# How to approve images but not PDFs or videos

> Limit what automation can render from a stage, or let approvers tick Image, PDF or Video when they approve. Outputs left out stay blocked.

- **URL**: https://orshot.com/help/approve-only-some-outputs

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An approval covers outputs: image, PDF and video. You might approve a social post as an image while its video version still needs a check. Automation then renders the image and blocks the video.

Approval flows are available on Scale and Enterprise plans.

## Outputs, not file formats

| Output | Formats it covers          |
| ------ | -------------------------- |
| Image  | png, jpg, jpeg, webp, avif |
| PDF    | pdf                        |
| Video  | mp4, webm, mov, mkv        |

A gif counts as a video when the template is animated, and as an image when it isn't. You can't approve png but not jpg: both are images.

## Option 1: a stage renders some outputs only

Use this when every template in a stage should render the same outputs. In the flow's settings (the gear on the board), open **Stages** and click the arrow on the approved stage, like **Automation approved**. Under **Automation can render**, keep **Image** ticked and untick **PDF** and **Video**. The change saves right away.

## Option 2: approvers choose per template

You can combine both. Automation renders an output only when the stage allows it and the approval covers it.

## What you'll see

- In the studio's **Approvals** menu, a line saying automation is blocked for videos.
- The "Approved" email says what the approval covers, like "Covers image renders."
- A render of a blocked output gets a `403` with `output_not_approved`: "This template is approved for image, not for video. Get it approved for video to render it."

## Common problems

| You see | Why, and what to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Approve** is greyed out in the dialog | Tick at least one output under **Approve for**. |
| You need PDF later for a template that's already approved | Send it back for review with **Move to**, then approve it again with **PDF** ticked. |
| No **Approve for** in the dialog | The review stage doesn't let approvers choose. Turn on **Approvers choose which outputs they approve**. |

## Related

- **[Output not approved](https://orshot.com/docs/error-reference#output-not-approved)**: The full API response
- **[Require approval for automation](https://orshot.com/help/require-approval-for-automation)**: What gets blocked until a template is approved