by Rainier Wong

Created on: August 24, 2008

Converting a word document into PDF is an esay task, and there are more than one way to do it. The first way is to use PDF995, a free software from Software995 you can download from pdf995.com. Once, you have installed it you can use it to create PDF files. To use PDF995, run the print command on your word processing software to get the print dialog window. The usual shortcut key to do so is Ctrl followed by the P. Choose PDF995 as your printer, and click on print. PDF995 will create a PDF file for you.

In short:
1. Hit Ctrl+P (i.e. hold down the Ctrl key and then hit the P key).
2. Choose PDF 995 as your printer.
3. Click on Print.

The only downside with this software is that you will have to bear with the pop-ups containing advertisements of other Software995 products that helps keep PDF995 free. I enjoy the results produced by PDF995, and the speed it takes to create a PDF file so much that the popups does not really bother me. Alternatively, you can pay for the software for less than ten bucks to have pop-ups removed.

If you are using OpenOffice.org 2.0, you can also easily convert your file to the PDF format. All you have to do is to click on the "Export Directly as PDF" icon which is on the left of the printer icon or select the "file" option from the menu bar and then, the "Export as PDF" option to get the Export dialog box. On the box, key in the name you wish to give to your PDF file. Once you have done that, click on the "Save" button to create your PDF file.

In short:
1. Load OpenOffice.org 2.0 if you have not done so.
2. Load your .doc file or create one.
3. Click on the PDF icon.
4. Enter a name for your PDF file.
5. Click on "Save".

If you have the latest Acrobat Reader, you can also convert your document to a PDF file. To do so, select "File" from the menu bar, and then the "Create Adobe PDF using Acrobat.com" option. A flash screen will appear. On the flash screen, click on the create PDF file icon. You will be asked to sign in with your the email address you used to sign up, and your Adobe password. Once you have successfully sign in, you will be shown an interface. On the interface, load the file you wish to convert to PDF from your PC. Click on the Create PDF button. This process is much slower than using PDF995.

In short:
1. Select "Create Adobe PDF using Acrobat.com" sub-option from "File" option. (File->"Create Adobe PDF using Acrobat.com")
2. Sign in with your Adobe email and password.
3. Wait for flash screen to appear.
4. Upload your .doc file on the flash screen.
5. Click on "Create PDF".

I hope you will find this helpful in getting your documents converted to PDF files. Have a great time converting.

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