Word to PDF: What Changes and What Doesn't

The best method, if you have Word

In Microsoft Word, choose File, then Save As, then PDF. Word draws its own layout, so the PDF matches your document exactly and its text stays selectable. Google Docs has File, Download, PDF document for the same job. Use a browser converter when you do not have either at hand.

How ToolsTree converts a .docx file

The tool reads the contents of your .docx file, lays them out on A4 pages in your browser, and saves each page into the PDF as a picture. Nothing is uploaded. Page breaks are placed in the empty gaps between lines so that no line is cut in half. This is a beta tool.

What is kept

• Headings, paragraphs, bold and italic text
• Bulleted and numbered lists
• Tables
• Pictures inside the text

What is not kept

• Your fonts: a similar sans-serif font is used, so line breaks and the page count can change.
• Headers, footers and page numbers
• Text boxes, columns and footnotes
• Tracked changes and comments
• The ability to select, search or copy the text in the PDF, because pages are pictures

Get a better result

• Use simple formatting: normal paragraphs, headings and tables instead of text boxes and columns.
• Save old .doc files as .docx first. The tool does not read the old format.
• Keep the file under 25 MB. Documents longer than about 15 pages are drawn at a slightly lower resolution to keep the PDF at a sensible size.
• Open the finished PDF and scroll through it before you send it.

Need the text to be editable or searchable?

Pictures of pages cannot be edited as text. Edit your Word file first, then convert. If you need a PDF with real text, use Save as PDF in Word or Google Docs.