Convert Google Doc to PDF using Google Script Editior

Question

I've been trying to convert a Google Docs file to a PDF file without having to use the download option. Below is the script I have used in the Script Editor but it doesn't seem to work. I think the error is after the IF statement.

function convertPDF() {
  doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  docblob = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getAs('application/pdf');
  var result = DocumentApp.getUi().alert(
      'Save As PDF?',
      'Save current document (Name:'+doc.getName()+') as PDF',
      DocumentApp.getUi().ButtonSet.YES_NO);
  if (result == DocumentApp.getUi().Button.YES) {
    docblob.setName(doc.getName())
    folder.createFile(docblob);
    DocumentApp.getUi().alert('Your PDF has been converted to a PDF file.');
  } else {
    DocumentApp.getUi().alert('Request has been cancelled.');
  }
}

Amit Agarwal · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-06 05:42:25Z

16

It is failing because the folder is not defined. If you replace it with DriveApp, the PDF will be created in the root folder and your function would work. You can also show the full URL in the message box.

function convertPDF() {
  doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var ui = DocumentApp.getUi();
  var result = ui.alert(
      'Save As PDF?',
      'Save current document (Name:'+doc.getName()+'.pdf) as PDF',
      ui.ButtonSet.YES_NO);
  if (result == ui.Button.YES) {
    docblob = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getAs('application/pdf');
    /* Add the PDF extension */
    docblob.setName(doc.getName() + ".pdf");
    var file = DriveApp.createFile(docblob);
    ui.alert('Your PDF file is available at ' + file.getUrl());
  } else {
    ui.alert('Request has been cancelled.');
  }
}

answered Feb 6, 2015 at 5:42

Amit Agarwal

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1 Comment

Robert Priest Over a year ago

Thank you for your response and explaining my error. Another question is it possible the saved file can be saved in the same folder as the file you are converting?

Stefan van Aalst · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-12 08:04:25Z

11

To save the PDF in the original directory:

function convertPDF() {
  doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  // ADDED
  var docId = doc.getId();
  var docFolder = DriveApp.getFileById(docId).getParents().next().getId();
  // ADDED
  var ui = DocumentApp.getUi();
  var result = ui.alert(
      'Save As PDF?',
      'Save current document (Name:'+doc.getName()+'.pdf) as PDF',
      ui.ButtonSet.YES_NO);
  if (result == ui.Button.YES) {
    docblob = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getAs('application/pdf');
    /* Add the PDF extension */
    docblob.setName(doc.getName() + ".pdf");
    var file = DriveApp.createFile(docblob);
    // ADDED
    var fileId = file.getId();
    moveFileId(fileId, docFolder);
    // ADDED
    ui.alert('Your PDF file is available at ' + file.getUrl());
  } else {
    ui.alert('Request has been cancelled.');
  }
}

And add this generic function

function moveFileId(fileId, toFolderId) {
   var file = DriveApp.getFileById(fileId);
   var source_folder = DriveApp.getFileById(fileId).getParents().next();
   var folder = DriveApp.getFolderById(toFolderId)
   folder.addFile(file);
   source_folder.removeFile(file);
}

answered Aug 12, 2016 at 8:04

Stefan van Aalst

7781 gold badge8 silver badges19 bronze badges

2 Comments

user13509354 Over a year ago

I am using shared drive and I have an error in this row: var file = DriveApp.createFile(docblob);

Radek Over a year ago

very helpful answer, I did use the whole lot

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