Transforming Files
Files.com can convert files from one file type to another. Use the Transform action from the File Manager or from Preview to convert files as needed. You choose where to save the converted file. File transformations can also be triggered programmatically through the API, an SDK, or the AI Assistant.
Transform a file when you have it in one format and need it in another, such as converting a spreadsheet a partner sent as .xls into .csv for a downstream system, turning a PDF into an editable .docx, or converting and resizing an image.
How Transformations Work
You select one input file, choose the output format, and Files.com automatically applies the matching file extension to the new file. You also choose where to write the new file.
Transforming a file creates a new file and leaves the original unchanged. If a file already exists at the chosen destination, the Overwrite existing file option determines whether the new file replaces it. With the option turned off, the new file won't overwrite a file that already exists.
Document Conversion
You can convert documents, spreadsheets, and presentations between formats. The file's extension determines which output formats are available.
| File Type | Input Formats | Output Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Document | pdf, doc, dot, docx, docm, dotx, dotm, wps, rtf, djvu, docxf, epub, fb2, fodt, odt, ott, oxps, stw, sxw, wpt, md | docx, pdf, rtf, txt |
| Spreadsheet | xls, xlt, xlsx, xlsm, xltx, xltm, xlsb, et, ett, fods, ods, ots, sxc, csv, tsv | csv, pdf, xlsx |
| Presentation | ppt, pps, pot, pptx, pptm, potx, potm, dps, dpt, fodp, odp, otp, ppsm, ppsx, sxi | pdf, pptx |
Image Conversion
You can convert an image from any of the input formats below to any of the output formats, and resize it at the same time.
| File Type | Input Formats | Output Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Image | 4fr, arw, cgm, cr2, crw, dcr, gif, heic, heif, ico, icon, jpeg, jpg, k25, kdc, mrw, nef, png, psd, rw2, sf2, sr2, srf, svg, tga, tif, tiff, wbpm, webp, xcf | jpg, jpeg, png, webp, gif, tif, tiff |
Resizing While Converting
You can optionally resize the image as part of the conversion by supplying a width, a height, or both, in pixels.
When you supply only one dimension, Files.com preserves the aspect ratio. When you supply both, the image fits within that box while preserving the aspect ratio.
Permissions Required
Transforming a file requires read permission on the input file and write permission on the destination folder.
Background Execution
Transformations run as asynchronous (backgrounded) operations. The new file does not appear at the destination until the transformation completes, and it is added atomically.
In the web interface, Files.com shows in-progress work under Actions In Progress.