How to convert a Word document to PDF (DOC, DOCX): method and best practices

A CV, an invoice, a quote, a thesis, a formal letter: before sending a Word document, it is almost always better to convert it to PDF. The recipient sees exactly the layout you designed, whatever their computer, and cannot change the content by accident.

This guide explains why PDF is the right format to send, how to convert a Word file to PDF online without installing software, and how to prepare your document for a flawless result.

Why send a PDF instead of a Word file?

• Stable layout: a Word file can look different depending on the Word version, the operating system or the installed fonts. A PDF looks the same everywhere.
• Readable by anyone: every computer, phone and browser opens a PDF without special software.
• More professional: a CV or quote in PDF never shows tracked changes, comments or spell-check underlines.
• Harder to alter: the recipient does not change the content by mistake.
• Required by many platforms: job applications, government submissions, university portals.

Convert Word to PDF online

1. Open Word to PDF.
2. Drop your .docx or .doc file.
3. Run the conversion, then download the resulting PDF.

The tool is free, up to 5 files per day. Conversion runs on our servers with a professional word-processing engine; files are deleted automatically after 24 hours.

What is kept

In our tests with a two-page document containing a table, accented characters, an image and a deliberately missing font, the resulting PDF kept:

• the layout and pagination;
• tables;
• images;
• accented characters.

One thing to watch: a font that is not available on our servers is replaced with a similar one. If your document uses a rare or purchased font, the result may differ slightly (line widths, page breaks).

Avoiding font problems

Fonts are the number one cause of differences between the Word file and the PDF. Three fixes:

1. Use common fonts for documents you share (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, Verdana…).
2. Embed fonts in the Word file (File › Options › Save › Embed fonts in the file), then export to PDF from Word itself if you have it.
3. Check the PDF, especially the last page: one extra line can create an almost empty page.

Preparing your Word document

• Accept or reject tracked changes and delete comments before converting.
• Update the table of contents (right-click › Update field).
• Check headers and footers: page numbers, date, reference.
• Compress very heavy images in Word, or compress the PDF afterwards with Compress PDF.

After converting

• Combine several documents into one PDF with Merge PDF (for example CV + cover letter).
• Add a signature with Sign PDF.
• Protect a confidential document with a password using Protect PDF.
• Add page numbers with Add Page Numbers if your document has none.

And the other way round?

To get editable text back from a PDF, use PDF to Word. Note that this conversion keeps text and headings, but not images or tables.

Frequently asked questions

Which Word formats are supported?

DOCX files (Word 2007 and later) and DOC files (older Word versions).

Is Word to PDF free?

Yes, up to 5 files per day across all free tools.

Do hyperlinks stay clickable?

Links in the document are generally kept in the PDF. Check them in the output if they matter.

Why does my PDF have one more page than my Word file?

Usually because of a replacement font that is slightly wider than the original. Use a common font or reduce the line spacing a little.

Can I convert an Excel or PowerPoint file?

For Excel, use Excel to PDF. For other formats, see Convert a file.