Edit Article

Eight Methods:Word 2010 and 2013Word 2007Word for MacOther Versions of WordPDF Conversion WebsiteUsing Google DriveUsing Open OfficeUsing Two-way Online Converter

Sharing a file in PDF format allows people to view the document regardless of what word processor they are using. More importantly, it prevents formatting errors from cropping up due to word-processor incompatibilities, making PDFs a must for official documents like resumes and important letters. To convert a Microsoft Word document to PDF format, use one of the following methods.

Ad

Method 1 of 8: Word 2010 and 2013

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Open the file in Office Word 2010.
    Ad
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Click the "File" tab and go to Save As.
  3. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    3
    In the "File Types" field, choose Create PDF or XPS Document.
    • The add-in - Save as PDF/XPS is built in Word 2010, and you can directly save Word 2010 or other parts of 2010 Office suite to PDF format.
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    4
    Click "Create a PDF/XPS".
  5. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    5
    In the pop-up dialog box, enter a file name and location.
  6. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    6
    Click Publish.
    • It is a bit different to convert Word 2010 document to PDF format from saving Word 2007 as PDF.

Method 2 of 8: Word 2007

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Open the file you wish to save.
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Click the "File" button in the top left-hand corner of Word.
  3. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    3
    Go to Save As > PDF or XPS.
    • If this option is not available to you, go here to download Microsoft's free PDF and XPS converter. Note that this will only work for Windows; if you have a Mac, use the method below.
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    4
    Type in the desired file name and adjust settings as necessary. Choose Minimum Size if you wish to reduce the size and quality.
  5. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    5
    Hit Save. This will convert your document and open it in Adobe Reader (if you have it installed).

Method 3 of 8: Word for Mac

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 12 preview Version 2.jpg
    1
    Open the file you wish to save.
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 13 preview Version 2.jpg
    2
    Go to File > Print.
  3. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 14 preview Version 2.jpg
    3
    Click the PDF button in the lower left-hand corner, then select "Save as PDF" from the dropdown menu. Newer versions of Microsoft Word have this option; if it does not appear on your version, try one of the methods below.
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 15 preview Version 2.jpg
    4
    Choose a file name and title for your PDF. Adjust the other settings as necessary.
  5. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 16 preview Version 2.jpg
    5
    Hit Save to create the PDF. This will convert your document.

Method 4 of 8: Other Versions of Word

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 17 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Open the file you wish to save.
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 18 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Go to File > Print.
  3. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 19 Version 2.jpg
    3
    Click the dropdown list of installed printers and select PDF. Newer versions of Microsoft Word have this option; if it does not appear on your version, try one of the methods below.
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 20 Version 2.jpg
    4
    Click OK. This will convert your document and open it in Adobe Reader (if you have it installed).

Method 5 of 8: PDF Conversion Website

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 21 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Go to a free PDF conversion website. Examples can be found easily online by searching for "convert to PDF."
    • Do not use a site that asks you to pay, install unnecessary software, or anything else you’re uncomfortable with. There are many free, easy-to-use PDF conversion sites online and you shouldn’t have to settle.
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 22 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Click Browse to locate the desired Word file(s).
  3. 3
    Provide your email address if necessary. Some sites will email the file directly to your inbox.
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 24 Version 2.jpg
    4
    Click Convert and wait for it to process.
  5. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 25 Version 2.jpg
    5
    Check your file. Check the website for your converted file; otherwise, look for the file in your inbox.
  6. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 26 Version 2.jpg
    6
    Click on your PDF file(s) to open and/or download them. Save if necessary.

Method 6 of 8: Using Google Drive

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 27 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Open the Google Drive site. You will need to sign in with a Google account, which are free to create. See this guide for details on creating a Google account. You will be uploading your Word document to Google Drive, and then downloading it again as a PDF file.
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 28 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Click the Upload button. This red button as an upward-pointing arrow, and is located next to the Create button on the left side of the page.
  3. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 29 Version 2.jpg
    3
    Browse for your document. Select the file you would like to convert and click "Open".
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 30 Version 2.jpg
    4
    Make sure that the file is converted to Google Docs format. When you select the file to upload, you will be given a couple of upload options. Make sure that the first box is checked so that the Word document is converted to the Google Docs format.
  5. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 31 Version 2.jpg
    5
    Open the document in Google Drive. After the document has finished uploading and converting, it will appear in the My Drive view. Open it to ensure that there aren't any formatting issues caused by the conversion process. Make any changes you'd like before continuing.
  6. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 32 Version 2.jpg
    6
    Download the document as a PDF. Click File → Download as → PDF Document (.pdf). Depending on your browser settings, the download may begin immediately or you may be prompted to choose a download location.
  7. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 33 Version 2.jpg
    7
    Open the converted PDF. Check to ensure that there were no errors introduced during the conversion process. If errors exist, you will need to make changes to the original document before converting again.

Method 7 of 8: Using Open Office

  1. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 34 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Download OpenOffice. This is a free, open-source word processor that is fully compatible with Word.
  2. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 35 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Double click on the downloaded file to install OpenOffice on your computer.
  3. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 36 Version 2.jpg
    3
    Open the Word document you want to convert in Open Office.
  4. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 37 Version 2.jpg
    4
    From the main menu, select File > Export as PDF. There is also an export to PDF button right on the main taskbar.
  5. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 38 Version 2.jpg
    5
    Choose a file name for your PDF. Make sure that everything else is how you want it.
  6. Convert a Microsoft Word Document to PDF Format Step 39 Version 2.jpg
    6
    Click Okay or Save to convert. This will convert your document and open it in Adobe Reader (if you have it installed).

Method 8 of 8: Using Two-way Online Converter

  1. 1
    Go to PDF⇄DOC.
  2. Convert doc files to pdf step1.jpeg
    2
    Click UPLOAD FILES and select up to 20 Microsoft Word files you wish to convert to PDF format. You can also drag files to the drop area to start uploading.
  3. Convert doc files to pdf step2.jpeg
    3
    Wait for the conversion process to finish.
  4. Convert doc files to pdf step3.jpeg
    4
    Click DOWNLOAD ALL to get all files at once in a ZIP archive or download the results file by file.
    Ad

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
weightlifting?
Yes
No
weightlifting
different ways to get stronger
Can you tell us about
muscle spasms?
Yes
No
muscle spasms
how to treat muscle spasms
Can you tell us about
pushups?
Yes
No
pushups
how to do more pushups
Can you tell us about
Rome Total War?
Yes
No
Rome Total War
how to unlock factions in Rome Total War
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

Tips

  • Note that OpenOffice can read .docx but not write it.
  • Always back your original files before converting them.
  • Using the On-line converter is quick and easy, but be aware that the sites often have glitches and/or are down for maintenance.
  • If you want to make additional adjustments to the converted PDF, go back to Word, update the document, and re-save as a PDF.

Warnings

  • These methods will work for basic documents. Files with high levels of formatting may see a loss of some formatting.
  • If converting sensitive documents, avoid the online converters.

Related wikiHows

How to
Be Able to Edit Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, and Excel Documents in Google Drive

How to
Convert Word Document to Html

How to
Convert a Word Doc to Epub

How to
Back Up and Transfer Your OpenOffice or LibreOffice Settings

How to
Convert a PDF to a Word Document

How to
Best Practices How to Extract and Load Data from Oracle

How to
FTP Picasa Photos in One Click

How to
Convert an RTF File into MS Word Document

How to
Capture a Macromedia Flash Object from a Web Site

How to
Copy a File and Ignore Cyclic Redundancy Check Errors

How to
Separate a PDF File with ConvertPDF

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Using PDF Files

In other languages:

Français: Comment convertir un document Microsoft Word au format PDF, Italiano: Come Convertire un File Word in PDF, Español: Cómo convertir de Word a PDF, Deutsch: Ein Micrososft Word Dokument in PDFFormat umwandeln, Deutsch: Word Dokumente nach PDF konvertieren, Nederlands: Een Microsoft Word document omzetten naar PDF formaat, Português: Como Converter um Documento do Word para PDF, Русский: конвертировать документ Microsoft Word в PDF формат, 中文: word文件转换为pdf文件, Bahasa Indonesia: Konversi Dokumen Microsoft Word ke Format PDF

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,566,719 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

Become
an Author!

Write an Article