Word to PDF
Convert Word files to PDF while preserving their formatting.
Option 1: Use Word (or Another Editor)
- Microsoft Word: Go to File › Save As and choose PDF as the file type. You can also use File › Export › Create PDF/XPS.
- Google Docs: Go to File › Download › PDF Document.
- LibreOffice Writer: Go to File › Export as PDF.
- Phone apps: Look for options to export, print, or share as a PDF.
This is the most reliable way to preserve formatting because it uses the same fonts installed on your computer, and the file stays on your device.
Option 2: Convert Online, Without Word
- Open Word to PDF.
- Select one or more
.doc,.docx,.odt, or.rtffiles (up to 50 MB each). - Click Convert to PDF, then download the result.
Transparency: Unlike the other tools on this site, this conversion uses a server because it relies on LibreOffice, which doesn't run in your browser. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection (HTTPS), converted, and deleted immediately after conversion. For highly sensitive documents, use option 1 instead.
To keep the formatting intact
- Fonts: Uncommon fonts may be replaced with similar ones during online conversion. Use popular fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), or in Word, turn on File › Options › Save › Embed fonts in the file before converting.
- Table of contents and page numbers: Update the fields (select everything and press
F9in Word) before creating the PDF. - Page breaks: Check the PDF page by page. Tables and images near the bottom of a page are most likely to "jump."
After converting
- PDF too large to email or upload? Compress it.
- Need to send a resume, certificates, and other documents in one file? Merge the PDFs.
- Have spreadsheets too? Use Excel to PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Is my document stored on a server?
No. It's sent over HTTPS, converted, and deleted immediately afterward. We don't read or use its contents.
Why does the PDF look different from the Word document?
It's almost always the font: if the converter doesn't have it, it's replaced with a similar one, which can change line breaks. Embed the fonts in Word or use Word's Save as PDF feature.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. Open the page in your phone's browser, select a file saved on your device or in Drive, and download the PDF.