---
title: "Automate Document Conversion in SharePoint"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/sharepoint/knowledge-base/automatic-document-conversion-workflow-getting-started/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/sharepoint/knowledge-base/automatic-document-conversion-workflow-getting-started.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-26T18:22:10.456Z"
description: "Learn how to set up automatic document conversions in SharePoint using workflows to enhance efficiency and productivity."
---

# Streamline document conversion in SharePoint

Although our software ships with comprehensive [documentation](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/sharepoint.md), some people find it difficult to determine where to start. In the following, very basic, example we show how to use SharePoint Designer 2010 (works identical in 2013) to create a basic workflow that automatically converts a document as soon as it is created or updated.

Some SharePoint knowledge is required, the user carrying out these steps must have the rights to create workflows and SharePoint Designer must be installed on the system where these steps are carried out.

1. Navigate to (or create) a Document or Forms Library

2. In the Library, open the Ribbon and select _Library / Workflow Settings / Create a Workflow in SharePoint Designer_.

3. SharePoint Designer is opened automatically, specify a name for the Workflow. (When using SP2013 and a pre-8.0 release of the Document Converter, select the SP2010 Workflow Engine from the drop-down menu).

4. Select the _Workflow Settings_ option in the SharePoint Designer Ribbon.

5. Tick the _Start the workflow automatically when an item is created_ option. If you wish select the option underneath as well to carry out the same workflow when the document is updated.

6. Click the _Edit Workflow_ option in the ribbon to return to the workflow editor.

7. In this example we will create the PDF file alongside the source document. We don't wish the workflow to execute the _Convert Action_ on generated PDF files as well, so click the _Condition_ button and select the _If current item field equals value_ option.
   1. In the newly inserted condition click _field_ and select _file type_.
   2. Change _equals_ to _not equals_.
   3. Click _value_ and enter _pdf_ (in lower case).

8. Position the workflow cursor in the box underneath - which is only executed if the previous condition evaluates to _true_- and select _Convert Document_ from the _Action_ menu.

9. Enter the following options in the newly created Action:
   1. this document: select _current item_.
   2. this file: Leave empty to create a PDF file next to the source file. For details about specifying paths see [this blog post](https://www.nutrient.io/blog/specifying-paths-and-file-names-when-using-the-pdf-converter-for-sharepoint/).
   3. file type: Choose _PDF_.
   4. include / exclude: Choose _include_ to copy all meta data to the generated PDF.

10. In the ribbon select the _Publish_ button, which associates the workflow with the Document Library.

That is all there is to it. Create or update a file in the Document Library, after a few seconds the PDF file will be placed in the same folder. For a more complex example based on SharePoint 2007 (but largely identical in SP2010 and SP2013) see [this blog post](https://www.nutrient.io/blog/using-the-pdf-converter-from-a-sharepoint-workflow/).

If you encounter an error then please make sure you can convert files from the regular context menu (without using workflows) first. If that fails then please consult [this Knowledge Base](/guides/document-converter/sharepoint/troubleshooting/validating-converters-and-troubleshooting-errors.md) article.

An overview of all available workflows actions can be found [in our  Knowledge base](/guides/document-converter/sharepoint/knowledge-base/creating-workflows-using-sharepoint-designer-the-muhimbi-pdf-converter.md) as well.

If you encounter any problems or have questions then please contact our support desk on [support@muhimbi.com](mailto:support@muhimbi.com). We love to help.

---

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