# Mac software to convert Microsoft XPS files to PDF **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477 "2017-07-17T10:52:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/1 "2017-07-17T10:52:27Z")
Hi all, We’re changing our HR provider at work, and as a result we will soon no longer be able to access our old payslips. That being the case, I need to download them. What I’d like to end up with is a collection of PDF files, one per payslip. I’ve only worked here for a year or so, so we’re not talking about a high number of files. Sadly, our HR system does not offer the capability to download payslips as a file (PDF or similar) - only to view the payslip in a pop-up webpage and print a hard copy from there. I could take screen shots of the pop-ups, but that sounds a bit faffy. One other option is to “print to file”. Our IT setup allows us to print to Microsoft XPS files, but not directly to PDF - so I’d have to create XPS files and then find some software to convert those to PDF later. Access to the HR website is from my work computer only, but any file conversion would have to happen later at home, because I can’t install any third-party software on the work machine. My home computer is a Mac. So… can anyone recommend Mac-friendly software which converts XPS files to PDF? Free is best, cheap is OK. Google points me to a number of cloud options, but I’m not sure how happy I’d be firing highly confidential personal financial data into a website I’ve never heard of. Thanks for all thoughts. Rich Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/2 "2017-07-17T13:03:19Z")
I don’t use Mac myself, but I checked with a friend who does. He’s happy with a freeware converter from Enolsoft. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/3 "2017-07-17T13:08:28Z")
Ho hum… I’d never even heard of XPS, but apparently it was Microsoft’s attempt to dislodge PDF, and really just seems goofy: even How-To Geek is sorta **[bemused](https://www.howtogeek.com/148499/what-is-an-xps-file-and-why-does-windows-want-me-to-print-to-one/)**. I know nothing of Macs, but if you can’t get anywhere, you could temporarily install a free Oracle **[Virtualbox](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads)** ( it’s under 100 NB ) , and — once you found an old Windows installation medium [ which you have a valid licence etc. etc. ), even XP or Vista — install Windows as a guest Operating System. From there in the guest install any of the free XPS to PDF converters. Set the guest to use a Full shared folder so you can put the XPS files where both systems can see them and copy from there after. Make the Shared Clipboard and Drag 'n Drop in Advanced options bi-directional. But if you’re not keeping the virtual box you needn’t do much other tuning. Then in the guest install one of those free converters, but watch out in installation for them trying to slip in toolbars etc., it won’t matter in a disposable guest, but there’s a principle. **[DocuFreezer](http://www.docufreezer.com/)** is free but wants Windows Office installed ( in the guest ). **[PDFCreator](http://www.pdfforge.org/pdfcreator)** is Open Source and has illustrious clients. However there are also conversion **[options](https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-files/how-do-i-convert-xps-to-pdf/31ad3c19-3a06-476a-8344-89cb6f970a87)** in various parts of the Windows system itself. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/4 "2017-07-17T13:59:41Z")
I found this app, which had a positive review: > **[‎XPS Viewer - Read XPS and OXPS Documents](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/xps-viewer/id584293890?mt=12)** > > ‎\*\*\*\*\* Launch Special Offer For a Limited Time!!! Normal Price: $19.99 \*\*\*\*\* > > Enolsoft XPS Viewer for Mac is a fast XPS(XML Paper Specification, \*.xps) and OpenXPS(Open XML Paper Specification, \*.oxps) viewer for Mac users to easily open and read XPS... ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/5 "2017-07-17T14:46:27Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I found this app, which had a positive review: > [‎XPS Viewer - Read XPS and OXPS Documents on the Mac App Store](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xps-viewer/id584293890?mt=12) Thanks - that’s the same Enolsoft app recommended by **ZonexandScout** above. I think that’s what I’ll go with. Thanks all. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/6 "2017-07-17T17:17:30Z")
Huh? Is there something I’m missing here? They let you view it in a browser, right? I just checked Opera, so that this isn’t a feature in just in Chrome, and if you chose “Print…” or just hit ⌘+P you’ll get the option to save as PDF. Another option is to do a screenshot with ⌘+⌃+4. This will get you a png-file, though. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/7 "2017-07-17T17:23:32Z")
> [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > Huh? > > Is there something I’m missing here? They let you view it in a browser, right? I just checked Opera, so that this isn’t a feature in just in Chrome, and if you chose “Print…” or just hit ⌘+P you’ll get the option to save as PDF. > > Another option is to do a screenshot with ⌘+⌃+4. This will get you a png-file, though. That’s because you already have a PDF printer installed. The OP can’t install one, since it’s not their PC. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/8 "2017-07-17T17:24:54Z")
Agree with the above, provided there is some way to get a print dialogue for the file then you can save as a PDF. It is a native Mac capability, no extra software required. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/9 "2017-07-17T17:27:58Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > That’s because you already have a PDF printer installed. The OP can’t install one, since it’s not their PC. It’s native to the Mac. If it is a Mac then it has this capability. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/10 "2017-07-17T17:34:00Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > It’s native to the Mac. If it is a Mac then it has this capability. Which does him no good because he can only access the HR files from his work computer, which is presumably not a Mac. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/11 "2017-07-17T17:49:14Z")
No “presumably” about it, if it’s outputting XPS files, it’s definitely Windows, not Mac. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/12 "2017-07-17T19:03:11Z")
Do you have a PostScript printer at work, or can you install a new printer driver? Any PostScript printer driver. Then when you go to print, select Print to File, using the PostScript printer. You’ll want to manually add a .ps extension, and Preview on your Mac will let you open these directly. You can then use Preview to convert them the PDF, but there won’t really be a reason to. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/13 "2017-07-17T19:19:15Z")
On the other hand, if he can take that XPS file home, and then find anything at all on a Mac that can open it (which may even include good ol’ Preview), then he can probably print to PDF from that. I say “probably”, because it’s possible to circumvent that. I have some PDF files that refuse to allow themselves to be opened in anything but Adobe Reader, and Adobe Reader doesn’t allow print to PDF. Microsoft might have pulled a similar dirty trick. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/14 "2017-07-17T20:14:55Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Which does him no good because he can only access the HR files from his work computer, which is presumably not a Mac. He has a Mac, therefore he can print to PDF. His HR payslips are viewable in a webpage, therefore he can view in his Mac and print to PDF. Unless the webpage is only viewable from a work PC? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/15 "2017-07-17T20:29:18Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > He has a Mac, therefore he can print to PDF. His HR payslips are viewable in a webpage, therefore he can view in his Mac and print to PDF. Unless the webpage is only viewable from a work PC? You tell me. > [@TwoCarrotSnowman](#): > > **Access to the HR website is from my work computer only** , but any file conversion would have to happen later at home, because I can’t install any third-party software on the work machine. Bolding mine ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/16 "2017-07-17T20:49:35Z")
Can you just print out hard copies and then scan them into a PDF later? That would also have the advantage of ending up with only one file with all the documents to keep track of. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/17 "2017-07-18T01:16:09Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > You tell me. > > Bolding mine Ok, I missed that. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/18 "2017-07-18T12:16:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I say “probably”, because it’s possible to circumvent that. I have some PDF files that refuse to allow themselves to be opened in anything but Adobe Reader, and Adobe Reader doesn’t allow print to PDF. Microsoft might have pulled a similar dirty trick. You can always circumvent the circumvention, though. The Windows trick of setting up a Postscript print driver works on the Mac, too. You might have to edit the text of the resulting Postscript file in order to convert it to something else, but some jurisdictions are touchy about this, so I won’t mention how. ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-software-to-convert-microsoft-xps-files-to-pdf/791477/19 "2017-07-18T20:45:22Z")
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the thoughts - this is now sorted. I downloaded the free trial version of the software recommended upthread, and it did the trick.