Creating PDFs in Windows

Creating PDFs in Windows is all about options. There are hundreds of programs and add-ons available that will help you get whatever documents you work with into the PDF format. You can find a solution that is as simple or as exacting as you need. Today we look at 4 of the most common and straightforward solutions.

We’ve previously written about how the PDF is  the best format for printing, and we’ve also covered creating PDFs for Mac users, but today we turn our attention to Windows. Here is a brief selection of some of the most common and simple ways to make a PDF on your Windows computer.

Windows 10 Built in PDF printer

Until recently if you wanted to print a PDF in Windows you had to install a third-party application. Thankfully this has finally changed with the advent of Windows 10. Now you can create a PDF in any program without installing any additional software.

How easy is this process? Within the application you are using simply go to File -> Print and then select “Microsoft Print to PDF.” You will be prompted t choose a location to save the new file. That’s it, you’re done, and you have a complete PDF ready to send.

Use a program’s built in PDF export function

If you have yet to upgrade to Windows 10 you won’t have the built-in Microsoft PDF printer. But don’t worry, many programs that you already have installed on your computer include their own options for creating PDFs in Windows computers.

In programs like Microsoft Office or LibreOffice you can simply go to File -> Export and select PDF. This function changes from version to version, but a quick look through these menus and you will find what you are looking for. Also, many online office suites such as Google Sheets also includes a PDF printer. This you can access by selecting Print -> Change -> Save as PDF.

Many other programs include this functionality as well. If there is a program you use regularly that you need to make PDFs from, take a look for either an “Export to PDF” or “Print to PDF” option. If you don’t see them listed, then you may need to install a PDF printer.

Install a PDF Printer

There are many reasons you may want to install a PDF printer on your computer. Maybe you don’t have Windows 10 yet, or you have a program that doesn’t have its own PDF export function, or most importantly you need more control and functionality.

For most people, a simple PDF printer will do just fine. There are many many options available online. One that is rather simple and straightforward is the popular CutePDF Writer. This will give you some basic options for creating PDFs, and they also have a Professional version available that offers even more. Of course it doesn’t do everything, so it is a good idea to really investigate all of your options.

Of course, since we work with high end printing files, and often complicated PDFs, we have to mention Adobe Acrobat. Undeniably, Acrobat Pro is the best program for working with PDFs and its included PDF printers come with a ton of bells and whistles. It’s neither free nor inexpensive, but for making PDFs in Windows to be printed it is definitely worth its price.

Of course this is just a brief look at a few common options. From converter applications you can install on your computer to websites that will convert a file for you, we recognize that the available options for creating PDFs in Windows are all but endless. Take your time, work with your print provider, and find the option that bests suits your needs. If you find something good, let us know in the comments below.