for high-stakes documents requiring careful per-entity review, or when each document needs different operator settings.

Batch Replace vs Batch Encrypt

Batch mode supports both Replace and Encrypt operators. The choice determines whether anonymization is permanent or reversible:

Step-by-Step: Batch Replace

Follow these steps to permanently anonymize multiple documents using the Replace operator:

1. Navigate to Batch Mode tab. The dropzone accepts PDF, DOCX, TXT, CSV, JSON, XML, and XLSX files up to 50 MB per file.
2. Add multiple files. Drag and drop up to 20 files onto the dropzone. Configure your detection preset, select the Replace operator, set concurrency (1-5 parallel files), and toggle auto-approve if you want to skip manual entity review.
3. Review batch settings. Verify your configuration: preset, operator (Replace), parallel file count, auto-approve toggle, continue-on-error toggle, output format, ZIP export option, and filename pattern (e.g., {name}_anonymized.{ext}).
4. Click Start Batch. The progress bar shows overall completion. Each file displays its individual status: queued, analyzing, or complete. Live stats show elapsed time, estimated remaining time, and total entities found across all files.
5. All files complete. Green checkmarks appear next to each successfully processed file with entity counts. Click the Export Results button.
6. Results summary. A modal displays the batch summary: success rate, files completed, total entities detected and replaced, and the ZIP archive is exported to your chosen location.

Step-by-Step: Batch Encrypt

The Batch Encrypt workflow follows the same structure but produces reversible encrypted output:

1. Navigate to Batch Mode tab. Same dropzone accepting PDF, DOCX, TXT, CSV, JSON, XML, and XLSX files.
2. Switch to Encrypt operator. After adding your files, select Encrypt as the operator and choose an encryption key from the dropdown. All files in the batch will use this key.
3. Configure settings. Set concurrency, auto-approve, continue-on-error, and output format. The encryption key is shown in the settings summary for confirmation.
4. Monitor progress. Same progress layout as Batch Replace: per-file status indicators, progress bar, and live statistics for elapsed time, remaining time, and entities found.
5. All files encrypted. Green checkmarks confirm each file was processed. Entity counts show how many PII entities were encrypted in each document.
6. Results summary. The modal shows success rate, files completed, total entities encrypted, and the ZIP archive containing all encrypted files is exported.

Batch Limits and Configuration

The following table summarizes all batch processing limits and configurable options:

You can mix file types within a single batch. The app handles format-specific text extraction independently for each file. Each file in the batch creates its own entry in your local processing history, so you can deanonymize individual files without reprocessing the entire set.