How to pass variable in bash command?

Question

I am trying to convert multiple .doc files to .docx format using antiword. How to write a command like this:

for file in os.listdir(directory):
    subprocess.run("antiword file > file+'.docx'")

it shows this error:

[Errno 2] No such file or directory: "antiword file > file+'.docx'": "antiword file > file+'.docx'"

There is no other way to read .doc file properly that worked for me other than antiword.

I have also tried running directly on the terminal using bash loop and it doesn't work either - it just changes the file size to 0 bytes — JaySabir, May 11 '20 at 06:40

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered May 11 '20 at 06:47

0

Subprocess doesn't run bash. So run bash and pass arguments with arguments remembering about proper quoting.

subprocess.run(["bash", "-c", "antiword \"$1\" > \"$1\".docx", "_", file])

answered May 11 '20 at 06:47

KamilCuk

I am getting files without any data inside - 0 bytes same as running directly on bash. But when I do it manually, it works: antiword filename > filename.docx – JaySabir May 11 '20 at 07:01
What is the output of `type antiword`? – that other guy May 11 '20 at 07:11
@thatotherguy antiword is hashed (usr\bin\antiword) – JaySabir May 11 '20 at 07:19

1 Answers1