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Can I convert documents to PDF format using ContactsLaw?

Yes. ContactsLaw supports conversion to PDF under the following scenarios:
  • On-the-fly conversion of e-mail attachments to PDF during document creation
    For any document template that produces an e-mail message, the original/copy attribute for the enclosures is replaced with an "as PDF" option. Any attachments with this option set will be seamlessly converted to PDF format.

  • Save to My Computer and convert to PDF
    When saving a document to My Computer (from the document properties window, the document search or the documents tab), PDF format will appear as an option on the dialog box that opens.

An appropriate plug-in is required to convert documents to PDF format. ContactsLaw ships with support for:

  • Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)*
  • Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)*
  • Microsoft Outlook (.msg)*+
  • TIFF images

* Requires the Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS Add-in for Office.
+ Conversion of Outlook documents to PDF requires Microsoft Word to be installed.

Why doesn't ContactsLaw allow conversion to PDF during registration or finalisation?

There are several reasons for this:

  • The PDF format typically occupies more disk space.
  • PDF files typically take longer to search through.
  • It is more difficult to determine at-a-glance whether a PDF contains text or images only.
  • Conversion to PDF is a destructive process; the document cannot be converted back into an editable format after conversion.
  • Re-drafting using the 'duplicate document' feature is not possible for PDFs.