Install / Setup Local Word Conversion Utility

This page helps keep intact Word-to-PDF conversion private by using either Microsoft Word or LibreOffice/OpenOffice installed on the same computer. The browser cannot silently install system software for security reasons, so this page gives setup guidance and status checking.

Current local converter status: Not ready
Auto-selected engine: None
Preferred local engine in config: auto

Microsoft Word local utility

Status: Not detected

Best fidelity on Windows when MS Word is installed and licensed. DOC/DOCX files are sent only to localhost/XAMPP, converted by Word in the background, and temporary files are deleted.

Word path: Not detected

PowerShell: Not detected

LibreOffice / OpenOffice local utility

Status: Not detected

Recommended open-source local converter. Good for local computers, internal servers, Linux VPS, and systems where MS Word is unavailable.

Path: Not detected

Download LibreOffice

Re-check local converters Open hosting privacy notes

If auto-detection fails

Edit converter_config.php and set one of these paths manually:

$LOCAL_WORD_CONVERTER['msword_path'] = 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE';

$LOCAL_WORD_CONVERTER['soffice_path'] = 'C:\Program Files\LibreOffice\program\soffice.exe';

For local Windows/XAMPP, Microsoft Word or LibreOffice may be used. For public web hosting/VPS, LibreOffice is usually safer than unattended MS Word automation.

Privacy modes in the editor

Private local utility: best privacy option for intact Word conversion; files go only to localhost/private server and temporary files are deleted.
Server-side converter: use only for a trusted private server/VPS when the user accepts upload for Word conversion.
Browser-only Word fallback removed: it was removed because it does not preserve formatting, embedded images, tables or page layout.

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