Looking for a Pro who can help with PDF splitting

Questions & Suggestions
1

Hi everyone!
I'm a new user of KM and I've already created some simple macros to solve my daily problems. However, there's one task I'm struggling with, and it seems a bit too complicated for me at the moment. I'm willing to pay someone to create this macro for me.

The macro should do the following:

  • I select a PDF file in Finder and start the macro.
  • Then, I am prompted to enter a base filename. A typical input consists of two letters, a number, and the suffix "-PRINT.pdf". For example, "TR614-PRINT.pdf".
  • The macro should save the first two pages under the name "TR614-PRINT.pdf".
  • Then, it saves the next two pages as "TR615-PRINT.pdf", and so on. The number in the filename increments by one each time. The macro should always extract pages in pairs: 1+2, 3+4, 5+6, etc., saving two pages per file.
  • The total number of pages in the original file varies but is always an even number, ranging from 4 to 200.

If anyone has an idea of how to accomplish this, I would appreciate your help. Feel free to send me a DM with a proposal and cost estimate if you're interested in taking on this project.
Thanks! Jens

2

Possibly important question -- what PDF-reading/editing software do you have (or are willing to pay for)?

3

Do you want the files saved back into the same folder as the document you opened?

-rob.

4

Yes, thats fine.

5

I use Apple Preview right now for this job. It's just a lot of manual work. But I also have Adobe Acrobat (subscription is paid anyway for other Adobe apps).

6

This is only lightly tested :), but seems to work. Select a file in Finder and hit Shift-Command-Control-P.

PDF Split Printing.kmmacros (15 KB)

Keyboard Maestro Export
Keyboard Maestro Export1540×2964 401 KB

-rob.

7

Then run -- don't walk! -- to Acrobat's "Organize Pages" tool. That's got a "Split" function that probably does exactly what you want, except the new names won't match your desired pattern. That's easy enough to fix afterwards with a renaming macro, batch rename in Finder, or a utility like NameMangler.

The "Split" function:

image
image2126×1532 295 KB

8

Thanks! I will check that out! :blush:

9

Hi Rob! I am impressed. You are so fast. Insane!
But the script does not work at my site. When I press the hotkeys, the pdf opens in preview and asks for a filename. When I enter the filename, it opens a print dialog.
I will prepare a file, which you can use for testing or do you need a screencast from me?
Best regards
Jens

10

It should then click the PDF button at the bottom of the dialog; what version of macOS are you on?

-rob.

11

Hi Rob! macOS Sequoia. It does not press anything. Sorry.
But I just found out, that Adobe Acrobat does the job pretty good. I just have to rename all the files!
So, if you are fine that I switch to Acrobat for this time, the problem is solved for me.
If you would like to get the script running I can keep trying.
Best regards, Jens

12

No need to keep trying—I just fired something up using Preview. It's probably fixable in Sequoia, but not worth the effort if you have a solution that works. And because Acrobat includes the split function, no need to mess with GUI bits as in my macro :).

-rob.

1 Like
13

Hi Nige_S! The split tool worked perfectly! Thanks so much for your help. I didn’t realize Acrobat could do so much. :joy: It's a great companion for handling PDFs!

14

Adobe invented the PDF format, so Acrobat is the best tool for working with PDF files. I wish one could still buy a perpetual licence for it. I don't need to edit PDFs often enough to warrant the outrageous subscription cost, but I tend to need more than third-party applications can manage.