Substituted N-benzoylanthranilic acid derivatives of the formula I I and their anhydro compounds, of the formula II II where R1 is substituted phenyl, R2 is hydrogen, nitro, cyano or halogen, X is hydrogen, halogen, nitro or cyano, or is alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, haloalkylmercapto or alkylmercapto, each of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Y is -OR6 or where R6 is hydrogen, or is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl each of up to 4 carbon atoms, or is one equivalent of an alkaline earth metal cation, of an alkali metal cation or of an ammonium ion which is unsubstituted or is substituted by alkyls of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R7 and R8 independently of one another are hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, herbicides containing these compounds, and processes for controlling undesired plant growth by means of these compounds.