In this article, you will read about how to save a word document as a pdf without losing formatting or how to save word as pdf after editing. I have checked the best practices on saving in those articles and methods that would help you to do it.
Word to PDF formatting is the most common reason for the conversion to fail. If you have Word documents with complex formatting, then you will surely run into issues during conversion. However, there are some ways to save a Word document as a PDF without losing formatting.
Word to PDF conversion issues, when you try to send a Word document as a PDF document to someone who isn’t using your copy of Microsoft Word or other formats. Often you would want to save a Word document as a PDF because it preserves the formatting and font styles of your document better than just sending the file as an attachment. However, how many times have you sent that file and only then noticed that all the formatting looks weird or wrong in some way?
Word to pdf converters are useful in a wide variety of ways. You have probably faced the following issues. You have a Word document and you would like to convert it into PDF format, because you do not want to send it via email or simply because you prefer receiving such a file. But then you discovered that formatting is not preserved during the conversion and you are unsure what to do next. Your Word document was created with complex formatting and styles and changing that is troublesome.
Method1Using Word on Windows
- 1Open the Microsoft Word document. Double-click the Word document to open it in Microsoft Word.
- If you haven’t yet created the document, open Word, then click Blank document and create the document as needed before proceeding.
- Click File. It’s in the top-left corner of the Word window. Doing so opens a pop-out window.
- 3Click Export. This option is in the left-hand column of options. You should see several new options appear in the middle of the window.
- 4Click Create PDF/XPS Document. It’s in the upper-left corner of the window.
- 5Click Create PDF/XPS. This option is in the middle of the window. Doing so prompts a pop-up window.
6Select a save location. On the left side of the window, click the folder in which you want to store the PDF version of your Word file.
- Since the PDF is a different file type than the Word document, you can store the PDF in the same file location as the Word file.
- You can also enter a new file name in the “File name” text box if you like.
7Click Publish. It’s in the bottom-right corner of the window. This will create a PDF copy of your Word document in your specified location.
Microsoft Word has come a long way since the time of Clippy the Microsoft Paperclip. The word processor now has a number of useful features, including its built-in PDF converter powered by Adobe.
It’s possible to save and share PDFs across PowerPoint, Excel and Word, using any device. This includes Windows, Mac and mobile devices.
The conversion process is super quick and easy. We’ll guide you through it in just a few simple steps. Plus, you’ll learn how to convert Word docs into PDFs outside of Microsoft Word and what to do if you run into any problems.
Why Save a Word Doc as a PDF?
Back in the day, PDFs were invented as a means of easily sharing documents between different computers and operating systems. And we still use PDFs for this purpose today.
When you apply for a job, submit a college essay, send a business proposal etc, the recipient will most likely ask for your doc in PDF format. This is so that they can open and view your important document easily and in the correct format, no matter which program you used to create it.
So, convenience is perhaps the biggest reason to convert your docs to PDF. Here are a few further benefits:
Integrate Other Elements and Media
PDFs can be more than just plain text. You can incorporate images, graphics, audio, animation, video and more. These elements may complement your text and improve your document overall. It’s also possible to add hyperlinks or buttons that’ll take users to further resources that could prove useful.
Secure Your Documents
People often send PDF files in view-only format. This makes it difficult for others to alter or delete your document after you’ve created it. Furthermore, you can protect PDF files with a password. This is worthwhile if you’re sharing sensitive information.
Reduce the File Size
You may be concerned that your PDF, with all of its lovely graphics and so on, will be too big to share. But, the truth is, it’s super easy to compress a PDF document and maintain the quality of the original. You don’t even need an extra tool to do this. You can reduce the size of the PDF when you save it in Microsoft Word.
All in all, PDF is the best document format for sharing. It’s convenient plus your files are compact and secure.
How to a Save Word Doc as a PDF on Any Device
Saving your Word doc as a PDF is extremely simple once you know how. Here’s how to do it on any device or operating system:
1. Windows
Step 1. Go to File.
Step 2. Select Export.
Step 3. Click Create PDF/XPS Document.
2. Desktop App
Step 1. Go to File.
Step 2. Select Share.
Step 3. Click Share as attachment.
Step 4. Select PDF.
Step 5. Choose where you want to save your PDF.
3. Mac
Step 1. Click File.
Step 2. Click Save As.
Step 3. Click the dropdown menu next to File Format.
Step 4. Select PDF.
Step 5. Click Export.
4. iOS
Step 1. Tap the File button.
Step 2. Tap Export.
Step 3. Tap PDF.
5. Android
Step 1. Tap the Share button.
Step 2. Tap Share as attachment.
Step 3. Tap PDF.
Step 4. Select where you want to save your PDF.
How to Customize a PDF in Microsoft Word
Before you hit save, you may want to tweak your PDF settings. Here are some of the useful customizable options:
Include Tracked Changes
If you’re collaborating on a doc with another person, then you may wish to include tracked changes on the PDF when you share it. You also might need to do this if, for example, you work as an editor or a teaching professional and you need the person on the other end to see the changes you’ve made.
To include tracked changes in your PDF, in the Options menu, select Document showing markup under Publish what.
Include Bookmarks
PDF bookmarks act as a sort of table of contents for your PDF. If you have a lengthy document with multiple sections, you may wish to add bookmarks for easy navigation. When you convert a Word document to PDF, you can either retain the bookmarks you created for the original Word doc or create bookmarks for the PDF using the headings within the document. In the Options menu, check the box that says Create bookmarks using then select Headings or Word bookmarks.
Improve Accessibility
Screen-reading software translates text and images to speech for the visually impaired. You can improve your doc’s accessibility by making it easier for screen-reading software to read. To do this, check the box that says Document structure tags for accessibility in the Options menu.
Convert Only Some Pages
There are many instances in which you may not need to turn your entire document into a PDF. Say, you have a large document, but you only need to share one key page or section with another person. It’s possible to convert and save only the necessary pages as a PDF. All you need to do is set the page range in the Options menu by selecting the appropriate numbers next to Pages From and To.
Set a Password
As mentioned above, you can password-protect your PDF for security purposes. To set a password, in the Options menu, check the box next to Encrypt the document with a password under PDF Options. Naturally, you need to choose a password that’s strong and unique to ensure its efficacy.
Other Ways to Convert Word Docs into PDFs
If somebody sends you a Word doc but you don’t have Microsoft Word, there are few alternative ways to convert the doc into a PDF. Take a look:
1. Use Google Drive
You can save Google docs in a variety of formats including PDF. Therefore, you can convert your Word doc by uploading it first to Google Drive then saving it as a PDF. Here are the steps:
Step 1. Click the + New button.
Step 2. Click File upload and choose the correct file.
Step 3. Open the file in Google Docs.
Step 4. Go to File then Download.
Step 5. Select PDF Document.
2. Use a PDF Converter
There are a bunch of free tools you can use to convert Word docs into PDFs. Some of the most popular options include PDF Converter, Smallpdf and Soda PDF. These tools all work in pretty much the same way. You upload the file directly in your browser, the tool converts the file and then you can download it again.
When choosing a PDF converter, the most important thing you should look for is security. Some tools keep your docs safe by encrypting your files and then destroying them from their servers once your download is complete.
3. Use a Free Microsoft Word Alternative
If you don’t want to splash the cash on an Office 365 subscription, there are some decent free alternatives available. Examples include Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice and WPS Office. You can open a Word doc with one of these programs and then save it as a PDF.
If you want to use a Word alternative as more than just a PDF converter, then you’ll need to check out which program has the best features, the simplest interface and so on.
Common Problems When Turning Word Docs into PDFs
For most users, converting a Word doc to PDF will be as simple as a few clicks. However, there’s always a chance that you’ll run into an issue.
Forums and message boards are littered with people who are struggling to turn their Word docs into PDFs. There are two main problems that come up time and again:
- Formatting Issues – The layout of the PDF is different from the original Word doc. For example, the text has been rearranged, the margins are a different size or the pagination is off.
- Conversion Issues – Word is unable to convert the doc into a PDF, so trying to save it as a PDF simply doesn’t work. You might see an error message.
Thankfully, there are some workarounds and ways to troubleshoot any issue you may have when attempting to convert your doc:
1. Change the file from .docx to .doc before converting to PDF.
2. Try a PDF converter tool instead of using Word to create the PDF.
3. Check if a third-party integration is the problem by starting Microsoft Word in Safe Mode.
To do this, hold the CTRL key and double-click the Microsoft Word app, then click Yes when the dialog box asks if you want to start in safe mode. If you can convert your doc in safe mode then an add-in is the problem. Disable all add-ins then enable them one by one to figure out which add-in is causing your problem.
4. Repair your Office installation in your computer’s Control Panel.
You may not be able to convert your file if there’s an issue with the Microsoft Word application. But, the good thing is that Microsoft 365 comes with a tool to fix itself. Here’s how to access the tool on Windows 10:
Step 1. Right-click the Start menu.
Step 2. Select Apps and Features.
Step 3. Select Microsoft Word and click Modify.
Step 4. Select Online Repair or Repair depending on your installation type.
Step 5. Follow the instructions to carry out the repair.
5. Configure PDF Options to fix formatting errors.
In the Options menu, check the box that says ISO 19005-1 compliant (PDF/A). This will ensure that your PDF saves as a top-quality version which will look the same on different computers.
If the font looks different in your PDF to the original Word doc it may be because the font can’t be embedded. In this case, the PDF reader may substitute it for a different font. If you wish to retain the original font then you can use a bitmap image of the text instead. In the Options menu, check the box next to Bitmap text when fonts may not be embedded.
6. Find the corrupt element.
There may be a specific problem within the document. In most cases, this will be a corrupt element (e.g. a graphic, table or font) or an element the program is unable to convert.
The following troubleshooting process may help you locate the element that’s causing your problem:
Step 1. Create two copies of your Word doc.
Step 2. In the first copy, delete the second half of the doc and in the second copy, delete the first half.
Step 3. Try to convert both docs to PDF. If one copy fails, you know the problem is in that half of the document.
Step 4. Keep repeating the process to narrow down the problem area.
When you’ve honed in on the problem element, you may wish to delete or change it.
How to Convert a PDF to Word
Got a PDF you want to edit with Word? Or maybe you converted a file to PDF and want to change it back? The process of converting a PDF file to a Word doc is also rather simple. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Windows
Step 1. Locate the PDF file and right-click.
Step 2. Select Open with.
Step 3. Select Word.
Step 4. A dialog box will appear explaining that Word will now convert your file and it may look different from the PDF. Click OK.
2. Mac
Step 1. Locate the PDF and click.
Step 2. Click File in the top-left corner.
Step 3. Select Open with from the File menu.
Step 4. Choose Microsoft Word.
MS Word versions for Windows starting from 2007 have a built-in function to generate a bookmarked PDF. Although Word for MAC has the PDF conversion possibility, only the most recent versions have the bookmarking feature. Best practice for MAC users having no bookmarking feature is to get the document converted on a Windows PC.
There is a possibility to add bookmarks to a ready PDF but it has considerable functional disadvantages. Such editing of PDF documents could be made for example with Adobe Pro (Adobe Acrobat 9) or by using online solutions. Because of the functional disadvantages, we do not recommend these solutions.
What to do
- Open your Word document
- Navigate to the File tab, select Save As (select save location)
- Select Save as type: PDF
The default save option is probably Word Document (.docx) format. Select instead PDF from the drop-down menu. Do not save yet.
- Set up the bookmarking option
A.) In Word for PC:
As soon as you select PDF a new Options button appears. Click it.
In some versions of Word instead of the Options button, you will find a More options link. Click it.
B.) MAC users who have a bookmarking feature should find and select Best for electronic distribution and accessibility. Notice, it uses online services! If done skip to point 8
and open the PDF file.
If you do not see the above-mentioned option your Word version does not have the bookmarking feature. Please convert your document on a PC (e.g. CEU computer).
- Add bookmarking settings
Select these options: Create bookmarks using: Headings. Click OK.
- To open the converted PDF automatically have the Open file after publishing option checked (below the Options button).
- Save the file
It will take a few seconds till the PDF file is generated and opened. - Check the bookmarks in the new PDF file.
Click the bookmarks icon to open the side panel.
Click each bookmark (1.) to check if it navigates you to the right place. Note the foldable structure (2.) of titles.
Note, documents written on MAC might have bookmarking errors (linking to the wrong place, etc.). If this happens, turn to Computer and Statistics Center’s Coordinator or Course Instructor for assistance.
Conclusion
Have you ever bothered by the problems about how to save a word document as a pdf without losing formatting? Can you share a PDF that looks exactly like the original Word doc? If so, perhaps you are a very efficient in using Microsoft Word. However, there are many people who love to edit word files and convert word documents to PDFs but don’t know how to create PDFs with the same formats and styles of their Word files.
Microsoft Word is a word processing software, so you can write down your ideas, thoughts and sentences. It can help you to create some great documents. But in most case, the documents we saved in Word format are not editable on another computer or in another computer version.