Using the bulk file converter

Windows operating systems only

SMART Notebook software includes a bulk file converter you can use to simultaneously convert multiple files of various formats, into different output file formats (see below).

The file converter can convert the following file formats:

  • PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx)

  • PDF (.pdf)

  • Promethean files (.flip, .flipchart)

  • XML Paper Specification (.xps)

  • All Common File Format (.iwb)

Note 

The file converter utility app is designed to be run from the Windows command prompt. The file converter’s executable file is installed in the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\converter.exe.

To run the file converter from the Windows command prompt

  1. Open the Windows command prompt by:

    Clicking the Windows key + R, typing cmd, and clicking Enter.

    OR

    Right-clicking the Windows key, and clicking Terminal.

  2. Run the following command line parameters to bulk convert files into Notebook files:

    Copy
    converter.exe <Action> [Options] <Source files or Folders>

    1. Where the parameters are:

      Action

      convert

      Convert input files to the support format.

      Options

      --help

      Displays a help message.

      --format <value>

      Specifies the output file format of the converted input files. Supported file formats are:

      • notebook

      • pdf

      • pptx

      • html

      • gif

      • xps

      • tiff

      Note 

      If the output file format isn’t specified the default option is .notebook.

      --outdir <value>

      Specifies the location of the build output directory of the files generated by running the file converter. The generated directory must be new and not yet exist.

      Note 

      If no location for the output directory is specified, a default directory named out will be created in the directory where the file converter’s executable file is located.

      --map

      Create a .txt file containing the input and output file paths of each converted file.

      Examples

      The following example converts PowerPoint and Notebook files (input1.pptx and input2.notebook) into PDF files and saves them to a default directory named out:

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      "C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\converter.exe" convert --format pdf input1.pptx input2.notebook

      The following example converts all supported files in the directories named input_directory_1 and input_directory_2 into HTML files in a directory named output:

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      "C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\converter.exe" convert --format html --outdir .\output input_directory_1 input_directory_2

      The following example converts .flipchart files in a directory named input into Notebook files and saves them to a directory named output. A map (map.txt) file is also created in the output directory containing the input and output file paths of each converted file.:

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      "C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\converter.exe" convert --format notebook --map input.flipchart