How to convert a Microsoft Word document into PDF?

PDF is one of the best file formats to share and store files. No matter who you share the file with, the look and format of the file remain the same. More importantly, it does not distort and display any error irrespective of the device on which you open the file. But we generally create files as a word document, then to publish it we need to convert the Word file into PDF file.

Because word documents tend to have dependency errors, if opened on other devices then the devices they were originally created on. So here is how to convert a word document into PDF file. That way you can share pdf files easily without worrying about the device, readers will use to open the file.

Note: For these instructions, I have used Microsoft Word 2016, but the process should remain almost the same for other versions also.

If you haven’t already downloaded and installed Microsoft Word, then you can download it from here.

How to convert a Microsoft Word document into PDF file.

1. Open your Word file into Microsoft Word, click on File in the upper left corner.
2. Then in the left sidebar click on Save as.
3. Now click on Browse, and select the location where you want to save your PDF file.
4. Then click in the file name section, and give the file a name.
5. Then click on Save as type, in that select PDF.
6. Now just click on Save, this will save the file on the location you have selected.
7. If you want the file to be small and compressed in size select Minimum Size, before clicking on save.

If you are using an open-source office like, Libre office below is the instructions to convert word file into PDF file.

How to convert a Word file into a PDF for free using Libre office.

Open your file in Libre office suit, If you don’t have Libre Office installed you can download it from here.

1. Now open your word file in Libre office. (If you don’t know how to do that just, open Libre office writer and click on File in the upper left corner, then click on Open and browse to the location of the file and select it.)
2. Once your file is open in Libre Office writer, click on File in the upper left corner.
3. Then click on Export, and select Export as PDF.
4. Now change the compression if you want, or just click on Export.
5. Browse for the location, and select where you want the save the file. Then click on save.

Do you know there are various advantages of using PDF files? Here are some of the advantages of PDF files.

What are Advantages of using PDF format?

Document format is maintained

One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of PDF format is its ability to maintain the document as it is. As one of the biggest problems while sharing Microsoft Word document is that when you share a file from one device to another it’s unlikely that the file format will remain as it was on the device created.

This can cause problems while sharing a file. As your shared file might not look as you want it to, on another person’s computer. This can not only create a bad impression but can also make it difficult for the receiver to read the file.

Password protection:

Many Industries and businesses have shifted to PDF files primarily because PDF files can be password protected. PDF files also have other features like limited access, so that users will only be able to view files and will not be able to make any changes. These features make PDF format convenient for storing and sharing sensitive files.

It is well adopted

Because PDF files can retain their format irrespective of the device they are being used on. Their popularity and adoption have increased a lot recently. Be it smartphones, tablets, readers almost every device supports PDF file. That’s why it makes the PDF files important for those who want to share their work on every platform.

Small Size

PDF files can be compressed into relatively small sizes than other files. That’s very ideal for saving hard drive space when you are working with limited space. This is also ideal for cases in which you want to share your pdf as an email or course. This makes the attachment smaller in size and easy to share.

PDF will also survive technology change

Technology moves very quickly, although most word programs do support old files, the format might change. It happens that you opened an old word file either its format is not the same as it was created or it shows some dependency error.

This is not the case with the PDF files as they are widespread and platform-independent. They are probably here to stay for the long haul. So using PDF file will ensure your work and files will remain easily accessible for a long time to come.

These are some of the advantages of PDF files. But there is one thing that some may worry about. And that is are PDF files editable? and how to edit PDF files?

Since it might happen that you are not able to find your original file, in such cases you need to edit PDF files. So Yes PDF files can be edited and there are two ways to do it. Either edit PDF in Adobe Acrobat or convert them Word file and then edit PDF file as you wish. So let’s now see how to edit PDF files.

How to edit PDF files in Adobe Acrobat?

Acrobat is available for both Mac and Windows which you can download from here. After downloading install and then open Adobe Acrobat and follow the steps below.

1. Go to File and click on Open.
2. Choose the PDF file that you want to edit.
3. Then after file opens, click on Edit PDF, from the right toolbar.
4. Now edit as you would normally do.

Edit PDF file in Microsoft Word

Since Microsoft Word 2013 you can edit PDF directly inside Microsoft Word. To do that open PDF file directly in Microsoft Word. In Microsoft Word click on File and then click on open, then click on browse and select the file you want to open.

This will show a prompt, just click on OK, to convert the PDF file into word so that you can edit. Edit the file and once you are done you can again convert the Word file to save as PDF. If you want you can also save the file as Word file to continue edit in the future.

Now if you have an older version of Microsoft Word than 2013 you can try using the Adobe Acrobat method.

Conclusion:

In this article, we saw how can we convert the Word file into a PDF. And also how can we convert PDF files back again into Word files.

I hope this helps you. Do you want continuously need to share files between your phone and PC, here is an easy method to transfer files from PC to phone and phone to PC without using cables.