Answer

PDF stands for portable document format. The format is used when you need to save files that cannot be modified but still need to be easily shared and printed. Most devices open a PDF in an Internet Browser. 

 

There are several ways to save a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file in PDF format.

To save a file in .pdf format from the desktop app:

  1. Open the document you want to save as a .pdf.
  2. Click the File tab from the top ribbon.
  3. Click Save As from the left-hand menu (choosing Save As keeps your original version and allows you to save an additional copy in another file format).
  4. Enter a name for the file in the file name field, if you haven't already.
  5. Click the drop-down arrow in the box below the file name and select PDF (*.pdf)
  6. Click Save.

Microsoft Word 'Save As' drop-down menu with 'PDF' outlined in red.

You may also save the file as a PDF by clicking Print, then selecting Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer. Click Print to save the file as a PDF.

Screenshot of Microsoft Word print drop-down menu with "Microsoft Print to PDF" outlined in red.

To save a file in .pdf format from the web version of the app:

  1. Open the document you want to save as a .pdf.
  2. Click the File tab from the top ribbon.
  3. Click Export.
  4. Click Download as PDF. You may also click Download as PDF with comments if you want to save the file with any comments that were made on the document.

Screenshot of Microsoft Word export menu.

  1. A pop-up message will say that the document is ready. Click Download.

To save a document as a PDF on a Mac:

  1. Open the document you want to save as a PDF.
  2. Choose File > Print.
  3. Click the PDF button or the down arrow to open the PDF menu, then choose Save as PDF.
  4. Choose a name and location for the PDF file.