print xlsx file from command line using ghostscript and libreoffice

Question

I have been searching on how to get libreoffice in headless mode to print to a ghostscript PDF file on Ubuntu Server 12.04.

Can somebody tell me how to do this or if there is an easier way?

I tried with unoconv but the PDF result didn't look right, I am hoping the ghostscript way prints it directly as it looks in Excel.

Thanks

Solution

You can run libreoffice in headless mode, but before executing the following command, first quit/close all running Libreoffice instances.

In order to print xlsx files you'll have to install libreoffice-calc on your server:

sudo apt-get install libreoffice-calc

Then the following command will convert your filename.xlsx into filename.pdf in the same folder:

libreoffice --headless --invisible --convert-to pdf <filename.xlsx> 

and print the document with lpr:

lpr -U username -P the_printer_name <filename.pdf>

---

Note: alternatively you could also print-to-file using this command:

libreoffice --headless --print-to-file --outdir /tmp <filename.xlsx>

Comments

[user260582]

When I enter the first command libreoffice --headless... nothing happens

[user260582]

no nothing, the command seems like it finishes but does not produce a file

[Sylvain Pineau]

When I start this first command I get convert /home/sylvain/Documents/sample.xlsx -> /home/sylvain/Documents/sample.pdf using calc_pdf_Export

[user260582]

I don't get anything, no response or errors

[Sylvain Pineau]

Could you try with another xlsx file? this is the right command to use on Ubuntu 13.10

[user260582]

I just created a new xlsx file with data in one cell and still the same

[Sylvain Pineau]

I have LibreOffice 4.1.3.2 410m0(Build:2) (using libreoffice --version)

[user260582]

I am using the version from the repo, LibreOffice 3.5, I am on 12.04.4 LTS

[Sylvain Pineau]

It works for 13.10, some users reported the need of starting the command from the folder where the file is and using sudo. Time to upgrade?

[user260582]

I just added the libreoffice repo and am now trying with LibreOffice 4.2.2.1. Now I get Could not find Java Runtime Environment

[Sylvain Pineau]

I got this too (javaldx: Could not find a Java Runtime Environment!) but the conversion to pdf succeeded

[user260582]

strange, I get that error but still no PDF file

[Sylvain Pineau]

I'd recommend to upgrade to 13.10 as this command seems to not work for everyone on 12.04

[user260582]

unfortunately it's not that simple as this is a production server

[user260582]

do you know how I can print to file using ghostscript as an alternative?

[Sylvain Pineau]

Could you try this before thinking to an alternative: libreoffice --headless --print-to-file --outdir /tmp <filename.xlsx>, it will give you a filename.ps in /tmp (in theory). If that works I'll update my answer. again be sure to kill all libreoffice processes running on your server.

[Sylvain Pineau]

Did you try printing to a file? what's the outcome?

[user260582]

Hi Sylvain, I tried your command above, unfortunately I do not get a file created, the command runs but nothing

[Sylvain Pineau]

I only get this kind of behaviour when I have other libreoffice processes running. Did you check that on your server?

[user260582]

how would I check if either older libreoffice or openoffice processes are running?

[Sylvain Pineau]

using pgrep -f libreoffice and to kill them pkill -f libreoffice

[user260582]

ok I have made sure no libreoffice processes are running but I still get the same, Java Runtime error, command finishes but no output in /tmp

[Sylvain Pineau]

humm, retested even on a 12.04 system, both commands work, print-to-file and convert-to. The only difference is that in my case I'm running desktop systems.

[Sylvain Pineau]

Could you check that libreoffice-calc is installed and if not install it? sudo apt-get install libreoffice-calc

[user260582]

I might install a 12.04 system with desktop and see if it works for me, not sure how that will help me on my production server though.

[user260582]

BINGO! it worked, libreffice-calc wasn't installed

[Sylvain Pineau]

Excellent, I'll update my answer and add the tag 'server' to your question. Once done please vote and mark it as accepted please

[user260582]

Perfect, one more thing, do you know why when converting using libreoffice it prints out different to excel, over more pages, can I set default page settings anywhere?

[Sylvain Pineau]

Usually print settings/print area are defined in the workbook itself. Regarding the export settings to PDF, check this page. Please mark my answer as accepted please. You can ask a new question about print settings and the Ask Ubuntu community will do its best to help/assist you.