The answer to the question, “How do I make a PDF file?” is multifaceted, as there are several formats and tools you can use to create one.

You can make a PDF file using one of the 

 on your computer, like Microsoft Office, using cloud-based tools like Google Docs or a dedicated 

Once you learn how to make a PDF file, your documents will be more 

. Unlike some other file formats, PDF is platform-independent, and its relatively compact size makes PDF files easier to store, download, and transfer.

In this PDF creation guide, we’ll answer the “How do I create a PDF file?” question by explaining seven different methods of doing so. Let’s begin!

 programs like Word, Access, Publisher, Excel, and PowerPoint using the built-in 

 options—no additional software needed.

 allow you to download documents as PDFs directly.

 also let you export or print to PDF for quick conversions.

 by using the “Microsoft Print to PDF” or “Export as PDF” feature on Windows and Mac.

, you can convert, edit, split, merge, or annotate PDFs online, with no installation required.

How to Create a PDF File from Microsoft Office Products

You can create a PDF file using Microsoft Office programs with no other software or add-in.

Here’s how you can create a PDF from text, data, and designs with Microsoft Word, Access, and Publisher:

Open the document you want to convert from 

button in the drop-down menu on the left.


Click the Export button in the drop-down menu on the left

Enter the name of the document and save it.

Choose the report or table you want to convert to PDF.

Select the External Data tab and choose the PDF or XPS option

Select the document you want to convert from Publisher to PDF.

 option from the drop-down menu on the left and choose a location for the file you’re creating.

Enter the document’s name, choose the PDF format from the 

How to Create a PDF File from Google Docs

Creating a PDF file from Google Docs is fairly simple, thanks to the platform’s versatility. However, keep in mind that this is an 

, so you’ll need an internet connection.

Let’s see how to make a PDF file using the Google Docs app:

Open the document you want to convert to PDF or create a new one.

How to Make a PDF Document from Spreadsheets and Presentations

Making a PDF document from spreadsheets and presentations helps you share your tables, charts, and slides without compromising their formatting.

Let’s see how to make a PDF file from PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides presentations:

Open the presentation you want to convert from PowerPoint to PDF.

Make a PDF Document from Spreadsheets and Presentations

Choose the name and location for your PDF file and save it.

Open the presentation you want to convert from Keynote to a PDF document.

 option in the drop-down menu and then click 

Hover your cursor over the Export To option in the drop-down menu

Customize the export options, including image quality, slide range, and password protection.


, choose the location and name for your PDF file, and click 

Choose the location and name for your PDF file

Open the Google Slides presentation you want to save as a PDF file.

Open the Google Slides presentation you want to save as PDF

Here’s how to make a PDF file from Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers spreadsheets:

Open the document you want to convert from Excel to PDF.

Open the document you want to convert from Excel to PDF

Choose the name and location for your PDF document and save it.

Open the Google Sheets document you want to save as a PDF file.

Open the Google Sheets document you want to save as a PDF file

Customize the export options in the side menu and click 

Open the Numbers spreadsheet you want to save as a PDF.

Specify the page range and image quality of your PDF file and click 

Choose the location for your file and select 

How to Create a PDF File from Scanned Documents

Creating a PDF file from a scanned document allows you to keep its original layout and content while making it easier to share.

Here’s how to make a PDF file from a scanned document:

Open the document you want to convert to PDF.

, choose the location for the file, enter a name for it, and click 

How to Save Webpages as PDFs on Desktop and Mobile

Saving webpages as PDFs lets you preserve the entire page, including formatting, links, and images for offline viewing and sharing.

Let’s see how you can do that from a computer and a mobile device.

#1. Using a Browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox)

Let’s see how you can convert a webpage to PDF using a browser, whether you’re a Windows or Mac user.

Open the webpage and press Ctrl+P to open the print menu.


and choose the name and location for your file.

 option from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and click 

Select the Save as PDF option from the drop-down menu

Choose the location and name for the file and save it.

Here’s how you can save a webpage as a PDF file from a mobile device:

Select a mobile browser and load the webpage you want to save.

Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and choose the 

Save a webpage as a PDF file from a mobile device

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How Do I Make a PDF File? 7 Ways Explained With Steps