How to Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF

Converting your Word document into a PDF file can make sharing your content a breeze. PDFs are universally compatible, ensuring that anyone you share your document with will be able to open and view it correctly, regardless of their device or operating system.

Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF

This guide will walk you through the process of converting a Word document to a PDF using various methods on Windows PCs, Macs, and even online tools.

Method 1: Using Microsoft Word on Windows

Step 1: Open the Document in Microsoft Word

Open the Microsoft Word document:

Double-click the Word document file to open it in Microsoft Word on your PC.

If you haven’t created your document yet, open Word, select Blank document, and create your content before proceeding.

Step 2: Access the Export Function

Click the File menu: Located in the top-left corner of the Word window, this will open a menu with various options.

Select Export: You’ll find this option in the left-hand panel of the File menu.

Click Create PDF/XPS: This button is on the right side of the Export menu. Clicking it will open the “Publish as PDF or XPS” dialog.

Step 3: Choose Save Location and Convert

Select a save location: On the left side of the dialog window, choose the folder where you want to save your converted PDF.

Since PDFs are a different file type than Word documents, you can save the PDF in the same location without overwriting the original Word file.

Name Your File: Enter a new file name in the “File name” text box if desired.

Click Publish: Located in the bottom-right corner of the window, this button will convert your Word document to a PDF format and save it in the specified location.

Method 2: Using Microsoft Word on Mac

Step 1: Open the Document in Microsoft Word

Open the Microsoft Word document: Double-click the Word document file to open it in Microsoft Word on your Mac.

Step 2: Access the Save As Function

Click the File menu: This is located in the upper-left corner of your Mac’s screen, opening a drop-down menu.

Select Save As…: This option is found in the File menu and will allow you to save the document in a different format.

Step 3: Choose PDF Format and Save Location

Enter a file name: Type a new name for your PDF in the “Save as” box.

Ensure the file name is different from the original Word document to avoid overwriting the existing file.

Select a save location: Choose the folder where you want to store your converted PDF.

Choose PDF from the File Format menu: This tells Word to save the document as a PDF.

Click Export: This will save your Word document as a PDF in the specified location.

Method 3: Using Adobe Acrobat Online

Step 1: Access Adobe Acrobat Online

Go to Adobe Acrobat Online: Open your web browser and navigate to https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/word-to-pdf.html. This free tool makes it easy to convert Word documents to PDF without installing any software.

Step 2: Upload and Convert the Document

2. Drag your Word document to the conversion box:
   • Alternatively, click the blue Select a file button to choose the Word document from your computer.
3. Wait for the Conversion:
   • Adobe Acrobat Online will automatically start converting the Word document to a PDF.

Step 3: Download the PDF

Click Download: This will save the PDF file to your computer. Depending on your web browser, you might need to click Save or OK to start the download.

Method 4: Using Google Drive

Step 1: Upload Document to Google Drive

Open Google Drive: Go to https://drive.google.com in your web browser. If you’re not logged in, click Go to Google Drive and enter your email address and password.

Upload Your Word Document: Click the ＋ New button at the top-left side of the Google Drive window. Select File upload from the drop-down menu, opening a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window. Navigate to and select your Word document, then click Open (or Choose on a Mac).

Step 2: Open Document in Google Docs

Open the Uploaded Word Document: Once the upload is complete, double-click the Word file in Google Drive. At the top of the viewer, click Open with Google Docs to open the document in Google Docs.

Step 3: Download as PDF

Click the File menu: This is at the upper-left side of the Google Docs window.

Select Download: From the expanded options, select PDF document (.pdf).

Save the PDF: The file may download automatically or prompt you to choose a saving location and click Save or OK.

Q&A for Converting a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format

Why doesn’t Microsoft Word give me the option to “Save as PDF” in the file menu?

• Older versions of Word, such as Word 2007, don’t include the “Save as PDF” option by default. You need to download an add-in from Microsoft’s website to enable this feature.

I need to convert a PDF file to a Microsoft Word document. Is there a way to do this?

• Yes, open your PDF document and select Save as → Word Document. You might need to clean up the formatting afterward.

How do I fix formatting errors that show up in the new PDF file?

• Using newer versions of MS Office (post-2007) allows you to save the document as a PDF directly, which can help avoid formatting errors. Navigate to Files → Save As and select .pdf format from the “Save As Type” dropdown, then click Save.

How do I convert from MS Word to a PDF while keeping the links clickable?

• Use the Acrobat PDFMaker for Word or PowerPoint files. Open your document in Word or PowerPoint, then use the Acrobat tab to convert the document, ensuring links remain clickable.

Why does the alignment change when converting DOC to PDF?

• Differences in document layouts and elements between PDF and Word can cause alignment issues. Adjusting Word settings before conversion, such as matching the page layout to the PDF output, can help preserve the original formatting.

Conclusion

By following these detailed steps, you can easily convert your Microsoft Word documents to PDF, ensuring they are accessible, professionally formatted, and ready for sharing across different platforms.