Saving Word DOCX files as PDF

Question

I'm using openxml to create Word DOCX files. I'd like to save these documents once they are created as PDF files. Is there a way I can do this in openxml? I assume the answer is no. If it is no, is there a recommended library or tool I can use to save / print DOCX files as PDF (programatically, in .NET)? I looked at sharpPDF (PDFSharp), and it seems this library is only for generating PDFs from scratch, not saving DOCX as PDF.

Can I somehow Print to an installed PDF printer, either Cute PDF or the PDF printer built in to Windows 7 in a fully automated fashion?

Update: Looking for free with non-viral license, and preferably doesn't require additional installations.

score 11 · Accepted Answer · edited May 18 '13 at 21:53

11

You could do this with Word automation. You need to have word installed.

var TheDocument = TheWordApp.Documents.Open(docName);

TheDocument.ExportAsFixedFormat(
            docName.Replace(".docx", ".pdf"),
            Word.WdExportFormat.wdExportFormatPDF, 
            OptimizeFor: Word.WdExportOptimizeFor.wdExportOptimizeForOnScreen, 
            BitmapMissingFonts: true, DocStructureTags: false);

((Word._Document)TheDocument).Close();

edited May 18 '13 at 21:53

Mo Patel

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answered Aug 21 '12 at 12:55

cellik

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Microsoft Interop? Yes, this does indeed work. I was hoping to do it without having to have Word installed. This might be my path forward if there isn't a free way to do it without other dependencies. – Stealth Rabbi Aug 21 '12 at 14:24
1

@cellik:does it work with the application configured in IIS? – Saravanan Nov 23 '12 at 10:38

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 21 '12 at 01:26

2

To get from DocX -> PDF you need something that can render a DocX file and provides a PDF export/save capability. Needless to say, there aren't that many tools that can render DocX (Word, OpenOffice/LibreOffice and some other licensed products mentioned below). Depending on your runtime limitations/requirements, you could try:

to use MS Automation to get Word to load the docx and save as PDF.
tools that sit on top of OpenOffice (JODConverter/Docmosis) to do the conversion.
try embedding other document libraries (Aspose, Windward)

I'm not sure about the auto print requirement sorry.

answered Aug 21 '12 at 01:26

Paul Jowett

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You can use docx4j's PDF output in a .NET environment via IKVM, but I'd suggest trying it first in a Java environment to see whether it suits your needs – JasonPlutext Aug 21 '12 at 07:10
For #1, are you referring to the MS OFfice Interop library? – Stealth Rabbi Aug 21 '12 at 10:59
@StealthRabbi - yes sorry for the poor terminology. – Paul Jowett Aug 22 '12 at 00:02
Updating my earlier comment, Plutext now has a commercial docx to PDF converter; try it at http://converter-eval.plutext.com/ – JasonPlutext May 11 '16 at 22:53

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

1

I've successfully used the Aspose suite of tools for this in the past: https://stackoverflow.com/a/5513946/54762. It's not free, but you can demo it before you buy it.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

Community

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answered Aug 21 '12 at 12:57

vinny

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 21 '12 at 15:26

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I have used this VBScript and it works well. It works in the background (opens the docx and saves as PDF using "Save/Export as PDF" option). Check the system requirements listed on the page.

answered Aug 21 '12 at 15:26

gammay

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered May 21 '13 at 12:36

We produce WordGlue .NET which is a generic WP layout engine that can handle doc/docx.

It's completely managed and can be used to export to a variety of formats like image, XPS or (with the help of a PDF library such as ABCpdf) PDF.

I work on the ABCpdf .NET software component so my replies may feature concepts based around ABCpdf. It's just what I know. :-)

Saving Word DOCX files as PDF

5 Answers5

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