Open pdf files format with python

Question

I try to open 100 pdf files with python 2.7 with this code:

import arcpy,fnmatch,os

rootPath = r"D:\desktop"
pattern = '*.pdf'
counter = 0
for root, dirs, files in os.walk(rootPath):
    for filename in fnmatch.filter(files, pattern):
        os.startfile(rootPath)
        counter = counter + 1
print counter

as a result the rootPath folder opened and python print the number of pdf files:

>>> 
39
>>>

No pdf files opened. I search in the forum and didn't find any question with answers to my request. Thanks for any help

are your sure rootPath returns you the name of the PDF file? I see you defind rootPath as D:\desktop and its not even the name of the PDF you're trying to open — PYPL
– PYPL, Commented May 12, 2015 at 7:46
Try an onteractive python shell. Copy the full path of an existing pdf file, with proper backlash escaping (i.e. D:\desktop becomes D:\\desktop) , and try: import os; os.startfile(pdf_file_path). Does Adobe reader / other PDF viewer come up? If not, the MIME type registry is suspect. — Freek Wiekmeijer
– Freek Wiekmeijer, Commented May 12, 2015 at 8:00

PYPL · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-12 08:14:31Z

3

I don't know what are you trying to do, but os.startfile will open up adobe pdf reader (or any other reader that's set as default reader)... here how i managed to do that and it seems to be working.

import os

rootPath = "D:\\desktop"
counter = 0
for file in os.listdir(rootPath):
    if file.endswith('.pdf'):
        os.startfile("%s/%s" %(rootPath, file))
        counter = counter + 1
print counter

or without much editing your main code

import arcpy,fnmatch,os

rootPath = r"D:\desktop"
pattern = '*.pdf'
counter = 0
for root, dirs, files in os.walk(rootPath):
    for filename in fnmatch.filter(files, pattern):
        os.startfile("%s/%s" %(rootPath,filename))
        counter = counter + 1
print counter

edited May 12, 2015 at 8:14

answered May 12, 2015 at 7:55

PYPL

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2 Comments

newGIS Over a year ago

with second option i get error : WindowsError: [Error 2] : 'D:\\desktop/Hebrewbooks_org_19055.pdf'

PYPL Over a year ago

@newGIS hmm still works for me without errors, probably your PDF is corrupted? you can stick with the first solution thought

user1907906 · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-12 07:59:57Z

0

Your are always calling

os.startfile(rootPath)

where rootPath is only "D:\desktop". You must call os.startfile with the path to the PDF file as the argument.

os.startfile("{}/{}".format(rootPath, file))

answered May 12, 2015 at 7:59

user1907906

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