Convert Excel (XLS/XLSX) to PDF in Node.js: Step-by-step guide

Prerequisites

Verify the Node.js and npm versions:

node -v
npm -v

Install LibreOffice (only for the first approach)

Prefer a GUI installer? Download it from the LibreOffice website(opens in a new tab).

Check that LibreOffice starts before running the Node.js example. On macOS, use /Applications/LibreOffice.app/Contents/MacOS/soffice --version; on Linux, use libreoffice --version. The package’s installation instructions(opens in a new tab) describe where it looks for the executable.

Approach 1: Using libreoffice-convert

Why choose libreoffice-convert

• The Node.js wrapper is MIT-licensed(opens in a new tab); LibreOffice has its own license.
• Supports a broad range of Office file types out of the box.
• Great for batch jobs or migrations when LibreOffice is already installed.

Installation

mkdir excel-to-pdf && cd excel-to-pdf
npm init -y
npm i libreoffice-convert

This command creates a new directory named excel-to-pdf, initializes a new Node.js project, and installs the libreoffice-convert package.

Convert Excel to PDF with libreoffice-convert

Download chart.xlsx into the excel-to-pdf directory. Keep that filename, and save the following complete example as libreoffice.mjs.

import path from "node:path";
import { readFile, writeFile } from "node:fs/promises";
import libre from "libreoffice-convert";

async function convertExcelWithLibre() {
  try {
    const inputPath = path.resolve("chart.xlsx");
    const outputPath = path.resolve("libreoffice.pdf");

    const xlsxBuf = await readFile(inputPath);
    const pdfBuf = await new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
      libre.convert(xlsxBuf, "pdf", undefined, (error, result) => {
        if (error) {
          reject(error);
        } else {
          resolve(result);
        }
      });
    });

    await writeFile(outputPath, pdfBuf);
    console.log("Conversion finished:", outputPath);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error("Conversion failed:", err);
    process.exitCode = 1;
  }
}

convertExcelWithLibre();

Run it from the directory containing chart.xlsx:

node libreoffice.mjs

The script passes the workbook bytes and the "pdf" output format to LibreOffice and writes libreoffice.pdf. If the executable is missing or conversion fails, it reports the error and exits with a nonzero status.

Approach 2: Using Nutrient Node.js SDK

Nutrient Node.js SDK converts Office documents to PDF inside a Node.js application without installing LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. The Office conversion guide documents the load() and exportPDF() methods used below.

Comparing the two approaches

Test the workbook’s print areas, page breaks, and fonts in the chosen runtime. Installing a package alone doesn’t establish PDF/A conformance or serverless compatibility.

Convert Excel to PDF with Nutrient Node.js SDK

1. Initialize a new Node.js project:

   npm init -y

   This command creates a package.json file in the project directory for managing the project’s dependencies.

2. Install the Nutrient Node.js SDK package:

   npm install @nutrient-sdk/node

3. Save chart.xlsx in the project directory, keeping its filename.

4. Create nutrient.mjs in the same directory:

   import { load } from "@nutrient-sdk/node";
   import { readFileSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
   
   async function convertExcelWithNutrient() {
     const excel = readFileSync("chart.xlsx");
   
     const instance = await load({
       document: excel,
     });
   
     try {
       const pdf = await instance.exportPDF();
       writeFileSync("nutrient.pdf", Buffer.from(pdf));
       console.log("Done! File written to nutrient.pdf");
     } finally {
       await instance.close();
     }
   }
   
   convertExcelWithNutrient().catch((error) => {
     console.error("Conversion failed:", error);
     process.exitCode = 1;
   });

   The script loads the workbook and exports nutrient.pdf. The finally block closes the document even if export or writing the file fails.

   Trial output includes a watermark. To configure a license, follow the Node.js licensing guide.

5. Run the script to start the conversion:

   node nutrient.mjs

Open nutrient.pdf and compare it with the workbook. Check each sheet’s print area, page count, and values, plus any chart labels. If fonts change, follow the custom font instructions and convert again.

The sample exported as one tall page in a macOS test with Node.js 24.14.1 and Nutrient Node.js SDK 1.3.0. One long museum name was clipped. Review column widths and pagination before distributing the output.

Conclusion

Use libreoffice-convert when the application can run and maintain a LibreOffice installation. Use Nutrient Node.js SDK when Office conversion needs to run within the Node.js application without that installation.

Follow the Node.js conversion guide to try Nutrient with a representative workbook, or request a trial. Check the exported PDF before distributing it or passing it to another document workflow.

FAQ