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Apr 4, 2025 • Document Management

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

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.

PDF.net

PDF.net

Content Team

how do i make a pdf file

You can make a PDF file using one of the pre-installed programs on your computer, like Microsoft Office, using cloud-based tools like Google Docs or a dedicated PDF maker tool.

Once you learn how to make a PDF file, your documents will be more readable, professional-looking, and easier to share. 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!

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:

Microsoft Word:

  1. Open the document you want to convert from Word to PDF.
  2. Select the File tab from the Ribbon.
    Select the File tab from the Ribbon
  3. Click the Export button in the drop-down menu on the left.
    Click the Export button in the drop-down menu on the left
  4. From there, select the Create PDF/XPS Document option and confirm it by clicking the Create PDF/XPS button in the right pane.
  5. Enter the name of the document and save it.

Microsoft Access:

  1. Choose the report or table you want to convert to PDF.
  2. Select the External Data tab and choose the PDF or XPS option.
    Select the External Data tab and choose the PDF or XPS option
  3. Type in the name and save the document.

Microsoft Publisher:

  1. Select the document you want to convert from Publisher to PDF.
  2. Open the File menu.
  3. Select the Save As option from the drop-down menu on the left and choose a location for the file you’re creating.
  4. Choose the folder from the right pane.
    Choose the folder from the right pane
  5. Enter the document’s name, choose the PDF format from the Save as type list, and then tap on Save.

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 online PDF creation option, so you’ll need an internet connection.

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

  1. Log into your Google Drive account.
  2. Open the document you want to convert to PDF or create a new one.
  3. Click the File section on the menu bar.
    Make a pdf file from Google Docs
  4. From the drop-down menu, select Download and choose the PDF format.

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.

#1. PowerPoint/Keynote/Google Slides

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

PowerPoint:

  1. Open the presentation you want to convert from PowerPoint to PDF.
  2. Select File from the menu tabs.
  3. Choose the Export option from the side menu.
  4. Tap on the Create PDF/XPS Document and confirm the action by clicking Create PDF/XPS.
    Make a PDF Document from Spreadsheets and Presentations
  5. Choose the name and location for your PDF file and save it.

Keynote:

  1. Open the presentation you want to convert from Keynote to a PDF document.
  2. Open the File menu from the menu bar.
  3. Hover your cursor over the Export To option in the drop-down menu and then click PDF.
    Hover your cursor over the Export To option in the drop-down menu
  4. Customize the export options, including image quality, slide range, and password protection.
    Customize the export options
  5. Tap on Save, choose the location and name for your PDF file, and click Export.
    Choose the location and name for your PDF file

Google Slides:

  1. Open the Google Slides presentation you want to save as a PDF file.
  2. Click on the File tab in the upper left corner.
    Open the Google Slides presentation you want to save as PDF
  3. Hover over the Download option and select PDF Document (*.pdf) from the drop-down menu.

#2. Excel/Google Sheets/Numbers

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

Excel:

  1. Open the document you want to convert from Excel to PDF.
  2. Click the File tab on the Ribbon.
  3. Choose the Export option from the side menu.
  4. Click Create PDF/XPS Document and confirm it by selecting the Create PDF/XPS option from the right pane.
    Open the document you want to convert from Excel to PDF
  5. Choose the name and location for your PDF document and save it.

Google Sheets:

  1. Open the Google Sheets document you want to save as a PDF file.
  2. Tap on File in the upper left corner.
    Open the Google Sheets document you want to save as a PDF file
  3. Hover over the Download option and select PDF (.pdf).
  4. Customize the export options in the side menu and click Export in the upper right corner.

Numbers:

  1. Open the Numbers spreadsheet you want to save as a PDF.
  2. Tap on File in the upper left corner.
  3. Hover over Export To and select the PDF option.
    Numbers spreadsheet
  4. Specify the page range and image quality of your PDF file and click Save.
    Specify the page range and image quality
  5. Choose the location for your file and select Export.
    Choose the location for your file

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:

  1. Open the document you want to convert to PDF.
  2. Tap on the printer icon in the top bar.
    Create a DF file from a scanned document
  3. Choose the Microsoft Print to PDF option from the drop-down menu.
  4. Tap on Print, choose the location for the file, enter a name for it, and click Save.

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.

Windows:

  1. Open the webpage and press Ctrl+P to open the print menu.
    Open the webpage and press Ctrl+P to open the print menu.
  2. From the Destination drop-down menu, choose the Save as PDF option.
  3. Select Save and choose the name and location for your file.

Mac:

  1. Press Command+P to open the print menu.
  2. Select the Save as PDF option from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and click Save.
    Select the Save as PDF option from the drop-down menu
  3. Choose the location and name for the file and save it.

#2. From Mobile

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

  1. Select a mobile browser and load the webpage you want to save.
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and choose the Share option from the drop-down menu.
    Save a webpage as a PDF file from a mobile device
  3. Select the printer icon.
    Select the printer icon
  4. Click Save as PDF.
    Save as PDF

How to Create PDFs from Images

Creating PDFs from images allows you to share them more easily while maintaining their quality and format.

Here’s how you can do it on Windows:

  1. Open the image you want to save as a PDF file.
  2. Select the printer icon in the upper left corner.
    How to Create PDFs from Images
  3. Open the Printer drop-down menu and choose the Microsoft Print to PDF option.
    Microsoft Print to PDF option
  4. Customize the options in the side menu and click Print.
  5. Choose the location and name for your file.

Let’s see how to make a PDF file from an image on a Mac:

  1. Open the image you want to save as a PDF file in Preview.
  2. Click the File tab in the Preview menu and choose the Export as PDF option.
    Click the File tab in the Preview menu
  3. Enter the file's name, choose where to save it, and click Save.
    Enter the file's name and choose where to save it

How to Make a PDF File With Our Tool

Making a PDF file with our PDF editor is simple and easy, whether you want to convert to PDF from a different format or vice versa. More importantly, you can edit text, add images, annotate, split, merge, and rotate files without having to download and install any tools.

Simply put, PDF.net allows you to make any changes you want to your document in one place from any device that has an internet connection.

This is how the process works:

  1. Sign up for PDF.net with your email address.
  2. Upload any doc, docx, jpg, or png file you want to convert to PDF.
    Making a PDF file with the PDF.net editor
  3. Choose from the options available in the toolbar if you want to edit text, upload an image, reorganize, split, or merge your PDF file, etc.
    Upload an image, reorganize, split, or merge
  4. Click Convert and download your file.

How Do I Make a PDF File FAQ

#1. Can I make a PDF on my smartphone?

Yes, you can make a PDF on your smartphone by converting a document from a different format to PDF or saving a webpage as a PDF file. The easiest way to do it is with the PDF.net tool.

#2. How do I convert scanned images to PDF?

To convert scanned images to PDF, select the printer icon, choose the Print to PDF option, and save the file.

#3. Are online PDF tools safe to use?

Online PDF converter tools are generally safe to use; however, choose only trusted online services.

#4. How do I make a PDF file smaller?

You can make a PDF file smaller by compressing its images, reducing the resolution, and removing unnecessary elements.

#5. How to convert text to PDF?

You can convert text to PDF from Word and webpages directly or by using the PDF.net tool.