Writing a macro to convert PowerPoint to PDF

[Guest]

All,

Is it possible to write a macro (or vbscript/javascript) to convert a
Powerpoint to PDF?

I have Adobe Distiller/PDF Maker installed, so I can create a PDF using the
Adobe PDF menu, but I'm trying to do this without user actions. In other
words, I'd like to have this as part of a long sequence of automated steps,
so what I'm trying to figure out is how to control the PDFMaker
programmatically.

Many thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Matt Stuehler

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I have Adobe Distiller/PDF Maker installed, so I can create a PDF using the

Adobe PDF menu, but I'm trying to do this without user actions. In other
words, I'd like to have this as part of a long sequence of automated steps,
so what I'm trying to figure out is how to control the PDFMaker
programmatically.

PDFMaker is itself a PPT macro package that's not intended as a developer tool,
so whatever works now may well break in the next release.

You can print to the Adobe PDF or Distiller driver and, if Distiller is set up
properly, it'll automatically make a file of the same name as the PPT file
itself.

Start by recording a macro while you do this manually and work from there.

 

[Guest]

Steve,

Many thanks for your response, and for the information below.

I'd like to be able to call PDFMaker in my macro - however, when I use the
"record macro" function, all I get is an empty macro. Am I doing something
wrong?

I hoping someone can provide an example of a macro that calls PDFMaker, if
such a thing is possible.

Cheers,
Matt Stuehler

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

I'd like to be able to call PDFMaker in my macro - however, when I use the

"record macro" function, all I get is an empty macro. Am I doing something
wrong?

Yes. Trying to record the results of one macro in another. The recorder won't do
that. That's why I suggested a different approach.

The recorder records what you do in PowerPoint but not what other applications (like
MSGraph or Equation Editor) working inside PPT do and it doesn't record what other
macros do.

I hoping someone can provide an example of a macro that calls PDFMaker, if
such a thing is possible.

Not in any reliable way. Is this just for your own temporary use or is it something
you're doing for a client or other users?

 

[Guest]

Steve,

Thanks again for your continued help!

I tried these steps:

1. Manually created a new presentation
2. Manually inserted a chart object, and entered a few data points.
3. Clicked the "record macro" button, and accepted the default name
4. Clicked the PDFMaker button
5. Clicked the "stop recording macro button

When I inspected the macro, there was nothing in it by Begin Sub, End Sub,
and a few comments.

I'm working on this for a client project, so I need something pretty robust.
If I can get it to work, I'd be happy to share it with anyone who is
interested.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Hi Matt,

I was probably not very clear. I meant to suggest that you do this:

- Start the macro recorder
- Choose File, Print
- Choose the Adobe PDF or Distiller printer driver (depending on Acrobat version)
- Choose any other print options you like
- DO NOT choose the "To File" option
- Click OK
- Stop the macro recorder

Depending on the Acrobat driver options, Acrobat may ask the user where to put the file
and what to name it, or it may simply create it automatically.