How to Convert a Word Document to PDF

You have a .docx file and need to send a PDF that looks the same on every device. Word, Google Docs, and the Word app on iPhone all export directly.

Save As PDF in Microsoft Word

Open the document. On Windows, choose File, Save As, pick a folder, open the Save as type dropdown, choose PDF, and click Save. On Mac, choose File, Save As, open the File Format dropdown, choose PDF, and click Export.

Use Export when you need the options

On Windows, File, Export, Create PDF/XPS opens the same dialog with an Options button. There you can pick a page range, include document properties, or add a password. Choose Standard unless file size matters more than quality.

Print to PDF as a fallback

If Save As is unavailable, for example in an older version or a viewer, choose File, Print. On Windows, set the printer to Microsoft Print to PDF and click Print, then name the file. On Mac, click the PDF dropdown in the bottom left of the print dialog and choose Save as PDF.

Download as PDF from Google Docs

Open the document in a browser and choose File, Download, PDF Document (.pdf). The file lands in your downloads folder with the same name as the document.

Export from the Word app on iPhone

Open the document in the Word app, tap the three-dot button in the top right, tap Export, and choose PDF. Pick a location or tap the share button to send it straight to Mail or Messages.

Save As keeps more than printing does. A PDF made with Save As or Export keeps clickable links, and Word headings become PDF bookmarks that show up in the sidebar of most readers. Printing to PDF flattens the document to pages only, so links stop working and bookmarks disappear. Use Save As unless you specifically want a flat file.

Check fonts and page breaks. Open the PDF once before sending it. A font that is not installed on the machine doing the conversion gets substituted, which can push text onto a new page.