[Fast & Safe] How to Create a PDF on Windows and Mac in 2023

By Roche | Follow | Updated on March 20, 2023 | Deutsch

Introduction:

When choosing a reliable file format during remote working or file transferring, users may think of PDF. Why? PDF has enhanced security, compatibility, and stability. It has become a standard file format for both individuals and businesses. There may come a basic question: how do we make a PDF file? This post will explain how to create a PDF.

When PDF has become a ubiquitous existence in modern offices, you may have the need to create a PDF file from Microsoft Office formats or images. No matter what you want, the post has everything about creating a PDF document from different sources.

How to Create a PDF File for Windows

SwifDoo PDF

SwifDoo PDF is a comprehensive desktop PDF creator on Windows, which can create a PDF via scanners, from blank pages, and files including Word documents and images. On top of this, SwifDoo PDF can save different types of files into PDFs, such as images, MS Office files, and AutoCAD. Take a look at how to create a PDF file readily:

Step 1: Download and install the newest version of SwifDoo PDF from the official website;

Step 2: Launch the program and click on the SwifDoo in the top left corner;

Step 3: In the drop-down menu, choose New PDF and then select how to make a document a PDF: create a blank PDF, from an image file, from an existing file (maybe in other file formats), from a CAD document, or from your scanner.

If you wonder how to create a blank PDF, for example, click on the “New Blank Page”, and a blank PDF named “Untitled 1” will be opened automatically in front of you. Then, you can start editing or annotating the current PDF.

There is another way to make an editable PDF file if you currently have Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. It involves converting these documents from other formats to PDFs. If you need to make a photo a PDF from your local folder, read the following guide:

Step 1: Go to the main menu and click New PDF, then choose New from Image or New from File;

Step 2: When the SwifDoo PDF Converter is automatically activated, upload a local image or Word file to the workstation;

Step 3: Hit the Start button to create a new PDF file from the original image or Word document.

Microsoft Print to PDF

Specifically, the following recommendation is to use a built-in Windows 10 application instead of a professional PDF creator. Since Windows 10 has a built-in printer driver, users can then easily create a PDF file.

You're in luck if you have a PC running Windows 10 or later versions. No extra PDF software is required to solve the problem of how to create a PDF on Windows 10. A Microsoft PDF printer can help you create a PDF from images, text files, and MS Office documents. Here’s how to utilize a Microsoft PDF printer to make a PDF file:

Step 1: Right-click on a file in your local folder and choose Print;

Step 2: Change a printer to Microsoft Print to PDF in Select Printer;

Step 3: In the Save Print Output As window, rename the file and specify where you want to save the PDF. If ready, hit the Save button. If you have multiple files to create, click on those documents and then repeat the above process.

How to Create a PDF on Mac

Mac users should be familiar with the default PDF viewer - Preview. Maybe when you need to create a PDF on macOS, the first thing on your mind is to utilize a dedicated PDF creator. Truth be told, you should not give it a miss as Preview is packed with multiple basic features, including creating a PDF file. Just check out how Preview helps make a PDF on Mac:

Preview

Like Microsoft Print to PDF, macOS users have their natural application Preview to easily make a PDF for free. It works through Save as PDF to convert an image or MS Office file to a PDF, and the whole process only takes a few steps. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open a document with Preview;

Step 2: Select File in the menu bar and choose the last option Print;

Step 3: Select Save as PDF from the PDF pop-up menu, then click the Print button.

The same problem: Preview is more of a PDF converter than a PDF creator. If you’re looking to create PDFs in batches or add a blank page to a PDF, then Preview won’t meet your expectations. Some developers have noticed the need and have released professional PDF creators on macOS, including PDF Expert.

PDF Expert

If you need to create a new blank PDF document, PDF Expert is a great option. It is an easy-to-use and powerful PDF creator on Mac devices, allowing users to annotate text, fill out PDF forms, and e-sign documents. This application is available on both macOS and iOS, and Apple users can download it for free.

Step 1: Download PDF Expert from App Store or its official website;

Step 2: Launch PDF Expert;

Step 3: Hit the blue + sign or click on File to choose New File. After this, a blank PDF is successfully created, and users can freely write on the PDF.

PDF Expert not only creates PDFs but also integrates the PDF conversion feature. Here, we don’t provide unnecessary details since Preview is a good and reliable built-in file converter on Mac.

How to Create a PDF Online for Free

iLovePDF

There are too many free online PDF creators that can make a PDF. However, most of the online PDF tools share the same process of creating a new PDF, that is, converting your files into PDFs. Let’s take iLovePDF as an example to see how to create a PDF online:

Step 1: Enter the URL into the search bar;

Step 2: Click CONVERT PDF to select a method for creating a PDF;

Step 3: Tap on the Select WORD files and import a Word file into the workplace from Google Drive, Dropbox, or a local folder;

Step 4: When ready, click CONVERT to make a PDF from a photo or a Word document. After that, click on the Convert to PDF to create a PDF file.

Though iLovePDF offers an easy and free way to create a PDF document, it imposes any limits on the free tasks: a free account can perform two tasks for free every 24 hours. With that said, when you run out of tasks, it is of no help to you. So, cherish your free chances!

How to Create a PDF File on Mobile

As the number of mobile phone users increases, the question of how to make a PDF on mobile (including iPads, iPhones, and Androids) is hotly debated. In this section, we are going to take a closer look at:

How to Create a PDF on iPhone 

As the PDF format offers greater stability and consistency, more and more mobile users tend to share PDFs without worrying about messed-up formatting. So how do we create a PDF on an iPhone or iPad?

Step 1: On your iPhone or iPad, open a web page, image file, or MS Office document;

Step 2: Click on the Share button and choose Print;

Step 3: Zoom in on the thumbnail, and when you are directed to the Printer Options window, it indicates that your file has been converted to PDF;

Step 4: Choose Save to Files to create and save this PDF.

It's not difficult to create a PDF on iPhone or iPad, the built virtual printer plays a vital role. Whenever you need to make a PDF from Apple Notes or Photos, follow the instructions above. 

How to Create a PDF on Android

If you need to make a blank PDF document on Android, it is essential to use a third-party PDF tool, such as Xodo PDF Reader, Foxit PDF, or Adobe Acrobat. If you just need to make a photo a PDF, the feature of "Save as PDF" can work well without any outside help. 

Step 1: Click on a PDF file in your local folder and open it;

Step 2: Hit the Options icon (three-dot icon) on the top right corner;

Step 3: In the drop-down menu, choose Share & export and then select Print;

Step 4: When the Save as PDF window jumps out, change the orientation, color, pages, paper size, or copies if necessary. Finally, click on the Save icon to export the PDF.

Step 5: Choose the destination folder or rename the PDF to finalize the PDF-creating process. 

Wrapping Up

PDF is a common file type that we incline to utilize in our daily lives. This article discusses how to create a PDF file in detail, including how to create a new blank PDF or create a new PDF from existing files. We hope this article will help you solve the problem of making an editable PDF with ease. Which methods are you into? Please feel free to leave your comments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I create a PDF from a Word document?

A: When you want to create a PDF from a Word file, no external application is needed. You can save a Word as a PDF in any version of Microsoft Word. Let's  take a look at how to make a Word file a PDF:

Step 1: Open a Word document in Word, and navigate to the File tab;

Step 2: Hit the Save as button;

Step 3: When the Save As window appears, select the PDF as the output format in the Save as type drop-down menu;

Step 4: Click Save to create a PDF from a Word document.

Q: How do I create a new PDF with Adobe Acrobat?