Why turn a Word document into a PDF?
A Word document can look different on someone else's computer. If they don't have the same fonts, or open it in a different version of Word, Google Docs or Pages, lines can wrap differently, pictures can move and a two-page CV can spill onto a third. A PDF fixes the layout in place, so it looks the same everywhere and prints exactly as you intended.
PDFs are also harder to change by accident, open on almost any device without Word, and are what most job sites, councils, schools and online forms ask for when you upload a document.
How to convert Word to PDF with SwapDoc
Save your document. Make sure your latest changes are saved in Word, then close it.
Drop it in the box above.
Drag the .docx or .doc file onto the box, or click it to pick
the file.
Click Convert to PDF. Most documents take a few seconds. The PDF downloads automatically with the same name as your original.
Check it before sending. Open the PDF and scroll through. Check that page breaks, tables and any special fonts look right.
Tips for a perfect PDF
Use common fonts
The conversion can only use fonts it has installed. Standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Times New Roman and Georgia convert reliably. If you've used an unusual or downloaded font, it may be replaced with a similar one. If the exact font matters, see our guide to fixing formatting after converting.
Accept or remove tracked changes and comments
If your document still has tracked changes or comments, decide whether you want them in the PDF. In Word, go to Review, then accept or reject changes and delete comments before converting.
Use real headings
Headings made with Word's Heading styles (rather than just bold, larger text) make the document easier to read with a screen reader and easier to navigate.
Keep files under 25 MB
Large photos are the usual reason a document is big. In Word, select a picture, then Picture Format → Compress Pictures to shrink them before converting.
Word to PDF questions
- Will my PDF look exactly like my Word document?
- In most cases, yes. Text, images, tables, headers and footers are kept. The main cause of differences is a font that isn't available on our server, which is then swapped for a similar one. Using common fonts avoids this.
- Can I convert an old .doc file?
- Yes. Both
.docx(Word 2007 and later) and the older.docformat (Word 97 to 2003) are supported. Not sure which you have? Read DOC vs DOCX. - Do links still work in the PDF?
- Yes. Hyperlinks in your Word document stay clickable in the PDF.
- Is a watermark added?
- No. SwapDoc never adds watermarks, logos or extra pages.
- Can I do this without uploading my file?
- Yes. If you have Word, you can save as PDF on your own computer. Our guide How to convert Word to PDF shows how, along with other free options.
Need the opposite?
Got a PDF you need to edit? Use the PDF to Word converter
to get an editable .docx back.