How to batch convert MS Word to PDF

bobobrussel

Hi there, does anyone know how I can batch convert multiple Word files to PDF using Acrobat Pro 8.

Alternatively, is there any other program that can do this?

All I want to do is slect a large folder of Word files and drag into another application so that it will convert to PDF without having to open each file in Word and then printing to PDF.

STEG_2

Hi bobobrussel

there is and i use it all the time its called NovaPDF

you can get it here http://www.novapdf.com/download.php

Its not free there would be a cost if you want to remove the display at the bottom of the pages about NovaPDF.

But if you just want to create PDF files for your personnel or for none official release this would be a fine way to do it

All you need to do is highlight all the documents you want to print to PDF click print then choose NovaPDF as your printer and away it goes.

It can be slow in the create, on average around 3 min for a 10 page document but it works.

hope this helps

MercilessKiller

I prefer "PDF Creator"
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

You install it. Then it creates a virtual printer.

You go to word, file > print .. in the printer bit select "PDF Creator"

Then you get a popup asking for a filename. You type it in, press save, and vwala.. you have a PDF

Completely free too. And VERY fast.

If there is a free batch application use that. If not this takes a couple of seconds per doc

Bob63

Install OpenOffice then use the batch convertor on this page - http://www.artofsolving.com/opensource/pyodconverter

nullogik

I like PrimoPDF which is freeware and having been using it for years. It works in the same way as the others mentioned the above posts ie. as a virtual printer.

http://www.primopdf.com/

If you want something to batch convert, then NitroPDF (sister app) can do this but it is not free.

http://www.nitropdf.com/index.asp

STEG_2

Just downloaded PDF Creator and to be honest I swiftly set about uninstalling NovaPDF. They both do the same job but why buy when your can get it for free

Nice call MercilessKiller

MercilessKiller

Glad you like it We use it every day when creating customer reports etc... great little app!

don't forget the thanks

STEG_2

Thanks Applied ,

Just a not you can batch all the files together to print it can be a little messy as it needs user intervention as each one is created but it works all the same.

I am now searching my work files for anything to convert its so much quicker than NovaPDF.

bobobrussel

Thanks for all of your replies. My problem was that in my job I have literally hundreds of Word documents to convert to PDF and was using Adobe Acrobat Pro 8, which you would think would be perfect for the job? However, due to its many options, it was easy to mis-configure the settings, resulting in the fonts failing to embed in the document. then when they were sent to the printers, the documents would print with missing fonts or text wrap issues. A brilliant program let down by too many features.

Some of your suggestions were partly useful because many of the basic FREE PDF converters simply enbed everything, which results in a printer perfect file, albeit slightly bloated in size (Acrobat Pro is better at minimising the file sizes).

:jFOUND THE ANSWER!! :j
I posted the same query on a number of techie sites and was directed to visit http://www.e-pdfconverter.com/document-converter/index.html which is EACTLY what I am looking for. Although not free (£33.33), it allows one to drag Word documents into a window and then tell it to print to PDF (or any number of other file types) and then it converts on the fly WITHOUT having to open each file in Word..BRILLIANT!

This means for example, that I can drag say 50 files into the converter and then just click print.This will save not just hours but weeks in PDF converting and increase our workflow and efficiency immensly.

Once agin, thanks for all your suggestions and I hope this posting helps others in a similar position

GeorgeUK

Well, just for the hell of it - as it never got a mention...

PDF995 - basically a postscript printer, so you preint to PDF995 and it acts like saveas. They also do a free editor - handy if you need to combine PDF's into one document.

withabix

I use Cute PDF Writer.

It's freeware and a lot of large companies use it as a pdf creator - installs as a printer like some of the other ones do.