Many newer applications offer a “Save Documents As PDFs” option embedded in them already, such as Open Office or Google Docs.

However, there may be other applications you’re using that do not have a PDF feature available. Here are some workarounds to get you started:

Print as PDF

  • Google Chrome offers a “Save as PDF” option built into the browser.
  • You can use programs such as doPDF or cutePDF, to setup a PDF printer. Then all you need to do is print to PDF just as you would with a physical printer.
  • Whether you are in Gmail or any other browser based email service, you can print the email to PDF.
  • Alternatively, you can save emails as Google Docs by enabling the “Create a Document” feature within Gmail Labs.

Print email in Gmail

Print to PDF

Save or Convert Files to PDFs in Microsoft Office

In Office 2007 you had to have an add-in to save as PDF or XPS. Download the 2007 Microsoft Office Add-in: Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS from the Microsoft Downloads page. Edit: this download is no longer available.

This download allows you to export and save to the PDF and XPS formats in eight 2007 Microsoft Office programs. It also allows you to send as e-mail attachment in the PDF and XPS formats in a subset of these programs.

In Office 2010 and later, the save as PDF or XPS export feature has been built into the office programs. See the Microsoft Support page describing the details of the new Save or convert to PDF or XPS addition.

Save or Convert Files To PDFs

  • Use programs such as Foxit or Adobe Acrobat Pro.
  • Use a Mac. Mac OS’s have native PDF features.

There’s a couple ways to save documents as PDFs. There are many other methods, let me know what you like to do.

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