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Set folder permissions for saving PDFs on a Mac

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In most cases, the Mac folder permissions are set automatically to create PDFs in Cascade. Occasionally, there is a need to set the permissions manually, so here is a guide.

First, follow the standard procedure explained at How can I save a report to a PDF?

Creating PDFs on a Mac requires Cascade to work with the computer’s operating system to save the file. As Apple continue to enhance the security of their platform, it becomes more difficult for programs like Cascade to automatically create PDF files. Special permission is required from the operating system to save a file to a folder. The default folder located in the depths of the computer where the Cascade files are saved. This article shows you how to manually set up the permissions for the folder.

Set the Folder Path for saving the PDFs

  1. Open the Cascade Menu and select the Settings tab.
  2. Click on Insert Path to set the destination path for the PDF files.
  3. Click on Test Path to see if Cascade can write to the folder.
    If the Test Path is not successful, follow the steps below.

Locate the folder to save the PDFs

Identify the folder for the saving the PDF files. The default folder is shown in the Settings section of the Cascade Menu, in the Folder Path area.

  1. Open the Cascade Menu and select the Settings tab.
  2. Highlight and Copy the Folder Path to the clipboard. Click on the path and use Command + C or Right-Click then Copy.
  3. In Finder, click on Go in the menu at the very top of the screen, then select Go to Folder..
  4. At the prompt for the folder, Paste in the path you copied from the Cascade Folder Path. Use Command + V or Right-Click then Paste, followed by Enter.
    You will see the Cascade folder in Finder but due to the permissions you may not be able to open it.

Grant Permission to the Folder

Set the permissions for the folder to allow Excel (Cascade) to create files.

  1. In Finder, Right Click on the Cascade folder and select Get Info.
  2. At the bottom of the new window are the Sharing & Permissions settings. Next to your username, click on the word Custom.
  3. In the small box, select Read & Write.
  4. In the Settings page for Cascade, click on Test Path and it should return the Success message.
Cascade folder get info mac mojave
Cascade mac mojave security permissions

Create PDFs of the Reports

You are now ready to create PDFs.

Cascade PDF icon
  1. For the desired report, click on the PDF button.
  2. You may see a message to Grant File Access, see the section below for instructions.
  3. The PDF report will appear in the Cascade folder.
  4. Use Finder to locate and view the PDF file.

Grant File Access for Excel

Mojave grant file access cascade

You may see a message asking for Excel to have access to the folder.

Grant access Excel Cascade

Click on Select then Grant Access for Microsoft Excel.

You should only need to do this part once.

Use the same folder when creating PDFs

After creating all your PDFs you can move the files to your customer folder leaving the /cascade/ folder empty.

Troubleshooting

Occasionally you may experience an error message if Cascade cannot create the PDF file on your computer. See the list of error messages to help you find a solution.

Microsoft Office version

According to Microsoft, Mac Mojave needs Office version 16.16.2 or above to function properly. This is Office 2019.

More details are on this Microsoft article

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