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.
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();
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.
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.
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.
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. :-)