Which is best approach (JODConverter+open Office or Apache POI HWPF+iText) to convert Microsoft word to PDF in java?

Question

In my application I have to send automatic emails to the customer when customer status changes.I need to attach a document to that email which should be in the pdf format. I have to create this attached PDF document from a existing word document.Being Apache Open Office is installer and have to be started as a service every time when I want to convert a document I am dilemma to choose between JODConverter+open Office and Apache POI HWPF + iText.Please suggest me which to use .

Answer 1

Disclosure: I lead the docx4j project

JODConverter + OpenOffice will probably give you the best support for the widest range of features in a binary .doc file. HWPF only supports a restricted subset of .doc content.

If your documents are standard fare paragraphs, tables, images, headers/footers docx files, docx4j ought to meet your needs (it includes PDF output via Apache FOP).