What is the ATN file format?
.atn is a settings file associated with Adobe Photoshop. .atn files store actions - a type of macro command - recorded in the program. .atn files allow users to save commonly used functions in one file and group them to form sequences of procedurally executed functions, similar to macros. Each file can hold one or more named action sets, stored internally as big-endian binary descriptor data in Adobe's proprietary undocumented format introduced with Photoshop 4.0. .atn files are managed via the Photoshop Actions panel.
Photoshop actions allow users to automate well-defined and repetitive editing steps and apply them across various projects. One of the most commonly used actions is resizing all images in a given project to a certain value. Any action available in Photoshop can be recorded and exported to an .atn file. Each action can optionally be assigned a function-key shortcut for one-keystroke playback. Unlike sibling preset formats such as .abr (brushes) or .asl (layer styles), .atn files contain executable steps rather than static assets.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn .atn is recorded Photoshop steps, not standalone executable code - it can only do what Photoshop commands allow when you play it, so it can't infect your system the way a program can. The realistic cautions: a malicious or sloppy action could overwrite or batch-export your files in unexpected places, so review/preview the steps and test on copies first; and many 'free Photoshop actions' sites wrap downloads in adware installers - get packs from reputable sources (Adobe, established creators) and Photoshop only from adobe.com.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open ATN files
Windows2 apps
Adobe Photoshop
Paid Window > Actions, then panel menu > Load Actions and select the .atn; play it via the Play button or batch it under File > Automate > Batch. 
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Paid Place the .atn in the Photoshop Elements Actions folder (or use the Actions panel) to run compatible action sets. Some Photoshop-only steps may be skipped. 
macOS2 apps
Adobe Photoshop
Paid Window > Actions > panel menu > Load Actions, choose the .atn; the action set appears in the Actions panel.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Paid Add the .atn to the Elements Actions folder to use compatible actions. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Recorded macro/action set; proprietary binary |
| Byte order | Big-endian |
| Compression | Uncompressed - file size grows linearly with the number of recorded steps |
| File structure | Leading big-endian version word followed by named action sets; each set contains ordered actions whose steps are serialized as Photoshop descriptor data (event identifier + typed parameters) |
| Magic bytes | No stable public magic sequence; file begins with a big-endian version word, but Adobe has not published a fixed byte signature |
| Data integrity | No embedded checksum or digital signature; corruption cannot be detected by the file itself |
| Typical file size | A few KB to a few hundred KB, depending on the number of actions and recorded steps |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (no registered vendor MIME type) |
| Compatible platforms | Windows and macOS |
| Execution support | Adobe Photoshop (full); Adobe Photoshop Elements (partial - a subset of action types is supported) |
| Keyboard shortcut assignment | Each action can optionally be mapped to a function-key shortcut (F2-F12, with optional Shift or Ctrl modifiers) |
| Action set grouping | A single .atn file can contain multiple named action sets, each independently named and playable as a unit |
| Related preset formats | Sibling Photoshop binary preset types: .abr (brushes), .asl (layer styles), .grd (gradients), .pat (patterns), .csh (custom shapes) |
| Released | Adobe Photoshop 4.0 (1996, when Actions were added) |
| Latest version | Current Photoshop (Creative Cloud) .atn format |
| Specification | www.adobe.com |
ATN conversions
Community Q&A
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