Converting documents between different formats is a common task for developers and professionals who deal with various file types. Unoconv is an open-source tool that simplifies this process, allowing you to convert documents like DOCX, ODT, and XLSX to PDF and other formats effortlessly. In this DevTip, we'll explore how to use 'unoconv' to streamline your document workflow.

Introduction to 'unoconv' and its open-source capabilities

'Unoconv' (Universal Office Converter) is a command-line utility that uses LibreOffice or OpenOffice for document conversion. It supports a wide range of document formats, making it a versatile tool for developers needing to automate document processing tasks.

Setting up and installing 'unoconv' on your system

Prerequisites

To use 'unoconv', you need to have LibreOffice or OpenOffice installed on your system. 'Unoconv' relies on these suites to perform the actual conversion.

Installation on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Install LibreOffice and 'unoconv' using apt:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libreoffice unoconv

Installation on macOS

  1. Install Homebrew if you haven't already.

  2. Install LibreOffice:

    brew install --cask libreoffice

  3. Install 'unoconv':

    brew install unoconv

Installation on Windows

  1. Download and install LibreOffice.
  2. Install 'unoconv' by downloading the script from the GitHub repository and placing it in a directory included in your system's PATH.

Common use cases and scenarios where 'unoconv' excels

  • Batch converting documents: Convert multiple files from one format to another seamlessly.
  • Automating report generation: Generate PDF reports from templates in formats like DOCX or ODT.
  • Integrating with scripts: Enhance your workflows by integrating 'unoconv' into shell scripts or other automation tools.
  • Server-side document processing: Use 'unoconv' in backend applications to handle user-uploaded documents.

Step-by-step guide: converting documents from docx to PDF using 'unoconv'

Converting a DOCX file to PDF is straightforward with 'unoconv'.

Command-line usage

unoconv -f pdf document.docx

This command converts document.docx to document.pdf in the same directory.

Batch conversion

To convert all DOCX files in a directory to PDF:

unoconv -f pdf *.docx

How to automate document conversion tasks with 'unoconv' in scripts

You can incorporate 'unoconv' into scripts to automate conversion processes. Here's an example using a simple Bash script.

Bash script example

#!/bin/bash

INPUT_DIR="docs"
OUTPUT_DIR="pdfs"

mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"

for file in "$INPUT_DIR"/*.docx; do
  filename=$(basename "$file" .docx)
  unoconv -f pdf -o "$OUTPUT_DIR/$filename.pdf" "$file"
  echo "Converted $file to $OUTPUT_DIR/$filename.pdf"
done

This script:

  • Creates an output directory if it doesn't exist.
  • Iterates over all DOCX files in the docs directory.
  • Converts each file to PDF and saves it in the pdfs directory.

Using 'unoconv' with Python

You can also use 'unoconv' in Python scripts by calling it via subprocess.

import subprocess
import os

input_dir = 'docs'
output_dir = 'pdfs'
os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)

for filename in os.listdir(input_dir):
    if filename.endswith('.docx'):
        input_path = os.path.join(input_dir, filename)
        output_filename = os.path.splitext(filename)[0] + '.pdf'
        output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, output_filename)

        subprocess.run(['unoconv', '-f', 'pdf', '-o', output_path, input_path])
        print(f'Converted {input_path} to {output_path}')

Troubleshooting common issues encountered when using 'unoconv'

'unoconv' command not found

Ensure that 'unoconv' is installed and accessible in your system's PATH. Verify the installation by running:

unoconv --version

Libreoffice listener issues

Sometimes 'unoconv' may have issues connecting to the LibreOffice listener. You can start a listener manually:

libreoffice --headless --accept="socket,host=127.0.0.1,port=2002;urp;"

Then, run 'unoconv' with the connection parameters:

unoconv -f pdf -d document --port 2002 document.docx

Permission errors

Ensure you have the necessary permissions to read input files and write to the output directory.

Comparison: 'unoconv' vs other document converters like pandoc or libreoffice

  • 'Unoconv': Uses LibreOffice/OpenOffice backend. Supports a wide range of formats, ideal for converting office documents like DOCX, XLSX, PPTX.
  • Pandoc: Great for markup languages (Markdown, HTML, LaTeX). Limited support for DOCX and PDF conversion compared to 'unoconv'.
  • LibreOffice CLI: LibreOffice itself can perform conversions using command-line options. 'Unoconv' simplifies this process and handles some of the complexities.

Key advantages of 'unoconv':

  • Leverages the full capabilities of LibreOffice/OpenOffice.
  • Supports complex documents with formatting, images, and embedded objects.
  • Easy to use in scripts and automation tasks.

Conclusion: enhance your document processing with efficient conversion

'Unoconv' is a powerful tool for developers and professionals who need to automate document conversion tasks. Its ability to handle a variety of formats and integrate into scripts makes it an invaluable asset in your workflow.

At Transloadit, we recognize the importance of efficient document processing. That's why our Document Conversion services utilize 'unoconv' to provide reliable and scalable solutions for your document conversion needs.