Applescript to batch convert Excel files to PDF (or Automator)

[Change Agent]

Applescript to batch convert Excel files to PDF (or Automator)

I need to translate hundreds of Xcel files to PDF. I have been trying stuff but with no result. Does anybody have a script handy I can get?

Thanks.

 

[BrianBaughn]

If you install LibreOffice, the solution here…

LibreOffice – Batch convert files to PDF

LibreOffice supports PDF conversion. What you need to do is to open the document in LibreOffice and click the Export as PDF… option under the file menu list. It’s good and simple to con…

eureka.ykyuen.info

…actually works but I don't know if you're going to get the results you want.

For instance…it will convert each "sheet" to a separate page but the name of the sheet doesn't show.

 

[Change Agent]

If you install LibreOffice, the solution here…

LibreOffice – Batch convert files to PDF

LibreOffice supports PDF conversion. What you need to do is to open the document in LibreOffice and click the Export as PDF… option under the file menu list. It’s good and simple to con…

eureka.ykyuen.info

…actually works but I don't know if you're going to get the results you want.

For instance…it will convert each "sheet" to a separate page but the name of the sheet doesn't show.

Thanks, not an option as far as I see.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Thanks, not an option as far as I see.

If you expound on that perhaps someone might have acceptable ideas.

 

[Change Agent]

If you expound on that perhaps someone might have acceptable ideas.

Thanks. I have more than 500 MSExcel files to convert. the step to go to OO etc. seems over the top and I like to find a easeir solution.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Thanks. I have more than 500 MSExcel files to convert. the step to go to OO etc. seems over the top and I like to find a easeir solution.

Maybe I'm wrong but sounds to me like you don't understand the procedure…unless you're saying installing LibreOffice is too much for you to handle.

The Terminal command doesn't even require you that you open LibreOffice or convert anything to the ".odt" format. You'd use "*.xlsx", or whatever extension is on your Excel files, in the command.

Also, you could create a Folder Action with Automator that would run the command on Excel files you drop into the folder.

 

[Change Agent]

Indeed I do not understand the instructions. and do not understand how it would work. all to cryptic for me.

 

[Slartibart]

1. install libreoffe (use the default install).
2. have the excel files in some folder on your Mac.
3. open Terminal on your Mac.
4. copy: /Applications/LibreOffice.app/Contents/MacOS/soffice --invisible --nologo --convert-to pdf and paste it into the terminal window (space after »… pdf « at the end!).
5. Drag the icon of the folder which contains your excel files onto the terminal window.
6. at this point the input in the terminal should look like: /Applications/LibreOffice.app/Contents/MacOS/soffice --invisible --nologo --convert-to pdf /whatever/the/path/to/the/folder/with/the/excelstuff/you/drop/is/
7. type and add *.xls (space before » *.xls!«) and press return.

EDIT: here is a solution using Applescript delivering the same. Other options are, according to my search engine of choice, available. 🤓

 

[Change Agent]

aha! Thanks. for translating, that I can understand. will test later when on the machine.

 

[Change Agent]

Ok this is what i get in Terminal, but get an error.

/Applications/LibreOffice.app/Contents/MacOS/soffice --invisible --nologo --convert-to pdf/Users/e/Desktop/Invoices/444\ copy *.xls

error = no matches found: *.xls

 

[bogdanw]

Ok this is what i get in Terminal, but get an error.

/Applications/LibreOffice.app/Contents/MacOS/soffice --invisible --nologo --convert-to pdf/Users/e/Desktop/Invoices/444\ copy *.xls

error = no matches found: *.xls

You forgot to press space between pdf and the folder

/Applications/LibreOffice.app/Contents/MacOS/soffice --invisible --nologo --convert-to pdf /Users/e/Desktop/Invoices/444\ copy *.xls

 

[Change Agent]

Thanks, will test later

 

[Change Agent]

Thanks! OAO.

 

[Slartibart]

you have space in folder names? in that case you have to put the path to the excel files into quotes: … --convert-to pdf "pdf/Users/e/Desktop/Invoices/444\ copy" *.xls

 

[Change Agent]

will try later when back at the machine

 

[Change Agent]

Got it to work, thanks.