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You can make a PDF from a Word document using Word’s built-in export or save options. In Word for the web, go to File > Export, choose whether to include comments, and download the PDF. Desktop and Mac versions also provide PDF save or export options. Keep the original Word file if you may need to edit it later.
Which free conversion route should you use?
Use the version of Word you can already access: Word for the web if you are working in a browser, desktop Word if the document is open on your computer, or Word for Mac on macOS. Microsoft’s support instructions describe these conversion steps, but do not establish that every reader can access Word for the web free of charge.
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| Route | Best fit | Comments choice |
|---|---|---|
| Word for the web | The document is open in a browser and you want to download a PDF. | You can download the PDF with or without comments, as described by Microsoft Support. |
| Word desktop | You have the document open in the desktop application. | The cited Microsoft instructions describe PDF save and export options; they do not state a comments choice for this route. See Microsoft Support. |
| Word for Mac | You are using Word on a Mac and want to save or export a PDF. | The cited Mac instructions do not state a comments choice. See Microsoft Support. |
Convert a Word document to PDF in Word for the web
- Open the document in Word for the web.
- Select File > Export.
- Choose Download as PDF to leave comments out, or Download as PDF with comments if they should appear in the PDF.
- Select Download in the confirmation dialog. Find the file in your browser’s download location.
Before sharing, choose the comments option deliberately: review notes may not belong in a reader-facing or final copy. Microsoft lists both options in its Word for the web PDF export instructions.
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Save or export a PDF in desktop Word
The menu labels vary by Word version. Microsoft documents an export route through Export > Create PDF/XPS Document > Create PDF/XPS. It also documents choosing PDF from the file-type list in Save As. See Microsoft’s PDF instructions.
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After saving, open the PDF and check that it is the intended document. Save it under a different filename or location if you want to preserve the editable Word copy.
Convert a Word document to PDF on a Mac
- In Word for Mac, select File > Save As.
- Enter a filename.
- Choose PDF under File Format.
- Select Export.
If you still need the editable document, use a different name for the PDF rather than replacing the Word file. These steps follow Microsoft’s Mac instructions.
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Use Print to create a PDF preview in Word for the web
If you are already working in the print menu, Microsoft describes a PDF preview workflow through File > Print in Word for the web. This route is an alternative to exporting directly; Microsoft says the preview preserves the document’s layout and formatting in this workflow. See Microsoft’s PDF guidance.
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A PDF is useful for sharing a fixed-layout copy, but retain the Word document separately if you expect to revise the text. Microsoft’s Mac instructions recommend using a different PDF name when you want to keep the Word copy.
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If your source document is in the older .doc or .dot format, note that Microsoft says Word for the web cannot save in those legacy formats. Its browser-versus-desktop Word guide describes that limitation. The cited support material does not provide a specific conversion workflow for every legacy-file case.
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