How to convert word to pdf

We’ve all used Word documents and PDF files at some point. Each format is suited for a specific purpose, and it’s not uncommon to convert from one format to another. 

PDFs offer the promise of compatibility and are best for sharing files with others over email, messaging platforms, or the cloud, or even when printing your files.

If you’re wondering how to convert Word to PDF on a laptop, follow any of the methods we’ve outlined in this article.

Why you might want to convert Word files to PDFs

Word documents are ubiquitous in office environments, and for good reason. They’re very versatile, allowing you to create powerful multimedia-rich files. 

However, Word documents are best suited for editing environments. Once you have a finished document that’s ready to share, it’s best converted to a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. That’s because PDFs are highly resilient to accidental changes, and will dutifully preserve the format and content of the document across a range of software and devices.

A Word file, when opened on a different computer or a different program, might lose formatting, hyperlinks, images, and other objects. A PDF, on the other hand, will retain everything without fail, no matter where you view it, which makes it the preferred format for compatibility across environments. It’s a standard business format that finds use everywhere. 

A PDF also offers other distinctive advantages, like the ability to password protect your files and digitally sign them.

Convert Word file to PDF using Microsoft Word

You can use Microsoft Word, the same program you used to create your Word document, to convert your Word file to PDF. Many HP laptops have the Microsoft 365 trial version pre-installed, which gets you up to speed. You can also download the trial version of the app if you don’t already have it on your system.

Open the Word file in Microsoft Word. Click File, and select Save As. Click Browse to choose the location where you’d like to save the PDF. Select PDF from the drop-down list, and click Save. This will create a PDF file and save it in the selected location. This is one of the easiest ways to convert a Word document to a PDF file.

To see additional options when creating the PDF, like password protecting the file, click More Options, and choose Options. You can now create bookmarks in the PDF and include tracked changes as well.

How to use Adobe Acrobat online Word to PDF converter

Adobe, the inventor of the original PDF format, provides an excellent online Word to PDF converter tool to quickly convert Word files into PDFs using just your web browser and without having to install any additional conversion software.

On the Adobe Acrobat tool website, upload the Word file by clicking the Select a file button. You can also drag and drop the file from the Windows File Explorer into the browser window. The tool generates a PDF, which you can then download. If you’re signed in to your Adobe account, you can also save the file online. 

The Adobe online Word to PDF converter is highly secure, as it automatically deletes your files from the server unless you choose to save them online. This makes it super convenient when handling confidential files and data.

Another great thing about the online converter is that it lets you convert a variety of document formats to PDF, including RTF and TXT, in addition to DOC and DOCX formats. 

Many Word to PDF converter tools can mess with the original formatting of a Word file when generating a PDF. The Adobe Acrobat online tool has been designed to preserve your document’s original format, mitigating this problem.

Use Google Drive to convert Word files to PDFs

If you want to convert Word files to PDF without downloading any app, you can use Google Drive. Simply head to the Google Drive website, sign in to your Google account, and upload the Word file to the cloud. If you don’t already have a Google account, you can sign up for one.

Next, open the uploaded file on Google Drive, which brings up the Google Docs utility. At this stage, you can make any edits to the Word file, if needed, as Google Docs offers all familiar document editing features. It also packs in great collaboration features, so you can invite others to work on your Word document together in real time.

When you’re ready to create a PDF, click File, select Download, and choose PDF document (.pdf). Google Docs will now convert the Word document into a PDF, and download the file to your computer.

Use LibreOffice to export PDF from a Word file

LibreOffice is a full-fledged office suite, which packs in powerful document editing and format conversion features. It’s also completely free to use and open-source with a large and active community. Download LibreOffice to your laptop if you don’t have it installed already.

Start LibreOffice, and open the Word file you wish to convert. Click File, and choose Export As. Select Export as PDF. This will create a PDF file from your Word document and save it in the chosen location on your laptop. 

Third-party online tools to convert Word to PDF

There are also a number of third-party online tools that can convert Word documents into PDF files. Not all online file converters are made equal, though, and some are laden with advertisements and malware. 

It’s relatively straightforward to use these websites, as you simply need to upload the Word file on the site and it automatically converts it into a PDF, which you can then download.

Make sure you choose a trusted website to upload and convert your files, and review the website’s privacy policy and terms of use to know how it handles your data.

Summary

PDFs are among the most widely used document sharing and commercial printing formats, as they’re resilient to formatting distortions and compatibility issues. If you want to know how to convert Word to PDF on a laptop in a hassle-free manner, you can use any of the methods we’ve highlighted above. 

Adobe’s online converter and Google Drive make it super easy to convert DOCX and DOC files into PDFs right from your web browser, without downloading and installing any software.  You can also use the software already installed on your laptop like Microsoft Word and LibreOffice to easily convert Word files to PDFs. 

No matter which method you choose, it’s always a good practice to preview your PDF file before sending it across to ascertain that the formatting is as intended, and that there are no accidental changes to the content.

About the Author: Vidhu Jain is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. A Fortune 500 experienced brand storyteller, she’s a voracious reader who loves traveling and exploring the world.