Convert a Word document to PDF
Turn a .docx or .doc file into a PDF that looks the same everywhere it is opened. Add your document and the PDF target is selected automatically.
PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or OpenDocument
Word, Excel and PowerPoint convert to PDF exactly as they would print.
Why send a PDF instead of the document
A Word file is rendered by whatever program opens it, using whatever fonts that machine happens to have, so the same document genuinely can look different on someone else’s computer. A PDF carries its layout with it. That is why almost every application form, CV submission and contract asks for one: the sender and the recipient are guaranteed to be looking at the same thing.
What to check before converting
Two things cause nearly all the surprises. First, any comments or tracked changes still in the document will normally be baked into the PDF, which is an embarrassing way to send a CV; accept or reject everything and delete the comments first. Second, check the page breaks in Word, because anything that looks awkward there will be permanently awkward once it is a PDF.
Spreadsheets and slide decks too
The same converter handles Excel and PowerPoint files, along with the OpenDocument equivalents and plain RTF and TXT. Spreadsheets need the most care, since a sheet that is wider than the page will be split across several, and the break lands wherever the page runs out rather than anywhere sensible. Set the print area and orientation in the spreadsheet first if the layout matters.
Frequently asked questions
Do my fonts stay the same?
Common fonts come through as you would expect. An unusual font that is not available to the converter will be substituted with the closest match, which can nudge line breaks. If a specific typeface is essential, checking the finished PDF is worth the thirty seconds.
Are hyperlinks preserved?
Yes, links in the document normally remain clickable in the PDF. It is still worth testing one after converting, particularly in a CV, where a dead portfolio link is a real cost.
Can I convert several documents at once?
Files are converted one at a time. For a batch, run them in sequence — each conversion is quick, and doing them individually means a problem with one file does not obscure the results of the others.