Methods to Create a PDF Document with Online and Offline Programs

Introduction:

When choosing a reliable file format during remote working or file transferring, users may think of PDF. Why? PDF has enhanced security, compactability, and stability. It has become a ubiquitous file format for both individuals and businesses. Do you know the most fundamental question: how do I create a PDF document? This post will include several useful PDF creators.

How to Create a PDF with Desktop Applications

SwifDoo PDF

SwifDoo PDF is a comprehensive desktop PDF program on Windows, which is able to create PDFs via scanners, files in other formats, and blank pages. On top of this, SwifDoo PDF can save different types of files into PDFs, such as images, MS Office files, and AutoCAD (more specifcially DWG).

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 on the top left corner;

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

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

There is another way to create an editable PDF document if you currently have a text or Word document. It involves converting these documents from other formats to PDFs. If you need to create PDFs from pictures stored in 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 SwifDoo PDF Converter will be automatically triggered, upload a local image or Word file to the workstation;

Step 3: Hit the Start button to make a new PDF from the original image or word document.

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Microsoft Print to PDF

Specifically, the following recommendation is for a built-in Windows 10 application instead of a professional PDF tool. Since Windows 10 has a built-in printer driver, users are then able to save commonly-seen documents as PDFs.

For those of you using Windows 10 on your PC, you’re in luck. To create an editable PDF in Windows 10, you don’t need an external PDF software. Microsoft PDF printer can help you create a PDF from images, text files and MS Office documents. Here’s how to utilize Microsoft PDF printer:

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 choose where to export this 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

Preview

Like Microsoft Print to PDF, macOS users have their natural Preview to create a PDF on Mac for free. It works through Save as PDF to convert an image or MS Office file into 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: Tick Save as PDF in the PDF pop-up menu, and then press the Print button.

Same problem, Preview is more of a PDF converter than a creator. If you’re looking to create PDFs in batches or a blank PDF, then Preview won’t meet your expectations. Some developers have noticed the need and have released professional PDF programs on macOS, including Adobe Acrobat, PDFelement and 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 from 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’s feature. Here, we don’t give unnecessary details since Preview is a good and reliable built-in file converter on Mac.

How to Create a PDF Online

iLovePDF

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

Step 1: Type the URL on the search bar;

Step 2: Click CONVERT PDF to choose how to create a PDF;

Step 3: Import an image file or MS Office file into the workplace from Google Drive, Dropbox, or local folder.

How to Create a PDF on Mobile Devices

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

How to Create a PDF on iPhone and iPad

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 iPhone or iPad?

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

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

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

Step 4: Choose Save to Files to export this PDF.

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 and Adobe Acrobat. Otherwise, the feature of Save as PDF can work well without any application.

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

Step 2: Hit the Options icon (three-dot icon) on 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 useful file format and is frequently used in our daily life. This post explains in detail how to create a PDF, including a new blank PDF and a converted PDF. We hope it will help you improve your productivity. Which methods are you into? Please feel free to leave your comments.