Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files

jrod014 · 01-28-2010, 08:16 PM

Hey everyone,

Now I'm sure a lot of you already know this but I wanted to inform everyone anyway. If you like me, you've been using some sort of PDF software to create your files. Just recently I stopped using Adobe to create my PDF files (too expensive).

So here is a neat trick to create free PDF files using Google Docs. Especially if you have a tight budget.

If you have a gmail account, you have a PDF creator.

Step 1 - create or login to your google account

Step 2 - Go to google Docs

Step 3 - Click "create new" and select "document"

Step 4 - paste your text and images, making sure your images are aligned and straight

Step 5 - Then click "file" and select "download as" then select "PDF"

Step 6 - Download to your computer and set security settings for your file and your done!

Like I said, I know many might already know this and I'm sure there are many other programs out ther but hopefully some new IM'ers might be able to put this to use.

Enjoy!

Jerry

Mattk · 01-28-2010, 08:19 PM

openoffice.org is also free. It's a very good alternative to Microsoft Office.

Just thought I'd add it to the list.

DogScout · 01-28-2010, 09:57 PM

not all pdf creators are created equal. file sizes for the same content can vary as much as 500% depending on the creator. Other than Adobe, CIB brewer makes the next smallest ones I have seen. Open office makes huge ones. Dunno about Google's.

CIB is freeware

Traffic-Bug · 01-28-2010, 09:57 PM

Thanks for this wonderful tip! I have been using PDF converter software for converting Word files to PDF files. Now it seems the process just got easier as it can be done for free using Google Docs!

DogScout · 01-28-2010, 09:59 PM

CIB creates a printer option, you can print any file into a pdf using the CIB printer including web pages etc.

Istvan Horvath · 01-28-2010, 11:02 PM

Hmmm.
Licensing

Quote:

CIB pdf brewer is free for noncommercial use. For commercial use [...] you must purchase a license for the professional version.

paulie888 · 01-28-2010, 11:06 PM

I have found the latest version of openoffice to render a reasonably accurate PDF of your .doc file (this includes clickable hypertext links as well), just make sure you are upgraded to the most current version.

Zeus66 · 01-28-2010, 11:52 PM

I have to go with OpenOffice too. Click one button and you get a perfectly rendered PDF super fast. Totally free. No need to muddy these waters with anything else, really.

jrod014 · 01-28-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus66

I have to go with OpenOffice too. Click one button and you get a perfectly rendered PDF super fast. Totally free. No need to muddy these waters with anything else, really.

I agree. This was just another option for those who didnt want to download any additional software.

Keith Choy · 01-29-2010, 12:01 AM

Just to share that for those on MS Word 2007, this saving to PDF format is also available already.

- Keith Choy

WD Mino · 01-29-2010, 12:05 AM

Warrior pdf is also free

I use it I like it open office rocks makes it so easy after your done with your writing.
-WD

affilorama-portal · 01-29-2010, 12:09 AM

Hi All,

I am testing Microsoft Office 2010 Beta and it allows me the option to save my file in pdf format. I really love the 2010, too. Even though it's still beta, I have not had any problems with it.

WhoIsBenjamin · 01-29-2010, 12:27 AM

Great thread.

I can't remember the last time I paid to get a PDF done...
maybe when it was new at the time.

Anyways, Openoffice does the trick every time, no fail.
Just another option to Google Docs

Zeus66 · 01-29-2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrod014

I agree. This was just another option for those who didnt want to download any additional software.

Absolutely. Great post! Thanks for letting everyone know.

John

bozz723 · 01-29-2010, 12:58 AM

You could also just use the free warrior pdf creator in the money making section.

Cheers

BenBrandes · 01-29-2010, 03:31 AM

Awesome post and comments. I use Adobe but always have a hard time answering when people ask me how to create a pdf on a budget.

The problem I had years ago was the software around either branded the ebook with their logo or only let me create a pdf with the first few pages.

Openoffice and Google Docs is a great free alternative to Adobe. Thanks for the info

fred67 · 01-29-2010, 03:47 AM

When I first got a Gmail account I thought the PDF exporter was great. But very often the "WYSIWYG" doesn't bear out in the finished product, with large spacing, no spacing, graphic alignment all over the place etc. (And the 'saving' can almost freeze your computer at times).

Open Office is just Soooo clean and tidy, why would anyone not love it??
(Except for the download file size of course :-(

paulie888 · 01-29-2010, 04:16 AM

I've seen Open Office evolve over the years, and I must say that it has become a nice and well-rounded office suite that pretty much meets the needs of almost everyone. Unless you're needing some esoteric or specialized functions that only MS Office provides, why pay for it and be subjected to constantly changing user interfaces and inconsistent features from version to version?

stevendbrady · 01-29-2010, 07:32 AM

While that would be nice for anyone that uses Google Docs, it seems like a lot of work for anyone just looking to make a PDF from a file saved to their local machine.

I'm in agreement over OpenOffice.org being a very good option.

Also, PDF Creator is an open source software solution that will add a printer and make a PDF from anything printed to it. It's a good solution, just like I'm sure many of the others listed are.

PDFCreator | Get PDFCreator at SourceForge.net

DogScout · 01-29-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath

Hmmm.
Licensing

Still worth paying for the file size difference between that and open office. Not all customers have broadband. (I want 'wideband'! I want it NOW! Lol.)

craigbrown · 01-29-2010, 08:08 AM

I embed a lot of video and flash content into PDF e-books so I tend to use Acrobat Pro Extended, but it did cost me an arm and a leg for the software.

I noticed tonight after uploading a test document to Scribd in .doc format that I had the option of downloading it as a PDF. Might be another free option for folks to look at for basic PDFing.

01-28-2010, 08:16 PM	#1
jrod014 RankHighSolutions.com War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles , USA. Posts: 876 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 51 Thanked 237 Times in 79 Posts Social Networking	Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Hey everyone, Now I'm sure a lot of you already know this but I wanted to inform everyone anyway. If you like me, you've been using some sort of PDF software to create your files. Just recently I stopped using Adobe to create my PDF files (too expensive). So here is a neat trick to create free PDF files using Google Docs. Especially if you have a tight budget. If you have a gmail account, you have a PDF creator. Step 1 - create or login to your google account Step 2 - Go to google Docs Step 3 - Click "create new" and select "document" Step 4 - paste your text and images, making sure your images are aligned and straight Step 5 - Then click "file" and select "download as" then select "PDF" Step 6 - Download to your computer and set security settings for your file and your done! Like I said, I know many might already know this and I'm sure there are many other programs out ther but hopefully some new IM'ers might be able to put this to use. Enjoy! Jerry
	Affiliate Marketers - Online Mobile App Builder, Mobile Apps Are HOT! 20% recurring commissions! Check us out! SEO Analysis Grader, Grade Any Webpage With This Killer 1 Click WordPress Plugin!

01-28-2010, 08:19 PM	#2
Mattk HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Red Wing, Minnesota Posts: 218 Thanks: 178 Thanked 26 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" openoffice.org is also free. It's a very good alternative to Microsoft Office. Just thought I'd add it to the list.

01-28-2010, 09:57 PM	#3
DogScout Self Unemployed War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 2,343 Thanks: 697 Thanked 628 Times in 373 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" not all pdf creators are created equal. file sizes for the same content can vary as much as 500% depending on the creator. Other than Adobe, CIB brewer makes the next smallest ones I have seen. Open office makes huge ones. Dunno about Google's. CIB is freeware
	Otis's Blog (Own The Internet, Silly) Breast Cancer Support - Breast Cancer Information Paint Shop Tubes - Free images - Free Graphics - Free Photos - 3D - Poser Tubes - Scrap Kits

01-28-2010, 09:57 PM	#4
Traffic-Bug Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 3 Thanked 69 Times in 61 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Thanks for this wonderful tip! I have been using PDF converter software for converting Word files to PDF files. Now it seems the process just got easier as it can be done for free using Google Docs!
	Automated Social Bookmarker, Directory Submitter, Search Engine Submitter & RSS Machine - All web based- Unbeatable price! Jump in now!

01-28-2010, 09:59 PM	#5
DogScout Self Unemployed War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 2,343 Thanks: 697 Thanked 628 Times in 373 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" CIB creates a printer option, you can print any file into a pdf using the CIB printer including web pages etc.
	Otis's Blog (Own The Internet, Silly) Breast Cancer Support - Breast Cancer Information Paint Shop Tubes - Free images - Free Graphics - Free Photos - 3D - Poser Tubes - Scrap Kits

01-28-2010, 11:06 PM	#7
paulie888 Redoubtable Implementer War Room Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 6,072 Thanks: 915 Thanked 992 Times in 838 Posts Contact Info	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" I have found the latest version of openoffice to render a reasonably accurate PDF of your .doc file (this includes clickable hypertext links as well), just make sure you are upgraded to the most current version.
	[WSO] Secrets To Making $100/Day In 21 Days Or Less - Starting From Scratch! >>> Secrets From Jason Fladlien, Maria Gudelis, John S. Rhodes, Justin Brooke, Sean I. Mitchell, Reed Floren and Brad Gosse! <<<

01-28-2010, 11:52 PM	#8
Zeus66 John Schwartz War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Near Dallas, TX, USA Posts: 3,691 Thanks: 1,620 Thanked 3,245 Times in 1,140 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" I have to go with OpenOffice too. Click one button and you get a perfectly rendered PDF super fast. Totally free. No need to muddy these waters with anything else, really.
	NEW - Partner Coaching - Guaranteed Passive Income Weekly Videos On Basic IM Skills

01-29-2010, 12:01 AM	#10
Keith Choy HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 385 Thanks: 18 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Just to share that for those on MS Word 2007, this saving to PDF format is also available already. - Keith Choy
	MyViralBuzz Free Traffic System -- ONLY 15 MINUTES OF WORK TO START Get Free Bonus Super Affiliate Traffic Call here See this POWERFUL Instant Forex Profits Secret that could earn you $183,000 in JUST 2 months!

01-29-2010, 12:05 AM	#11
WD Mino Expert Product Creator War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Home Posts: 1,786 Blog Entries: 7 Thanks: 976 Thanked 624 Times in 406 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Warrior pdf is also free I use it I like it open office rocks makes it so easy after your done with your writing. -WD
	\|KimW Needs YOUR Help To Survive\| "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7" You are just wasting time focusing on the wrong direction of the market and you will lose out if you don't stop click here now[/URL]

01-29-2010, 12:09 AM	#12
affilorama-portal HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 370 Thanks: 1 Thanked 58 Times in 44 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Hi All, I am testing Microsoft Office 2010 Beta and it allows me the option to save my file in pdf format. I really love the 2010, too. Even though it's still beta, I have not had any problems with it.
	Affilorama Group Limited Affiliate Marketing by Affilorama. Get Your AffiloJetpack Now! Traffic Travis Version 4 out now!

01-29-2010, 12:27 AM	#13
WhoIsBenjamin Mr.Casanova War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 747 Thanks: 276 Thanked 285 Times in 136 Posts Contact Info	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Great thread. I can't remember the last time I paid to get a PDF done... maybe when it was new at the time. Anyways, Openoffice does the trick every time, no fail. Just another option to Google Docs

01-29-2010, 12:58 AM	#15
bozz723 Advanced Warrior Join Date: May 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 544 Thanks: 6 Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" You could also just use the free warrior pdf creator in the money making section. Cheers
	Coaching - $10k Per Month - BH CPA - Combined With WH CPA = Unstoppable. Serious Inquiries Only - FIVE New Spots After Excessive Requests So Hurry.

01-29-2010, 03:31 AM	#16
BenBrandes HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 177 Thanks: 9 Thanked 131 Times in 17 Posts Contact Info	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" Awesome post and comments. I use Adobe but always have a hard time answering when people ask me how to create a pdf on a budget. The problem I had years ago was the software around either branded the ebook with their logo or only let me create a pdf with the first few pages. Openoffice and Google Docs is a great free alternative to Adobe. Thanks for the info

01-29-2010, 03:47 AM	#17
fred67 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: , , United Kingdom. Posts: 243 Thanks: 16 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" When I first got a Gmail account I thought the PDF exporter was great. But very often the "WYSIWYG" doesn't bear out in the finished product, with large spacing, no spacing, graphic alignment all over the place etc. (And the 'saving' can almost freeze your computer at times). Open Office is just Soooo clean and tidy, why would anyone not love it?? (Except for the download file size of course :-(
	Local Business Pages WorldWide?? Just a thought, but it actually Works! http://localbusinesspages.localbusinessbooster.info/

01-29-2010, 04:16 AM	#18
paulie888 Redoubtable Implementer War Room Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 6,072 Thanks: 915 Thanked 992 Times in 838 Posts Contact Info	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" I've seen Open Office evolve over the years, and I must say that it has become a nice and well-rounded office suite that pretty much meets the needs of almost everyone. Unless you're needing some esoteric or specialized functions that only MS Office provides, why pay for it and be subjected to constantly changing user interfaces and inconsistent features from version to version?
	[WSO] Secrets To Making $100/Day In 21 Days Or Less - Starting From Scratch! >>> Secrets From Jason Fladlien, Maria Gudelis, John S. Rhodes, Justin Brooke, Sean I. Mitchell, Reed Floren and Brad Gosse! <<<

01-29-2010, 07:32 AM	#19
stevendbrady Warrior-in-Training Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 102 Thanks: 22 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts Social Networking	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" While that would be nice for anyone that uses Google Docs, it seems like a lot of work for anyone just looking to make a PDF from a file saved to their local machine. I'm in agreement over OpenOffice.org being a very good option. Also, PDF Creator is an open source software solution that will add a printer and make a PDF from anything printed to it. It's a good solution, just like I'm sure many of the others listed are. PDFCreator \| Get PDFCreator at SourceForge.net

01-29-2010, 08:08 AM	#21
craigbrown Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 70 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To" I embed a lot of video and flash content into PDF e-books so I tend to use Acrobat Pro Extended, but it did cost me an arm and a leg for the software. I noticed tonight after uploading a test document to Scribd in .doc format that I had the option of downloading it as a PDF. Might be another free option for folks to look at for basic PDFing.