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An easy-to-follow guide to convert Word files to PDF or use a web browser to make PDFs
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Creating a PDF file is a great way to share your ideas and to make sure that they can't be altered without leaving an electronic footprint. There are multiple ways to create a PDF file and all of them are fairly quick and easy. This wikiHow article teaches you 4 different ways to create PDFs.

Making a PDF File

  1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
  2. Go to "File" > "Save As" and select "PDF" as the file type or format.
  3. Click "Export" or "Save."
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Creating a PDF from a Word Doc on a PC

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  1. The app looks like a blue rectangle with a "W" on it.
    • If you don't have a document already, you can create a file in Word to turn into a PDF.
  2. It's in the ribbon above the editing space in the document.
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  3. You'll see this in the menu on the left side of the screen.
    • Instead of saving the PDF over the .docx, you can select Save As instead.
  4. It's near the bottom of the menu.
  5. Now you have a PDF version of the Word document, but if you want to make changes to it, open the ".docx" or ".doc" version and make your changes before saving it as a PDF again. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Creating a PDF from a Word Doc on a Mac

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  1. You'll find this app in the Applications folder of Finder.
  2. You'll see this option in the Apple Menu at the top of your screen.
  3. You can also press Shift + Cmd + S .
  4. It's the option at the bottom of the Save As menu. Click on the arrow to see more formatting options.
    • Give your file a name if there isn't already one.
  5. This blue button is in the lower right corner of the window and will save the file as a PDF. [2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Web Browser

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  1. You can use any web browser on PC or Mac to do this.
    • This is the easiest and best way to save a webpage as a PDF. You'll need to repeat this process for all separate pages on the site that you want to save, like for an About Me and Contact page. Once you have separate PDFs for those, you can merge them in multiple ways.
  2. This will open the Print Menu.
  3. If you're using Windows, you'll see this option under the "Printer" menu. You'll see the "Save as PDF" option under the "Local Destinations" heading on Macs.
  4. The page will save as a PDF and may open your file manager so you can choose where to save it. [3]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using an Online Converter on a PC or Mac

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  1. Browse the Internet to find a PDF converter that is free and effective. One reliable converter is https://tools.pdf24.org/en/create-pdf
  2. Any converter will give you the option of browsing through your files to choose the ones you'd like to add to the PDF.
  3. Most online converters will limit you to three files at once.
    • Some offer a paid "Plus" service that will allow you to add up to 50 files!
  4. Wait for the file to convert to a PDF. This can take a few minutes, especially if you have multiple files. When the process is finished, you will be told that your files are ready to be downloaded.
  5. Click on the files and wait for them to download.
  6. You have finished creating the PDF files.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I merge two PDF files into one?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You can use Acrobat or CutePDF to do that by using the Merge function. If you don't want to use any software, you can also do it the old-fashioned way by printing both documents and scanning the pages in the desired order to create a new PDF.
  • Question
    Can I create a PDF file from pictures?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes. One easy way to do this is to save an image as a PDF file in a graphics editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop. Your scanner software might also allow you to save scanned images as a PDF. If you have Microsoft Word, paste one or more images into a .doc file and export it as a PDF.
  • Question
    What programs can I use to create PDF files?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You can export PDF files from Word documents or create them in Adobe Acrobat Pro. There are also a variety of free programs you can use, such as AbleWord or PDFMate.
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      Tips

      • Always save the file even if you've saved the PDF file. It's usually easier to edit.
      • The links in the text will not work in PDF format, so be sure to write the entire URL (https://something.com) instead of linking text (creating hyperlinks).
      • You can use OpenOffice instead if you don't have Word.
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