We look at a few ways in which you can create a PDF without spending a small fortune
The PDF (Portable Document Format) specification has been around since 1993 and has remained the global standard for sharing documents between platforms ever since.
These days we take it for granted, in spite of just how versatile and ingrained into the history of the internet it really is. And with the ability to view a PDF from within any operating system, it can be easy to overlook its importance in the formation of the backbone of the digital age.
However, while we can all read or view a PDF, how many users actually know how to create one? Naturally, the likes of Adobe Acrobat DC (and its predecessors) offer a far more feature rich experience, but Acrobat DC does cost the best part of £450. For the average home user who simply needs to create a quick PDF to send off to their boss, client or whatever, that’s a princely sum to pay. So what alternatives does the home user have at their disposal?
As it happens, there are a number of inventive ways in which you can create a PDF without having to resort to the purchasing of expensive software. You can either opt for the installed route (in other words, using an installed program on your PC, phone or tablet) or you can instead use one of the many online resources available.
Microsoft Office
If you own a version of Office, anything from Office 2007 and beyond, then you can include the option to save a document as a PDF with the 2007 Microsoft Office add-in.
The add-in can be found at goo.gl/p4NUIz and adds export and save-to-PDF options to all the 2007 range of Office programs. Of course, later versions of Office have this built-in.
LibreOffice, Open Office, Etc.
If you’re one of the many millions of users who use a different office suite, such as LibreOffice, then you’re in luck. By navigating to File > Export as PDF, you can convert the current document to a PDF without the hassle of having to install anything extra. The same goes for OpenOffice and other open-source office suites. In the case of OpenOffice, there’s an icon to quickly export the document to PDF, as well as the route outlined previously.
PDFCreator
PDFCreator from PDFForge is a solid and easy to use PDF creation program. It has countless features, some of which are the sort you’d normally find in professional programs, and it’s free to download and use.
It’s really a converter more than a dedicated creator of PDFs, but essentially, from the point of view of the home user, it can create a PDF from the work you’ve already written. For more information, head on over to the PDFCreator home page at goo.gl/FMqJPx.
CutePDF
CutePDF, from Acro Software, is one of the classic free programs that has been around for ages. It’s stable, comes in several individual solutions and costs very little for the professional version.
Again, from the point of view of the home user, CutePDF Writer may be the best option, as it’s free, easy to use and supports Windows 10.
For more info and to get hold of the relevant downloads, visit goo.gl/RQV9ap.
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor
Xodo is an all-in-one PDF viewer and editor available for Android devices. There are tons of features, and you can create a blank PDF to directly write to and take notes with, as well as use your camera to place images on the PDF.
It’s an excellent app and one to consider if you need a PDF while on the go. You can check out its features from the Play store at goo.gl/gwWFvd.
Maker For PDF
Maker for PDF isn’t quite as feature laden as Xodo, but it serves the purpose for creating PDFs, and it’s a lightweight app for more modestly specified devices.
If you’re in need of something without the bells and whistles, then Maker for PDF may be worth looking into. You can find it at goo.gl/pu4Cyz.
OfficeSuite Pro + PDF
If you’re looking for a more complete PDF and document creation solution for Android, then for £11.66, OfficeSuite Pro + PDF will tick all the right boxes.
It’s one of the most popular and acclaimed office and PDF apps in the Play store, and its features are far too numerous to list here. Suffice to say, it pretty much does everything you could ask for from an office suite.
If you’re interested, then take a look at goo.gl/KnS4sr.
Free PDF Converter
Free PDF Converter, found at freepdfconvert.com, allows you to upload a current document or a URL and have the content of it converted to a PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF or PDF Archive (PDFA).
The service is free, but after the first conversion you’ll have to wait half an hour before you can run the process again, and you’re limited to ten files per month. However, if you’re willing to, you can pay an amount per month (usually $9 ) or a lifetime fee of $99 for a membership that’ll give you unrestricted access to the service.
We’ve never used the member section, so we can’t comment on how well the paid-for service works.
PDF Online
PDF Online (goo.gl/JMtPXI) works in much the same way as Free PDF Converter. It’ll allow you to upload an already existing file, be that a Word doc, Excel, PowerPoint and so on and convert it to a PDF for free.
It’s a handy service, and we’ve never had any trouble with the PDFs we’ve created in the past; plus it’s remarkably quick too.
Soda PDF
Soda PDF (goo.gl/SvkM8o) offers the user the ability to open, create, convert, edit, annotate and secure a PDF.
It’s easy to use and you can even email the finished result to your work or personal account. There’s also a browser extension add-on, so you can create and manipulate PDF documents from your browser without having to visit the site.
From Within Chrome
While there are countless PDF conversion tools available for Firefox, Chrome and other browsers, a handy hack we’ve used in the past is to open Chrome and enter the following into the address bar:
data:text/html, <html contenteditable>
The page should go blank and you’ll be able to type in the main browser window – or copy from another document – after you’ve clicked in the blank space.
When you’re done, click the three horizontal bars in the upper right of the browser and select Print from the menu.
Within the print options, you should have a section labelled ‘Destination’. If you click on the Change button below, you can select ‘Save as PDF’ from the list. When you’re ready, click on Save and name your newly created PDF.
Happy PDF-ing
There are many other options, free programs and online resources available to create a PDF or convert an already existing document to one. We can’t list them all here, of course, but we think this selection will keep you happy for a while, at least.
Security
While the online services do a sterling job, there is a concern over security. Most of the online services, especially the ones we’ve listed here, are conscientious regarding the security of the documents that they process, and they make every effort to ensure your confidentiality.
Unfortunately, though, there are some services that won’t care too much. If you’re considering converting or creating a confidential PDF using an online service, make sure you read the terms and conditions from the site. If you’re unsure about the security of the document and the site, then you’re probably best off using the installed program route and keeping everything in-house.