How to Convert Word Files to PDF Format

This article shows you how to convert Microsoft Word documents to PDF format. PDF files are compatible with almost any interface and are difficult to edit, suitable for storing and sending important documents. You can use SmallPDF or Gopge Drive to convert Word documents to PDF online, or use Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer.

Table of Contents

Using Word on Windows

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Open the Microsoft Word document. Double-click the Word document to view the content on Microsoft Word.

If you haven’t created a document, open Word, then click Blank document and create the document as you like before continuing.

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Click File in the upper-left corner of the Word window and a new window will appear on the screen.

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Click Export in the left selection column. You will see many new options appear in the middle of the window.

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Click Create PDF/XPS Document in the upper-left corner of the window.

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Click the Create PDF/XPS option in the middle of the window and another window will appear on the screen.

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Choose where to save the file. You click a folder on the left side of the window to save the converted Word file to PDF format.

Since PDF is a different format than Word, you can save the PDF file in the same folder as the Word file.
You can also enter a new file name in the “File name” box, if you like.

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Click Publish in the lower-right corner of the window. This will create a PDF of the Word document in the selected folder.

Use Word on Mac

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Open the Microsoft Word document. Double-click the Word document to view the content on Microsoft Word.

If you haven’t created a document, open Word, then click Blank document and create the document as you like before continuing.

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Click File in the upper-left corner of your Mac screen to open a selection list.

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Click the Save As… option in the pop-up menu. A new window will appear on the screen.

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Enter the file name. Type the PDF file name of your choice in the “Name” field at the top of the window.

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Select the folder to save the file. You click a folder on the left side of the window to save the PDF file.

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Click the “File Format” box at the bottom of the window to open a selection list.

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Click the PDF selection in the “Export” section of the selection list.

You will have to scroll down the selection list to see this option.

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Click the blue Export button in the lower-right corner of the window. This will save your PDF file in the selected folder.

Using SmallPDF

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Open SmallPDF’s Word to PDF conversion page by visiting https://smallpdf.com/word-to-pdf on your computer’s browser.

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Click Choose file in the middle of the SmallPDF page. This will open a File Explorer (on Windows) or a Finder (on Mac) window.

Using Google Drive

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Open Google Drive. Go to https://drive.google.com/ with a desktop web browser to open your Google Drive page (if signed in).

If you’re not signed in, click Go to Google Drive , then enter your email address and password when prompted.

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Click ＋ New at the top left of the Google Drive window and you’ll see a selection list.

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Click File upload in the menu that appears. This will bring up a File Explorer (on Windows) or a Finder (on Mac) window.

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Select your Word document. Go to the folder where the Word document is saved, you choose by clicking on the document.

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Click Open in the lower-right corner of the window. The Words file will be uploaded to Google Drive.

On a Mac, you’ll click Choose .

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Open the Word file. When the Word file is uploaded to Google Drive, you double-click it in Google Drive to open it in the browser.

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Click File in the upper-left corner of the window to open a selection list.

On a Mac, be sure to click File in the browser window, not the toolbar at the top of the screen.

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Select Download as in the middle of the displayed menu, and you will see a new menu appear.

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Click PDF document in the menu. Thus, the PDF version of the Word document will be downloaded to your computer immediately.

Depending on your browser’s settings, you may have to confirm the download and/or select a save folder before the file is downloaded.

Advice

To open a PDF file with your computer’s default PDF reader, simply double-click the file; if there are multiple PDF readers, you will be asked to choose one after double-clicking the PDF file.
You can also use the “Save as” option to convert Word files to PDF on Windows computers.

Warning

When converting important documents (such as credit card information), you should avoid using SmallPDF. Although their site is secure, it’s best to keep these files offline.

Steps