Thanks for the reply.
So, just to be absolutely clear about this.........the *only* way to apply a set of spot/dust removals on one image to an entire folder of images is via the retouch tool in ACR4. Right? Even if I was willing to use something other than the Spot Healing Brush Tool - e.g. the Clone Stamp tool?
Sorry for labouring the point, but the ability to process in software other than ACR would be attractive occasionally.
Thanks again.
D.