Your Word document is ready, but you need a PDF to send. Word has built-in options for creating one on your computer, in your browser, and on your phone. Follow the steps for your device, and keep the original Word file for future edits.
Save a PDF in Word for Windows
In Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, or Word 2021, save a PDF through the file-type setting.
- 1.Open your document in Word.
- 2.Select File > Save a Copy. For an unsaved document, select File > Save As or Save a Copy.
- 3.Select Browse and choose the destination folder.
- 4.Choose PDF from the Save as type list.
- 5.Select Save.
On a Mac, change the file format
With your document open in Word, select File > Save As.
Enter a filename for the PDF.
Set File Format to PDF.
Click Export, or Save if that's the final button in your version of Word.
Tip: Press Command+Shift+S to open Save As from the keyboard.
Download a PDF from Word in your browser
Word for the web lets you download a PDF on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook. With your document open, select File > Export > Download as PDF.
Select Download in the confirmation dialog. You'll find the PDF in your browser's download location.
Need the comments included? Choose File > Export > Download as PDF with comments, then select Download.
Export from Word on iPhone or iPad
Use Word's PDF export when your document is open on an iPhone or iPad.
Tap the three-dot menu, or the File menu in layouts that put export controls there.
Tap Export.
Select PDF.
Choose where to save the PDF.
Turn an Android document into a saved PDF
Android's print menu creates a saved PDF copy of your Word document.
Open the document in Word.
Tap the three-dot menu or File menu.
Tap Print.
Under Select a printer, choose Save as PDF.
Tap the PDF icon.
Choose a save location.
Enter a filename.
Tap Save.
Use the print dialog as another route
Windows and Mac also let you create a PDF through the print dialog.
On Windows 11, press Ctrl+P in Word.
Under Printer, select Microsoft Print to PDF.
Click Print.
Enter a filename in Save Print Output As.
Choose a destination folder.
Select Save.
On a Mac, press Command+P with the document open.
Choose Save as PDF from the PDF menu.
Enter a filename.
Choose a destination.
Click Save.
Windows Word also has a separate export route: select File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document > Create PDF/XPS.
Choose a destination folder.
Enter a filename.
Select Publish.
If printing to PDF fails or the PDF printer is missing, try Word's built-in saving method above or the Windows export route in this section.
Convert with Google Docs when you don't have Word
Open your uploaded Word file in Google Docs in your browser.
Select File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).
For a large document that won't download this way, select File > Print in Google Docs using Chrome.
Set Destination to Save as PDF.
Select Save.
Tip: Check the resulting PDF's layout and fonts, because opening Word documents in another editor can change them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does saving as a PDF stop someone from editing the document?
No. Exporting to PDF does not make the content uneditable.
Can I save only certain pages as a PDF?
Yes. In Word for Windows, select More Options > Options before saving. Use Page range to choose the pages to include. Confirm the settings, then select Save.
Can I add a password to the PDF?
Yes. In Word for Windows, open More Options > Options before saving and select Encrypt the document with a password. Availability depends on your edition and document protection. On a Mac, open File > Print > PDF > Save as PDF, then select Security Options to set password restrictions.
Why can't I print a work document to PDF?
An organization's mandatory sensitivity-label policy can block Print to PDF. Use File > Save As and choose PDF, or use Word's Export option when your policy permits it. If export is blocked too, ask your organization for an approved route.
