How to convert a Word document to PDF
November 12, 2026 3 min read
Short answer
If you have Word installed, the best way is to choose PDF from Word's own Save As or Export menu; the text stays selectable and the layout is kept. Without Word, you can open the document in Google Docs and download it as a PDF, or use a tool that runs in your browser with nothing to install.
Converting a CV, letter or assignment to PDF before you send it keeps the layout intact on the other end. Here are three ways and when each one fits.
Word to PDFTurn DOCX documents into PDF.1. With Word itself (best result)
Microsoft Word can save a document directly as a PDF. The text stays selectable and searchable, links keep working and the file is usually small. Job portals and CV screening systems can read the text, so this is the right way for CVs.
- 1Open the document in Word.
- 2In the File menu, choose Save As (or Export).
- 3Pick PDF as the file type and save.
2. With Google Docs (free, no Word needed)
If you don't have Word, upload the document to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs. Then go to File, Download, PDF Document. The text stays selectable here too.
Keep in mind that the document is uploaded to Google's servers, and complex tables, special fonts or text boxes can sometimes look slightly different. Check the PDF after downloading.
3. In your browser, nothing to install
The Word to PDF tool on mp4indir converts a .docx file to PDF in your browser, without uploading it anywhere. It helps when you don't want to install software, are on a shared computer, or don't want the document to leave your device.
To be honest about its limits: this tool creates the PDF pages as images, so the text can't be selected or searched. And if a font used in the document isn't on your device, a similar font is used and lines may shift a little. For CVs and job portals, method 1 or 2 is the better fit.
- 1Open the Word to PDF tool.
- 2Drag and drop or choose your .docx file (the old .doc format isn't supported).
- 3Press Convert and download the PDF.
How to do it on a phone
If you have the Word or Google Docs app, open the document, tap the three-dot menu and look for Share, Export or Print, then choose PDF. Menu names can change between app versions.
If you'd rather not install an app, the Word to PDF tool also works in your phone's browser.
Frequently asked questions
- Which method should I use for my CV?
- Word's own Save as PDF or Google Docs. With these the text stays selectable, so application systems can read your CV.
- Why did the font change in my PDF?
- If a font used in the document isn't on the device doing the conversion, a similar one is used instead. Saving from Word with fonts embedded in the PDF avoids this.
- How do I convert a .doc file?
- Open the old .doc file in Word or Google Docs and save it as .docx, or export it to PDF directly from there.
- Can I edit the PDF afterwards?
- PDF isn't really meant for editing. If you need changes, fix the Word document and convert it again.