Saving your LinkedIn profile as a PDF can be incredibly useful in many situations. It gives you a ready-to-share version of your professional summary for applying to jobs, networking, referencing it offline, or simply keeping a personal backup before making changes.
Follow along as we discuss why and how to save your LinkedIn profile as a PDF, what issues you might encounter, and what the most practical workarounds are if the built-in tool is not working.
Why Save Your LinkedIn Profile as a PDF?
You might want to save your LinkedIn as a PDF for a few practical reasons. For example, it is helpful when applying for jobs that ask for a resume, as it allows you to quickly share a professional summary without starting from scratch. It also comes in handy for networking or offline sharing when you need to send your details by email or present them at an event.
Moreover, downloading your LinkedIn profile as a PDF helps you keep a personal record of your experience, skills, and milestones. You can use it to track your career growth or refer back to past versions over time.
It is also a smart backup option; before making changes to your profile, you can download a copy to have peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
How to Save a LinkedIn Profile as a PDF on Desktop
To save your LinkedIn profile as a PDF on desktop, follow these five simple steps:
1. Visit LinkedIn and log in to your account.
2. Select Me from the toolbar at the top of the page and select View Profile.
3. Click Resources under the Connections line.
4. Select Save to PDF from the drop-down menu that appears.
You will get a notification like this in the bottom-left corner of your screen once your download starts:
5. Locate the downloaded LinkedIn profile on your computer.
However, please note that this will only work properly with English text. To use it without issues, both the content and the account’s language must be set to English. If your profile or settings use a different language, the PDF may miss some text.
How to Save a LinkedIn Profile as a PDF via the Mobile App
You can also save your LinkedIn Profile as a PDF on a mobile app; here is how:
1. Open LinkedIn on your phone and log in to your account.
2. Click on your image in the top-left corner.
3. Click on your image again when the left panel appears to navigate to your profile page.
4. Select the three dots icon (...).
5. Select the Share via… from the options that appear.
6. Select Save to Files.
How to Save Someone Else’s LinkedIn Profile as a PDF
Saving someone else’s LinkedIn profile as a PDF comes with a few limitations and considerations. In most cases, the option is only available for your 1st-degree connections, meaning you need to be directly connected to the person.
Even then, LinkedIn restricts access based on the user’s privacy settings, so you might not be able to generate a PDF file for every profile. It is also important to consider the ethical side before saving or sharing someone else's information.
Just because the option exists does not mean it is always appropriate to use it. Always respect privacy, avoid sharing personal details without permission, and use the information responsibly. Also, you should note that saving others’ LinkedIn profiles offline is limited to 100 downloads per month.
Follow these steps to download other LinkedIn profiles:
1. Open the LinkedIn profile that you want to download as a PDF.
2. Select More, which is next to Message.
3. Click Save to PDF in the drop-down menu that pops up.
Troubleshooting: LinkedIn “Save as PDF” Not Working
If LinkedIn’s Save as PDF feature is not working, there are a few simple steps you can try to fix the issue.
- Clearing your browser cache and cookies is a good place to start; this can usually resolve glitches.
- If that does not help, change to another browser to see if the problem is browser-specific. LinkedIn works well on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, so it is worth testing on a few.
- Next, check your LinkedIn settings; as previously mentioned, the feature may not work if your profile and account language aren’t set to English. Also, take a look at your privacy settings; if your profile visibility is restricted, LinkedIn might block you from generating a PDF.
- If you are using LinkedIn on your phone or tablet, you should ensure it is updated to the latest version to access all features and avoid potential bugs. As a last resort, you can manually save a profile by printing it to PDF. Simply open the profile, press Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on a Mac, select Save as PDF as your printer, and download the file.
Alternatives to LinkedIn’s PDF Export Feature
If LinkedIn’s PDF export feature is not available or doesn’t meet your needs, there are three alternatives you can consider:
#1. Copy Profile to Word and Save as PDF
One of the simplest alternatives is to manually copy your LinkedIn profile into a Word document. Copy the key sections, paste them into a Word document, and then format them into the desired layout.
This LinkedIn-to-Word approach is particularly useful if you want to customize your PDF resume beyond what LinkedIn’s default PDF export allows. You can choose the fonts, headings, or templates, and add details that were not initially on your LinkedIn profile.
Once everything is in place, save the Word document as a PDF. Even though it takes a bit more effort than clicking a button, it is possible to create a polished result. A document like this can be tailored to specific job applications, presentations, or personal branding materials.
#2. Use Resume-Building Tools Integrated with LinkedIn
If you want a quicker option than copying and pasting, try using a resume builder that integrates with LinkedIn. These tools can pull your profile data directly and turn it into a clean resume in just a few clicks.
There are many options you can find online; most are free to try, though some advanced templates or features may require a paid plan. This approach is also great if you want multiple versions of your resume tailored to different industries or roles.
#3. Take Profile Screenshots and Combine in PDF
Taking profile screenshots and combining them in a PDF is the third workaround if your LinkedIn PDF download is not working. You can scroll through your profile and take full-page or section-by-section screenshots using your device’s built-in tools or browser extensions. Once you have all the screenshots, combine them and save them as a PDF using PDF.net.
While this option is more visual and less editable than others, it is quick and does not require manual copying and pasting. It is also ideal if you want to archive your profile exactly as it appears or share a visual reference without worrying about formatting shifts. Just be sure the screenshots are of high resolution for a professional finish.
Try PDF.net as a Handy Alternative
If LinkedIn’s Save as PDF feature is not working properly, PDF.net is a handy alternative. You can use it to convert a Word version of your profile into a polished PDF or merge profile screenshots into one file.
It runs entirely in your browser, which means you can get the job done faster without wasting time on downloads or updates. All files are processed securely and automatically deleted after use, keeping your information private.
Final Thoughts
Saving your LinkedIn profile as a PDF is a smart way to stay prepared, whether you are job hunting, networking, or just keeping a personal backup. However, while LinkedIn’s built-in feature is convenient, it does not always work perfectly.
That's where simple workarounds, such as copying your profile to Word, using resume builders, or trying PDF.net, come in. These options give you flexibility and control over how your profile is shared or stored; with the right approach, you can create a professional PDF version of your LinkedIn profile in just a few minutes.
How to Save LinkedIn Profile as a PDF FAQs
#1. Can I save LinkedIn posts in PDF format?
You can’t save LinkedIn posts in PDF format directly, but you can use your browser’s Print to PDF feature to save individual posts. Just open the post, press Ctrl+P or Command+P on Mac, and select Save as PDF.
#2. Can I save my LinkedIn profile as a PDF without logging in?
No, you can’t save your LinkedIn profile as a PDF without logging in. The Save to PDF feature is located on your profile and is only accessible after you have signed in to your account, as LinkedIn requires authentication to protect user data.
#3. Is saving someone’s profile allowed?
Saving another person’s profile is allowed for 1st-degree connections in most cases, but only if their privacy settings permit it. However, you should always consider ethical use and avoid sharing or distributing their information without consent.
#4. Why can't I save my LinkedIn profile to PDF?
You might not be able to save your LinkedIn profile to PDF because of browser issues, outdated app versions, or incorrect language settings. Try switching browsers, updating LinkedIn, or using workarounds like copying to Word and then converting the file to PDF.