FixFile
Office Documents

How to Convert Word to PDF (5 Ways, Free)

Complete guide to converting DOCX to PDF on Windows, macOS, and online — with tips to ensure fonts and layout are preserved.

Difficulty
Beginner
Time
5 min

Last updated

FixFile.online Team

The FixFile.online editorial team — file format specialists, developers, and technical writers focused on practical file-fixing solutions.

How to Convert Word to PDF

Converting Word documents to PDF ensures your formatting, fonts, and layout look identical on any device. Here are all the methods from fastest to most flexible.

Advertisement

Method 1: Word's Built-In Export (Fastest)

Available in Word 2010 and later. No extra software needed.

Windows:

  1. Open the document in Microsoft Word
  2. File → Save As → change file format to PDF
  3. Choose a location and click Save

Alternatively: File → Export → Create PDF/XPS → click Publish

macOS:

  1. File → Print
  2. In the bottom-left corner, click the PDF dropdown
  3. Select Save as PDF
  4. Name and save the file

Method 2: Google Docs (Free, No Software)

Works on any device with a browser. No Microsoft Office required.

  1. Go to drive.google.com and log in
  2. Click New → File Upload and upload your DOCX file
  3. Double-click the uploaded file → it opens in Google Docs
  4. File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf)

Google Docs handles most common formatting correctly. Complex layouts with custom fonts may render slightly differently.

Method 3: LibreOffice Writer (Free Desktop App)

Best for users without Microsoft Office. Handles most DOCX files accurately.

  1. Download and install LibreOffice (libreoffice.org — free)
  2. Open your DOCX in LibreOffice Writer
  3. File → Export as PDF (or press Ctrl+Shift+E)
  4. Click Export

LibreOffice's PDF export has advanced options for image compression, PDF version, and accessibility settings.

Method 4: Print to PDF (Any Printer)

Works with any application on any OS. Modern Windows and macOS have built-in PDF printers.

Windows:

  1. Open the document
  2. Ctrl+P to print
  3. Printer: Microsoft Print to PDF
  4. Click Print → save the file

macOS:

  1. Cmd+P to print
  2. Bottom-left: PDF → Save as PDF

Method 5: Word for Web (Free, in Browser)

If you have a Microsoft account (even free Outlook.com):

  1. Go to office.com and log in
  2. Upload the DOCX to OneDrive or open in Word for Web
  3. File → Save As → Download as PDF

Tips for Best Results

Embed fonts before converting: If your document uses non-standard fonts, embed them (File → Options → Save → Embed fonts). Without this, the PDF may substitute fonts and change your layout.

Check page breaks: Before exporting, switch to Print Layout view and scroll through. Hidden blank pages or awkward breaks will carry over to the PDF.

PDF/A for archiving: In LibreOffice's Export options, select PDF/A-1a — a standard designed for long-term archiving that self-contains all required display information.

Frequently asked questions

The fastest free method: File → Save As → PDF directly in Microsoft Word. No extra software needed. Alternatively, upload to Google Docs (free) and download as PDF — works without any desktop software.

Usually no — if the required fonts are installed. The risk is non-standard fonts that are not embedded. If the recipient's system lacks the font, it gets substituted. Embed fonts in Word before converting (File → Options → Save → Embed fonts in the file) to guarantee identical appearance.

Word's built-in export is the most accurate for Microsoft Office documents. For users without Office, Google Docs (free) handles most DOCX files well. LibreOffice (free) is best for offline conversion with advanced PDF options.

Learn more