Unable to convert Excel files to PDF

[pramodbeema]

Hi all.
I am using FileConverter-2.2-x64-setup.msi and am unable to convert Excel files to PDF.
Anyone please help.

[pramodbeema]

File Converter v2.2 — Microsoft Office Conversion Fix Guide

A comprehensive troubleshooting guide for resolving the issue where File Converter v2.2 hangs indefinitely at the "Preparing..." stage while converting Microsoft Office documents (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) to PDF on Windows 11.

Disclaimer

This is an unofficial community troubleshooting guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the File Converter project.

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The Problem

File Converter v2.2 migrated its underlying engine to .NET 8 / .NET Core. During this transition, several required NetOffice interoperability assemblies are missing from the runtime.

As a result, converting Microsoft Office documents through the File Converter context menu causes the application to remain stuck at the "Preparing..." stage without displaying an error message.

Adding the missing NetOffice runtime DLLs restores Microsoft Office automation and resolves the issue.

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Step 1 — Download the Required Packages

Download the following NuGet packages:

Package | Version -- | -- NetOffice.Core | 1.7.4.11 NetOffice.Excel | 1.7.4.11 NetOffice.Word | 1.7.4.11 NetOffice.PowerPoint | 1.7.4.11

For each package:

1. Open the package page on NuGet.

2. Click Download package.

3. Save all four .nupkg files into the same folder.

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Step 2 — Rename the Packages

NuGet packages are ZIP archives with a different extension.

Open Command Prompt inside the download folder and execute:

ren *.nupkg *.zip

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Step 3 — Extract the DLL Files

Open PowerShell in the same folder and execute:

Get-ChildItem *.zip | ForEach-Object {
    $zipPath = $_.FullName
    $shell = New-Object -ComObject Shell.Application
    $zipFolder = $shell.NameSpace($zipPath)
$zipFolder.Items() |
Where-Object { $_.IsFolder } |
ForEach-Object {

    $libFolder = $_.GetFolder

    $libFolder.Items() |
    Where-Object { $_.IsFolder } |
    ForEach-Object {

        $netFolder = $_.GetFolder

        $netFolder.Items() |
        Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*.dll" } |
        ForEach-Object {

            $destination = "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\" + $_.Name

            if (-not (Test-Path $destination)) {
                $shell.Namespace("$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\").CopyHere($_)
            }
        }
    }
}

}

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Verify the Extracted Files

After extraction, your Desktop should contain the following files:

• ✅ NetOffice.dll

• ✅ OfficeApi.dll

• ✅ VBIDEApi.dll

• ✅ ExcelApi.dll

• ✅ WordApi.dll

• ✅ PowerPointApi.dll

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Step 4 — Copy the DLL Files

Copy all six DLL files into:

C:\Program Files\File Converter

If Windows displays a User Account Control (UAC) prompt, click Continue.

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Step 5 — Restart Windows Explorer

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

2. Open Task Manager.

3. Locate Windows Explorer.

4. Right-click it.

5. Select Restart.

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Verification

Right-click a supported Microsoft Office document (.docx, .xlsx, or .pptx) and choose:

File Converter → To Pdf

The conversion should now complete successfully instead of hanging at "Preparing...".

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Tested With

• Windows 11

• Microsoft Office 2021

• File Converter v2.2

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About File Converter

File Converter is a free and open-source Windows application that adds file conversion options directly to the Windows Explorer context menu.

• Developer: Adrien Allard

• Official Website: https://file-converter.io

• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/Tichau/FileConverter

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License

This guide is provided for educational and troubleshooting purposes only. All trademarks and software mentioned belong to their respective owners.

# File Converter v2.2 — Microsoft Office Conversion Fix Guide

A comprehensive troubleshooting guide for resolving the issue where File Converter v2.2 hangs indefinitely at the "Preparing..." stage while converting Microsoft Office documents (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) to PDF on Windows 11.

Disclaimer

This is an unofficial community troubleshooting guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the File Converter project.

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