Timeout error converting DOCX to PDF

Question

I am attempting to convert a DOCX file to PDF using the Microsoft Graph API with the following request:

https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/sites/XXX/drive/items/XXX/content?format=pdf

However, I receive a timeout error after 47 seconds with the following response:

{
	"error": {
		"code": "generalException",
		"message": "The operation has timed out.",
		"innererror": {
			"code": "General_Timeout"
		}
	}
}

Response headers:

cache-control: private
content-length: 146
content-type: application/json; charset=utf-8
x-aspnetmvc-version: 5.2
access-control-expose-headers: x-cache, x-msedge-ref, x-azure-ref-originshield
server-timing: Provider;dur=0,StreamRead;dur=0,TotalRequest;dur=45023,Sandbox;dur=0
request-stat: Cached;False,RemoteReads;1
x-correlationid: 21e5a04a-fb2f-421d-a5a4-407b2335b6b2.9413656f-82f5-4946-865f-bb8197bb090f
x-onedrivemeta-version: 0.0.0.0
x-onedrivemeta-build: Media_prod_31502097_033124.1_03-14-2024
x-onedrivemeta-region: northeurope
x-errorcode: General_Timeout
x-errortype: Unexpected
x-errorsource: Service
x-aspnet-version: 4.0.30319
x-cache: CONFIG_NOCACHE
x-msedge-ref: Ref A: D81EF79A78BB4982B8577F51F461CDB3 Ref B: MAD30EDGE0706 Ref C: 2024-04-05T09:09:29Z
date: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 09:10:13 GMT

I have checked the client timeout, which is set to 0, and I am only trying to convert one file. Interestingly, the conversion works when performed using Microsoft Word online. Can anyone help me solve this issue?

Answer 1

Hello Sebastian M

When dealing with large amounts of data that cause timeout exceptions, consider using paging. Paging allows you to retrieve data in smaller chunks, which can help avoid timeouts and improve performance. You can find more information about paging in the Microsoft Graph API documentation.

Additionally, you can increase the timeout duration by setting it explicitly in your code.

Lastly, ensure that the document file is not locked or being used by other users, as this could be related to a deadlock scenario.

Above approaches can potentially solve your problem.