How to Convert Google Doc to Pdf

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Converting a Google Doc into a PDF file is very easy and doesn’t require downloading and installing any third-party applications. All you need is the Google Chrome browser, which is now considered as the most popular browser in the world.

Here in this article, I will take you through the steps to Convert Google Doc to Pdf.

Basic Guidelines to Follow for Best Results

The process for converting PDFs and images to text is really easy, but good results depend on good source material, so here are some basic guidelines to follow:

  • The text in your PDF or image should be a minimum of 10 pixels high.
  • Documents must be oriented right-side up. If they are turned left or right, make sure you rotate them first.
  • This works best if your file contains common fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman.
  • Images should be sharp and evenly lit with strong contrast. If they are too dark or blurry, you won’t get very good results.
  • The maximum size for any image or PDF is 2 MB.

The more complicated the image or PDF, the more trouble Google Drive may have converting it properly. It probably won’t have problems with font styles like bold and italics, but other things like lists, tables, and footnotes may not be retained.

How to Use Google Drive to Convert Images into Text

In our example, we’ll convert a PDF file to editable text. First, open a web browser and log in to your Google Drive account (sadly, this only works on desktop, not mobile). Then, drag the PDF file you want to convert into your Google Drive account on the browser window.

A dialog box displays the progress of the upload and when the upload is complete. Click the “X” on the dialog box to close it.

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Right-click on the PDF file in the file list and select Open With > Google Docs.

The PDF file is converted to a Google Doc containing editable text.

Notice that the Google Docs version of the file still has the .pdf extension on it, so the files have the same name in the list. However, the Google Docs file has a different icon than the PDF file.

You can then convert the Google Doc to a Microsoft Word file that you can download or continue to work with online in your Google Drive account.

RELATED: How to Convert a Google Docs Document to Microsoft Office Format

You can convert an image file containing text the same way. You’ll end up with a Google Docs file containing the image at the beginning, followed by the text extracted from the image in an editable form. The results of conversions from images files are generally not as good as from PDF files, though.

What To Know

  • To download: Open the document, and go to File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).
  • To use email: Open the document and go to File > Email as attachment. Enter the address, convert (optional), and Send.
  • To save to Google Drive: Open the document and go to File > Print. Pick Save to Google Drive as the Destination, and Save.

This article explains how to use Google Docs to convert a document to a PDF file and save it to various places, like email and your Google Drive. The instructions in this article apply to the desktop version of Google Docs, which is accessed through a web browser.

How to Download a PDF Version of a Google Doc

  1. Log into Google Docs and open the document you wish to convert to PDF.
  2. Select File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).Downloading Google Doc as pdf
  3. Check your computer’s download folder for the PDF you just created. You can access your downloaded PDF file here.If your browser is not setup to ask you where to save downloaded files, the file will automatically be placed in your Download folder. Otherwise, you will be prompted to choose a location and filename for the document, and then to press Save to save it.

How to Email a PDF Version of a Google Doc

  1. Log into Google Docs, and open the document you wish to convert to PDF.
  2. Select File > Email as attachment.Emailing a Google Doc as an attachment
  3. Enter the recipient’s email address. Use your email address if you’d like to have the converted document delivered to your inbox.Enter a subject header, and, if you’d like, a message.Email as PDF options in Google Docs.
  4. Select Send. The recipient(s) will receive the PDF as an email attachment, which they can then download.

How to Save a PDF Version of a Google Doc to Google Drive

These instructions only work for Google Chrome.

  1. With the Google Doc open, select File > Print.Print Google Doc to save to Google Drive
  2. In the Destination field, select Save to Google Drive, then select Save.Print and save PDF to Google Drive
  3. The PDF will be saved to your Google Drive. You can view or share it directly from this location.

Google Docs can be a useful tool for drafting and collaborating on documents, but having a document that anyone can edit isn’t always the best option. Turning a Google Doc into a PDF can prevent people from editing it as well as help you avoid file size limits on email attachments. It’s also useful for living documents since linking to your PDF will always show the most recent version.

Here’s what you need to know to turn your Google Doc into a PDF, on desktop or mobile.

You can either download the PDF to your computer or save it to your Google Drive.

1. Open your Google Doc .

2. Click File in the top toolbar.Go to “File” at the top.

3. Hover your cursor over Download .Hover over “Download” to see more options.

4. Select PDF Document (.pdf) .Select “PDF” to download your Google Doc as a PDF.

Your PDF will appear at the bottom of the screen, and you can click the name of the document in that pop-up to open it.

Important: This method will only work if you’re using the Google Chrome browser.

1. In Google Chrome, open your Google Doc .

2. Select File in the top toolbar, then click Print .Choose “Print” to proceed.

3. Click the drop-down next to Destination and choose Save to Google Drive .

4. Hit Save .

1. From within your document, select File .

2. Hover over Email , then choose Email this file .Select “Email this file.”

3. Add the desired email address in the To section, as well as the subject line and any body text you want to include.Fill out the email menu to proceed.

4. If PDF isn’t listed in the bottom-left corner of the pop-up, click the drop-down menu to select it.

5. Hit Send .

The way you’ll be able to save or share your document as a PDF will depend on if you’re using an Android or an iPhone.

1. Open the Google Docs app and go into the desired document.

2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Choose Share and export .

4. Hit Save as to save it to your phone, otherwise select Send a copy .

5. Select PDF and tap Ok .

6. If you’re saving the PDF to your phone, tap the download icon, located to the right of the three dots in the top-right corner. Otherwise, choose who to send your PDF to and send it.

1. Open the Google Docs app and open your document.

2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.Select the three-dot icon to begin.

3. Select Share and export .Choose “Share & export.”

4. Choose Send a copy , then make sure PDF is selected and hit Ok .Choose the “PDF” option, if it isn’t already selected and hit “Ok.”

5. Select the person to send it to, or choose Save to files to save it to your phone.Choose who to send your PDF to, or save it to your phone.

Conclusion

You would want to convert Google Doc to a PDF document format. It is a very easy thing to do, right? All you have to do is open the Google Doc file and then click Print option on the menu at the top left of the screen. Next, choose “Save as PDF” (or if you want to save in another file format like Open Office or Word, then select that). If you already open the Google Doc file in your browser, then right click on it and select print.

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