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This tutorial shows you how to automatically convert XLS and XLSX files to images using the Nutrient Document Web Services API on Zapier. This is useful for generating visual snapshots of spreadsheets, charts, and dashboards.
What is Zapier?
Zapier(opens in a new tab) is an automation platform that connects your favorite apps and services with no code required. You can build “Zaps” to automate repetitive tasks by setting up triggers and actions between apps like Google Drive, Slack, Gmail, and more.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use Zapier to automatically convert Excel files (XLS, XLSX) into JPG, PNG, or TIFF images using Nutrient DWS Processor API.
What is Nutrient DWS Processor API?
Nutrient Document Web Services API is a powerful platform for document automation. With your free account(opens in a new tab), you get 50 credits, which you can use to perform various document operations. Each tool (e.g. conversion, signing, flattening) consumes a different amount of credits depending on complexity.
You can use Nutrient to:
- Convert Office files to images
- Convert PDFs to/from PDF/A or Office
- Apply OCR, annotations, signatures, and watermarks
- Extract, archive, or generate documents automatically
What you’ll need
- A Zapier(opens in a new tab) account (a pro plan is necessary for multistep Zaps)
- A Google Drive account
- An XLS or XLSX file stored in Google Drive
- A Nutrient Document Web Services API key — sign up here(opens in a new tab)
Step 1 — Trigger a new file in a Google Drive folder
- Select Google Drive as the trigger app.
- Choose the New File in Folder trigger event.
- Connect your Google Drive account.
- Configure the trigger:
- Drive — Select your personal Google Drive.
- Folder — Choose a folder to monitor (e.g.
xls-to-image).
- Ensure that the option for Include Deleted Files? is set to Only return non-deleted files.
- Test the step by uploading an
.xlsxfile and confirming it’s pulled into Zapier. You can use our sample file(opens in a new tab) for testing this step.
Step 2 — Convert Excel to image action (Nutrient DWS Processor API)
- Select Nutrient Document Web Services API as the action app.
- Choose Convert XLS/XLSX to Image as the action event.
- Connect your Nutrient DWS Processor API account.
You can find your API key in the Nutrient dashboard(opens in a new tab).
- Configure the action fields:
- Spreadsheet File — Map this to the file from the trigger step.
- Output format — Required. Choose
jpg,png, ortiff. - Output File Name — Optional (e.g.
spreadsheet-preview.png).
Files must be publicly accessible or Zapier must be able to download from Google Drive directly.
- Test the step to verify the Excel file is converted to your selected image format.
Step 3 — Upload the image to Google Drive
- Select Google Drive again and choose the Upload File action.
- Choose your drive and output folder. Use the image file from the Nutrient step.
- Test this step to ensure the converted image is uploaded successfully.
Conclusion
You’ve now automated the process of converting Excel files into image formats using Zapier and Nutrient DWS Processor API(opens in a new tab). This is especially helpful for generating visual snapshots of spreadsheet reports or dashboards. Combine this workflow with OCR, PDF merging, or email automation(opens in a new tab) for even more power!