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How to convert a Microsoft Word document to PDF
Microsoft Word documents and PDF files are two of the most common formats available for distributing documents. Even so, there are times when one or the other format is not appropriate or permitted. So it’s a good thing you can easily convert a Word document to a PDF right in Word, or using any of a number of online file converters.
PDF files are smaller than Word files, so they’re preferable for email attachments and anything meant for wide distribution since PDF readers are free. We’ll go over the simple procedure for converting a Microsoft Word document to PDF below.
Read more: How to save a webpage as a PDF file
QUICK ANSWER
To convert a Microsoft Word document to PDF, press Ctrl + P. In the Print menu that comes up, click on the printer selection button in the upper left and select Microsoft Print to PDF. Then click on Print. Word will ask you to select a folder for the PDF file. Choose a folder and click on Save. The Word document will be saved as a PDF file in the folder you selected.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to convert a Microsoft Word document to PDF in Word
Using the Print menu
Open or create a Word document to convert. Press Ctrl + P to bring up the Print menu. Click on the selection box marked Printer.
From the menu that drops down, select Microsoft Print to PDF.
Click on the Print button.
A window will come up where you can choose a location and a name for your PDF file. Note that the Save as type window is set to PDF. Locate and name your PDF file, and click on Save to complete the procedure and save the Word document as a PDF in the location you specified.
Using the File menu
There are two ways to save a Word document as a PDF using the File menu in Word. Begin with the Word document open, and click on the File menu at the top left.
The first way involves clicking on Save a Copy. You change the file name if you want to. Then, in the drop-down menu below the file name, you will see many choices of format. Click on PDF.
Choose a file folder location for the PDF you are about to create. Select Add a Place to store the PDF in the cloud. Use Browse to store it to an external drive. Using This PC will store it locally.
If you are using Add a Place or This PC, the Save button will be on the right.
Using the Browse option, a dialogue box will pop up where you can place the file in your system and save it as well.
The other way to save a Microsoft Word document as a PDF in Word using the File menu is by the Export command. Select Create PDF/XPS Document and then click on the Create PDF/XPS button on the right.
A familiar dialogue box will come up where you can assign a name to your new PDF and confirm the file format. Then click on Publish to save the Word document as a PDF in the location you specified.
How to convert a Microsoft Word document to PDF online
There are quite a few sites on the web that will convert a Word document to a PDF file for you. Adobe is the company that developed the PDF format, though, so it might be a good idea to stick to their free online converter. You’ll need to sign up for a free Adobe account, but this is a small price to pay to make sure you are using a malware-free website. When you get to the site, click on the drop-down button to select your Word document.
Find the Word document and select it. Then click on Open. Adobe will convert your Word document to a PDF file that you can download.
FAQs
Text, photos, graphics — anything that can go in a Word document will convert to PDF.
You can edit PDFs in Word, but Word will convert the PDF into a Word document to make it editable. After editing, you can save it as a PDF again.
Yes, you can, using the Save As menu. Click Save As, then select Word or .docx as your file type.