How do I Convert Word to PDF?

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format developed by Adobe Corporation. It is used to easily transfer documents via the Internet.

PDF files are protected from changes and retain the exact elements of a presentation thereby avoiding problems like missing fonts or broken layouts. PDF files can be viewed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader, an easily downloadable application supported by all OS-Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Converting MS Word Documents to PDF

Sending a uniform file to many recipients, transferring files from one OS to another, and having a presentation printed out in computer shops are just few of the many reasons why users convert their files to PDF. There are many applications that can be used to view and convert Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files to PDF like Adobe Acrobat, OpenOffice, and Word to PDF Converter V3.0 among others.

There are also sites like doc2pdf and ExpressPDF that offer easy Word-to-PDF conversion without downloading any program. Upload the file you want to convert, and you can get it back in PDF format within minutes.

Converting MS Word Documents to PDF Using a Document Converter

Converting MS Word files to PDF is just a matter of choosing your document converter as your printer. You can set your document converter as the default printer by going to Start > Control Panel > Printers and Faxes. In the following window, right click your document converter then choose Set As Default.

If you have another printer attached, you can choose your document converter from the Print window pop-up. To do this, follow the steps below.

Steps to Select Document Converter as Non-Default Printer

1. Open the document in Word.
2. Choose File then Print.
3. Choose your document converter (Adobe PDF printer or Universal Document Converter).
4. If you’re using Adobe PDF printer, you can just click OK, specify the filename and location for your PDF file, then Save it. If you’re using the Universal Document Converter, click Properties then choose Document to PDF, Color, Multipage in the scroll bar. Click OK then Print.

Converting MS Word Documents to PDF Using OpenOffice

If you have OpenOffice installed or if you’re using Linux, you can convert your document to PDF by using Macro. Follow the steps listed below to do this.

Steps to Use Macro on OpenOffice to Convert MS Word Documents to PDF

1. In OpenOffice, click Tools > Macros > Macro.
2. Click Organizer then choose the Libraries tab.
3. Set Application/Document to soffice, click New then name your library.
4. Click on the Modules tab, select your library then click New Module. Rename the module to Conversion for easier access.
5. When a window pops up, paste the following code:

Sub ConvertWordToPDF(cFile) cURL = ConvertToURL(cFile)

‘ Open the document.
‘ Just blindly assume that the document is of a type that OOo will
‘  correctly recognize and open — without specifying an import filter.
oDoc = StarDesktop.loadComponentFromURL(cURL, “_blank”, 0, Array(MakePropertyValue(”Hidden”, True), ))

cFile = Left(cFile, Len(cFile) - 4) + “.pdf”
cURL = ConvertToURL(cFile)

‘ Save the document using a filter.
oDoc.storeToURL(cURL, Array(MakePropertyValue(”FilterName”, “writer_pdf_Export”), ))

oDoc.close(True)

End Sub

Function MakePropertyValue( Optional cName As String, Optional uValue ) As com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
Dim oPropertyValue As New com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
If Not IsMissing( cName ) Then
oPropertyValue.Name = cName
EndIf
If Not IsMissing( uValue ) Then
oPropertyValue.Value = uValue
EndIf
MakePropertyValue() = oPropertyValue
End Function

6. Save and exit OpenOffice.

Use OpenOffice Macro on Linux to Convert MS Word Documents to PDF

Create a shell script in /usr/local/bin/:

#!/bin/sh

DIR=$(pwd)
DOC=$DIR/$1

/user/bin/oowriter-invisible
“macro://Standard.Module1.ConvertWordToPDF($DOC)”

Run your shell script on the Microsoft Word document and it will create a PDF file.

Use OpenOffice Macro on Windows to Convert MS Word Documents to PDF

After closing OpenOffice, create or open the file. Type this command:

@ECHO OFF

“c:\program files\OpenOffice.org1.1.0\program\soffice”-invisible
“macro:////NameofyourLibrary.Conversion.ConvertWordToPDF(%1)”

Rem “c:\program files\OpenOffice.org1.1.0\program\soffice” -invisible
“macro:////NameofyourLibrary.Conversion.test(%1)”

From the command line, type: convert c:\docu9.doc. The docu9.pdf file can be found in your C:\ folder.

Converting MS Word Documents to PDF on Mac OSX

Converting documents to PDF in Mac OS X is almost the same as converting it in Windows. However, you don’t need a document converter on Mac OSX for converting MS Word documents to PDF. Follow the steps below to convert your word file to PDF on Mac OSX.

Steps to Convert MS Word Documents to PDF on Mac OSX

1. Open your word file in your text editor.
2. Click File then Print.
3. In the Print window, click the PDF button at the bottom-left then select “Save as PDF…” option.
4. Choose the location, rename your PDF file, then click Save.