Processing a folder of documents is different from processing one upload repeatedly. Buyers need to know which files were included, which version was used and what happened to each item. Ask an agency for a batch workflow that can recover from partial failure without making staff start over or guess what completed.
Related service: AI automation development- 01Confirm the manifest
- 02Process bounded work
- 03Review per-file outcomes
- 04Retry exceptions and reconcile
SECTION 01
Define inclusion and completion
Specify whether a batch uses a snapshot of selected files or continuously picks up new arrivals. Record source versions and a batch identifier. Let operators see excluded, unsupported or duplicate items before submission. A progress percentage without a stable denominator can mislead the person waiting for results.
Microsoft's batch-analysis documentation distinguishes input lists, output storage and operation status. The selected provider's limits and status retention need a current check. Ask the agency to preserve the application evidence needed for your workflow instead of relying indefinitely on a temporary provider status endpoint.
SECTION 02
Illustrative example: a month's delivery receipts
An operations team selects a month's receipts for extraction. Most are clear PDFs, several are photographs, and one is password-protected. The manifest records all selected inputs. The protected document is marked as needing an authorized replacement; it is not silently skipped while the batch reports success.
Completed extractions remain available for review. When the missing document is replaced, the operator retries that item with a linked new version. The batch summary distinguishes extracted, review-needed and imported records. This hypothetical workflow avoids treating a successful model response as proof that the receiving business system contains all expected data.
SECTION 03
Rehearse interrupted and repeated runs
Test worker interruption, one invalid file among valid files, provider throttling and a browser closed during processing. Verify that reopening shows durable progress and that retrying an item does not duplicate downstream records. Microsoft's retry guidance supports distinguishing transient failures from problems that another identical attempt cannot fix.
Deliver a manifest export, result locations, exception reasons and ownership of recovery. Compare a smaller scheduled batch with a large on-demand run when review capacity is limited. The useful throughput is not merely how many documents the model reads; it is how many checked results your team can responsibly accept and use.
SECTION 04
Frequently asked questions
Should one bad file fail the whole batch?
Only if the business process requires all-or-nothing completion. Otherwise preserve per-file outcomes and make partial completion explicit.
Can we add documents to a running batch?
You can design that behavior, but it needs clear inclusion and reporting rules. A fixed manifest is often easier to audit and reconcile.
Is extracted the same as imported?
No. Extraction, review and destination writes are separate stages. Report each stage so operators do not assume unfinished work is complete.
PRIMARY REFERENCES
Sources and further reading
These references cover the standards, platforms, or published prices discussed in the guide. Worked examples and checklists are our editorial guidance.
- Document batch analysisMicrosoft Learn
- Retry patternMicrosoft Learn
EDITORIAL METHOD
About this guide
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