How to Convert a Word Document to PDF (3 Easy Ways)
A PDF looks the same on every phone, laptop and printer, which is why résumés, contracts and forms are usually sent as PDFs. Here is how to turn a Word document into one.
Method 1: Convert online (no software needed)
- Open the Word to PDF tool and upload your .docx or .doc file.
- Wait a few seconds while it is converted.
- Download the PDF. Your file is deleted from the server right after conversion.
Method 2: Save as PDF from Microsoft Word
Most recent versions of Microsoft Word can create a PDF themselves. Open the document, choose File → Save As (or Export), and pick PDF as the file type. This is a good option if Word is installed and the document uses fonts that only exist on your computer.
Keeping your formatting intact
Text, tables, images and page layout are normally preserved. The one thing to watch is fonts: if your document uses an uncommon font that isn't available to the converter, a similar font may be substituted. If exact typography matters, use Word's own Save as PDF, which embeds the fonts installed on your computer.
Before sending the PDF, open it once and scroll through to check page breaks and images.
Then what?
Once you have the PDF you can compress it if it is too large to email, add a password if it contains sensitive details, or merge it with other PDFs into a single file.