How to Convert Word to PDF

PDF is the safest way to send a document: it looks the same on every device, fonts cannot go missing and the reader cannot accidentally change it. Here is how to turn a Word document into a PDF with tools you probably already have.

In Microsoft Word (Windows and Mac)

1. Open the document and choose File → Save As (or Save a Copy).
2. Pick PDF as the file type.
3. Under Options, choose whether to include comments, and save.

Choose Best for printing when the PDF will be printed, and Minimum sizefor email.

In Google Docs

Upload the .docx to Google Drive, open it with Google Docs, then use File → Download → PDF document.

In LibreOffice (free)

Open the file and use File → Export as PDF. LibreOffice handles most Word layouts well and offers options for image quality and PDF/A archiving.

On a phone

The Word app can export PDFs directly. Otherwise open the document, choose Print, and use the share or “Save as PDF” option that both iOS and Android provide.

After converting

• Too big for email? Shrink it with Compress PDF.
• Need to combine it with other documents? Use Merge PDF.
• Pages in the wrong orientation? Fix them with Rotate PDF.

A Word to PDF converter is coming to iLoveConvert soon – see all PDF tools for what is available today.