Batch eml-to-pdf?
The big picture is that I'm dealing with file management for a discovery request in a lawsuit. I have several dozen (and counting) emails originating from Apple Mail (.eml format) that are saved on a thumb drive. Their file names are sequential (e.g. DR1_1.eml DR1_2.eml, etc). What I need is to batch convert these eml files to pdf and either retain the name of the locally-saved eml files (minus the extension, of course) or at least keep the files in the same sequence.
What I've established/attempted/been thinking so far through 7+ hours of frustration:
- The Apple Mail app supports eml-to-pdf through File > Export as pdf.
- Also, and as always with the Print Dialog Box, there is the option to convert the relevant file to pdf at the bottom left corner. Messages open in the Apple Mail app are no exception.
- This makes me think that the eml-to-pdf capability is within the OS as opposed to Apple Mail. (But if I'm wrong about something here, I'd put my money on this.)
- This can also be done using a print-to-pdf driver.
- Batch printing (and hence conversion to pdf via a print-to-pdf driver) can be done in OS 10.10.2--at least for a number of file types (e.g. .txt. .rft, .jpg)--via the Finder, simply by selecting the files to be printed, and then, just as when using a relevant application, going to File > Print or typing Command-P).
- This method of batch printing does not appear to work, however, when the file type is .eml.
- Changing the extension of the files to a file type that will batch print (.txt or .rtf) works to some degree, but there are too many conversion errors for my purposes.
- Using Automator I figured out that eml files can be batch converted to an Outlook format, and from there to pdf . However, in the initial conversion, the file name is replaced with the subject of the message. This doesn't work because I need to retain the files' established sequence. (Sorting by date/time does no good; either they aren't converted in order or some convert faster than others.) I couldn't figure out how to make Automator not change the file names.
- There's plenty of conversion software out there that will do this... as long as you're using Windows. I can't find any for Mac OS.
- Having purchased my macbook pro within the last 90 days I was hoping Apple could help, but I got preschool-level suggestions like "you need to download software called Adobe reader" or "try a Google search."
... surely there must be a way to do this that doesn't involve buying a new computer that runs Windows? I don't care if means buying expensive third party software or developing crazy scripts or workflows. Can anyone help? Thanks for considering!
MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), null
