how do I use automator to batch convert doc to pdf?

I have a similar problem which needs batch converting:

I have got on a CDROM roughly 1200 .pdf documents which I need to open with preview and than to export as PDF.

This sounds a little odd but I have to do this because the documents, as they are currently saved, appear to be sort of corrupted and by this process the corruption is cured.

Thanks for any help!

Hi Albatros,

Here's an applescript that:

1.) Opens pdf documents in preview

2.) Exports the documents to the open save dialog folder

3.) Replaces existing files [if applicable]

4.) Closes the document afterwards

http://goo.gl/XYTo3O

It's a GUI script and it's not perfect. Beware that it exports the pdf document to the folder to which the "Export..." dialog opens and overwrites files with the same name (usually the original pdf file).

Cheers,

Colin

Dear Colin,

Thanks a lot - but I doesn't work. After selecting the folder, I receive the error message: "Handler can't handle object of this class".😟

Any idea what goes wrong?

Thanks again.

Cheers,

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

It should work now. Can you download it again?

http://goo.gl/XYTo3O

Cheers,

Colin

Hi Colin,

Well, actually the error message has changed… Now it says: "Can't get POSIX file "<file name>" of application "Finder".

Any idea?

Thanks

Cheers,

Oliver

My mistake. Should work now.

Thanks - progressing.

But now it says: "Can't make application "System Events" into type number or string".

Oh gosh, quite complicated this stuff!

Can you see if it works now?

Which OS X version do you have?

Now it appears to work - however, I would need to enable "assistive access". What is this, what does it do?

My Mac is running 10.9.3.

Almost there, hopefully 🙂

You need to enable General User Interface (GUI) scripting.

Open System Preferences and check Enable Access for Assistive Devices in the Accessibility (or Universal Access) preference pane, then run the script again.

Yesss … almost :-(

It now actually does what it should but after 4 times preview is stuck - not responding.

I also noticed that the file remains always open - maybe this is linked to it?

Sorry!

The files are probably bigger than the ones I tested this on. I increased the delays between every step. Will take a bit longer, but it should be ok now.

Victory!!!!!!!!

It works!!!!

Thank you ever so much!!!

Hey genius,

would you mind to make one that allow us to choose file by file instead of folders?

PLEASE!!!

Hi Aaron,

I changed it somewhat. Didn't realize that more people deal with this issue.

goo.gl/XYTo3O

Or did you mean the doc to pdf converter?

Cheers,

Colin