converting MS Office files->to PDF, mainly on MAC 10.3.9

[prepress_brillance_43]

I'm looking for feedback on what people are using for converting MS Office files(any and all of the crappy MS Office software) to PDF, mainly on MAC 10.3.9 There are quite a lot of "conversion" softwares out there, but is there a plugin that's more reliable and accurate, and more widely used by people in here. Is there a software that could keep me from buying Office for MAC? I have found a site that will convert, almost any office file extension to pdf for free, but does not embed fonts :evil: , you all see the problem with this. I don't have enough office files coming in to support the reason for needing the software(office MAC) to my boss, but I do have some come in. He just says "get one of the free conversion dealies they have online, I have one at home that works great.." shssssiish! yea, I'll bet you do. Any suggestions? Thanks all.

Originally Posted by prepress_brillance_43

I'm looking for feedback on what people are using for converting MS Office files(any and all of the crappy MS Office software) to PDF, mainly on MAC 10.3.9

I open in the native app, choose my "virtual printer" and print .ps to .pdf. Open the .pdf in Acrobat and use Pitstop to correct for output. I use this method in OS 9.x, OS X, and Windows OS. It's a very solid method, tell your boss to get the office apps for you. If it saves a couple reprints it will pay for itself in no time.

vee

[prepress_brillance_43]

sounds good, that's kinda what I thought someone would say... thanks, _vee.

you know what though, it doesn't come with publisher. Can publisher even run on MAC, or is there not a MAC version?...

PS. I don't want to deal with files in publisher but better to head off issues before they are issues, right?

He probably won't go for the purchase, but it's worth trying. This way you can have a technically solid way of dealing w/ the crud of microsoft. Oh, and when you mention it to him, throw in the whole "If it saves a couple reprints it will pay for itself in no time. " Good luck.

vee

[seetomtype]

No Publisher for Mac yet. Thank god for small favors.

I run the same process that vee does on the PC, except I don't have Pitstop. I have worked on one Mac Microsoft file in the past 3 years, so I can't speak to that.

[SlaveToTheMan]

Join the PSPP thing at Microsoft, get your free copy of PublishWhore, and install it on a PeeCee in the office. All you have to be able to do is get a .ps out then take it from there right?

Ahhhhh, the joys of M$ apps. :roll:

[prepress_brillance_43]

Join the PSPP thing at Microsoft, get your free copy of PublishWhore, and install it on a PeeCee in the office. All you have to be able to do is get a .ps out then take it from there right?

what version of publisher do they give you?... I have Pub. 2003 on PC now, and have used it a couple times. I was hoping there was a way to keep it all MAC, but nonetheless. NADA. Thanks Slave.

[geozinger]

Back in the last century there WAS a version of Publisher for Mac, I believe it was a parity release with Pub 97. It was so lame, they never bothered with another version for Mac.

Just a little piece of trivia for you. :wink:

[Sparky]

Our versions of MS Office (Word, Exel, PowerPoint etc.) for whatever reason have an "export to PDF" button in the tool bar. I think it was as an option or plug-in for MS apps but I'm not sure. It even allowed you to pre-set the PDF options before exporting, i.e. "Press", "Print", "Screen" etc.

Don't even think of asking me how it got there I just accept it as a "Gift from Heaven" and use it as I need it :roll:

[prepress_brillance_43]

YES! 8O :clap: Sparky, at my last shop, same thing. Was just in my tool bar, who knows who put it there? I would like that plugin please, if anyone one knows what we're talking about.

Edit:
Went searching.... http://www.clicktoconvert.com/index.html thanks for bringing it up sparky. 15 day trial, $90 single license... :wink: 8)

Edit 2:
Found a site says this> "After installing Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional, it automatically placed an Acrobat PDF toolbar within Word and Excel. This toolbar would be placed on its own, which became an eyesore. Trying to close out of it, or going to Views -> Toolbars -> Delete would only remove it until the program next started.

There is a fix for this, thankfully. Go to: /Applications -> Microsoft Office X -> Office -> Startup. Within that folder, go into Excel and remove PDFMaker.xla. Back up one leve, then go into the Word folder and remove PDFMaker.dot. Problem solved." ...hmmmm. :?: :idea: