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Convert file to pdf with quick actions

Hello,


I have this quick action:

But I can't seem to find an Automator way to add a Convert to PDF. Is there a way? I've been Googling it for a while and nothing seems to help.


Thanks,

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 11, 2020 1:26 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 11, 2020 1:37 PM

There is no such animal in Automator. Open the file in it's default app. See if the app allows an export to PDF option. If not, then click on the Print button. In the Print dialog near the lower left is a dropdown menu labeled PDF. Select the option to Save as PDF. This will produce a PDF file at the chosen destination in the Save dialog.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 11, 2020 1:37 PM in response to imantosh_

There is no such animal in Automator. Open the file in it's default app. See if the app allows an export to PDF option. If not, then click on the Print button. In the Print dialog near the lower left is a dropdown menu labeled PDF. Select the option to Save as PDF. This will produce a PDF file at the chosen destination in the Save dialog.

Mar 11, 2020 2:02 PM in response to imantosh_

There is the key phrase… in their own app. You would need the application that knows how to export its unique internal document format into PDF to do this for you using a Run AppleScript, and the specific AppleScript Dictionary terms that tell that application how to export the PDF. You cannot convert these documents to PDF without the controlling application involvement.


LibreOffice has a command-line soffice tool that can convert from one supported document format to another (e.g. Word or Excel to PDF. This could be used in an Automator Quick Action comprised of a Run Shell Script action.

Convert file to pdf with quick actions

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