Convert Text to Pdf via Automator

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Level 1

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Convert Text to Pdf via Automator

Dear Friends

I have been trying to come up with a solution for batch processing word documents into pdf.

I receive emails from a government department in word format. What I am wanting to do is to have a rule/automater action in operation where the document is automatically saved into a folder on my system, the file is the then converted into .pdf, and then the .pdf is moved to another folder.

I would be so indebted to anyone who can help me - I am even happy to make a donation via paypal for a solution to this.

Thank you in lieu of any help offerred.

I should say that I have looked though these forums and have been unable to come up with a solution.

I do have the programe 'text to pdf' but it doesn't replicate the word docs very well.

I should state that I own adobe acrobat pro and have a copy of 'pdf convertor 1.1' for automater (can't seem to get this to work).

G5 Dual 2Ghz with 2Gb Ram, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 6, 2006 7:17 AM

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Answer 1

Firebrnad Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 6, 2006 7:06 PM in response to Firebrnad

I would be so indebted for any help offered.

I know many of you are busy, but I am willing to make a paypal donation for a solution.

Thank for

Mark

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Answer 2

Aug 6, 2006 7:13 PM in response to Firebrnad

Hello! Try this article. Tom

Automator Article

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Answer 3

lc55

Level 3

750 points

Aug 7, 2006 10:23 PM in response to Firebrnad

Firebrnad,

This has been a very popular request both from Automator and AppleScript users. Unfortunately it is not an easy problem to resolve without spending some money as both Microsoft and Apple have resisted giving AppleScript capabilities or GUI System Events access to the PDF button in the Print dialog. Hopefully it will arrive in Leopard.

Since you seem to be willing to spend a little money then it is possible through using a number of the Shareware or Commercial macro products. Just consider this money to be my gift to the hard working Macintosh programmers producing these products.

I have tried out automating that dialog using both a shareware product "Extra Suites" ( http://www.kanzu.com/) and a commercial product "iKey" ( http://www.scriptsoftware.com/ikey/). Both seemed to work and both are controllable through AppleScript which means that indirectly through using a "Run AppleScript" action are also controllable from Automator. Not sure whether "Extra Suites" will work on an Intel Mac but iKey will.

Most of the other aspects of your workflow are readily done using standard Automator actions. How were you thinking of automating the saving of the email attachment?

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Answer 4

Sep 13, 2006 12:51 PM in response to Firebrnad

Try this for part of your workflow:

1. Get Folder Contents
2. View Results (This is for debugging)
3. Print Finder Items
a. Print to: Adobe PDF 7.0
4. View Results (This is for debugging)
5. Move Finder Items
a. To: Desktop (or a folder of your choosing)

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Answer 5

Nov 7, 2006 10:34 AM in response to Firebrnad

Hello Firebrnad-
I have the same question as you. Did you ever find a solution?

I have been trying to come up with a solution for
batch processing word documents into pdf.

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