How to Convert Word to PDF Using Microsoft Power Automate and Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user wants to automate the conversion of Microsoft Word documents to PDF files using Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow) and Adobe Acrobat connectors.
- Product
- Microsoft Power Automate, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Automating document workflows in SharePoint Online to generate PDFs from Word files upon creation or modification.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to successfully configure an automated flow that triggers when a Word file is updated and outputs a converted PDF file using Adobe connectors.
Ensure you have an active Microsoft Power Automate license and the necessary Adobe PDF Services API subscription, as the Adobe connector is a premium feature.
Set Up a Power Automate Flow for Word to PDF Conversion
Create an automated workflow in Power Automate using the Adobe PDF Services connector to seamlessly convert SharePoint Word documents into PDFs.
Microsoft Power Automate allows you to connect SharePoint document libraries directly to Adobe's PDF conversion engine. This process requires creating a triggered flow that pulls the document data and processes it through Adobe's cloud services.
Log in to Microsoft Power Automate. Click on 'Create' in the left sidebar and choose 'Automated cloud flow'. Give your flow a descriptive name and skip the trigger selection for now.
In the flow editor, search for 'SharePoint' and select the trigger 'When a file is created or modified (properties only)'. Enter your SharePoint Site Address and select the specific Library Name where your Word files are stored.
Click 'New step', search for 'SharePoint', and select 'Get file content'. Use the 'Identifier' dynamic content from the previous trigger step to ensure the flow fetches the correct document.
Click 'New step' and search for 'Adobe PDF Services'. Select the 'Convert document to PDF' action. You will be prompted to authenticate with your Adobe API credentials if you haven't already.
Inside the Adobe action, set the 'File Name' field to the 'File name with extension' dynamic content. Set the 'File Content' field to the 'File Content' dynamic content retrieved from the SharePoint step.
Add a final step by searching for 'SharePoint' and choosing 'Create file'. Specify the destination folder path. Set the File Name using the original name but replace the extension with '.pdf'. Finally, set the File Content to the 'PDF File Content' generated by the Adobe action, then save and test your flow.
Need a Simpler Way to Convert Word to PDF? Try WPS Office
If setting up Microsoft Power Automate flows and paying for premium Adobe connectors seems too complex or expensive for your needs, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative. You can instantly save, export, or batch convert Word documents to PDF directly from your desktop without complex API configurations.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the Word document you want to convert.
- 2. Export to PDF: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, navigate to 'Export to PDF', and select it.
- 3. Save the File: Choose your desired save location, adjust the export settings if necessary, and click 'Export' to instantly generate your PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert Word to PDF in Power Automate without premium connectors?
Yes, you can use the built-in OneDrive for Business connector's 'Convert file' action. By temporarily copying the SharePoint file to OneDrive, converting it to PDF using this standard action, and moving it back to SharePoint, you can avoid using premium third-party connectors.
Why is the Adobe PDF Services connector failing to authenticate?
Authentication failures typically occur if you lack the proper Adobe PDF Services API credentials (Client ID and Client Secret) or if your organization's IT policies restrict the use of third-party premium connectors. Verify your credentials in the Adobe Developer Console.
Does Microsoft Flow support bulk converting existing Word files to PDF?
Yes. You can create an instant or scheduled flow that uses the 'Get files (properties only)' SharePoint action. By combining this with an 'Apply to each' loop, you can process and convert an entire library of existing Word documents into PDFs sequentially.
What is the file size limit for converting Word to PDF using the Adobe connector?
The Adobe PDF Services API generally supports file sizes up to 100MB per transaction. However, Power Automate's message size limits (usually 100MB for standard plans) might also dictate the maximum file size you can successfully pass between the SharePoint and Adobe actions.
