You can use the Office programs to save or convert your files to PDFs so that you can share them or print them using commercial printers. And you won’t need any other software or add-ins.

Use PDF format when you want a file that:

  • Looks the same on most computers.

  • Has a smaller file size.

  • Complies with an industry format.

Examples include resumes, legal documents, newsletters, files that are intended to be read (not edited) and printed, and files that are intended for professional printing.

Important: 

  • Many programs, including Microsoft Word, have the ability to open and edit PDF files. Simply sharing something as a PDF is not sufficient to guarantee the recipient can't edit the file.

  • When you convert your spreadsheet to a PDF, the internal links within the spreadsheet will get lost during the conversion so the links will need to be verified. External links to other sources however will be fine.

To see step-by-step instructions, select an Office program from the drop-down list.

To save your file as a PDF in Office for Mac, follow these easy steps:

  1. Select File.

  2. Choose Save As.

  3. Select File Format at the bottom of the window.

    Use the File Format tool in Word's Save As to select other formats, like PDF, to save to
  4. Choose PDF from the list of available file formats.

  5. Give your file a name, if it doesn't already have one, then select Export.

Note: When using Best for printing, the hyperlinks may not convert correctly. This is a known issue in Word for Mac.

Important: 

You can use Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote for the Web to convert your doc into a PDF.

  1. Select File > Print > Print (in PowerPoint you will select one of three formats).

  2. In the dropdown menu under Printer , select Save as PDF and then select Save.

    Saving as PDF option for printing.

  3. Then in the Explorer menu that opens you can name the PDF and choose where to save it and then select Save.

This will generate a basic PDF that preserves the layout and format of your original document.

If you need more control over the options for your PDF, such as adding bookmarks, use the desktop app to convert your doc to a PDF. Select Open in Desktop App in the toolbar of PowerPoint and OneNote to start using the desktop app, and in Word select the Editing dropdown first and then select Open in Desktop App .

Image of the Open in Desktop App command

If you don’t own the desktop app, you can try or buy Microsoft 365.

To export your Word document or Excel workbook to PDF format on iOS tap the File button at the top left, choose Export and then PDF.

Tap File > Export to export your document to PDF

Portable Document Format (PDF) preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the PDF format file is viewed online or printed, it retains the format that you intended. The PDF format is also useful for documents that will be reproduced using commercial printing methods. PDF is accepted as a valid format by many agencies and organizations, and viewers are available on a wider variety of platforms than XPS.

XML Paper Specification (XPS) is an electronic file format that preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. The XPS format ensures that when the file is viewed online or printed, it retains exactly the format that you intended, and that data in the file cannot be easily changed.

Important: Most modern web browsers can open and display a PDF file. If you have an older operating system, however, you may need a PDF reader installed on your device such as the Acrobat Reader, available from Adobe Systems.

See also

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.