23 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
23 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Save $$ on PDF creators! Use Google Docs to create free PDF files - A "How To"

by jrod014
20 replies
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
#create #creators #docs #files #free #google #how to #pdf #save
  • Profile picture of the author Mattk
    openoffice.org is also free. It's a very good alternative to Microsoft Office.

    Just thought I'd add it to the list.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1681989].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    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
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682324].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    CIB creates a printer option, you can print any file into a pdf using the CIB printer including web pages etc.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682336].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Hmmm.
    Licensing
    CIB pdf brewer is free for noncommercial use. For commercial use [...] you must purchase a license for the professional version.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682538].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DogScout
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      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.)
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1683832].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author craigbrown
        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.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1683883].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    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.
    Signature
    >>> Features Jason Fladlien, John S. Rhodes, Justin Brooke, Sean I. Mitchell, Reed Floren and Brad Gosse! <<<
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682553].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 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.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682712].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jrod014
      Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

      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.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682726].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
        Originally Posted by jrod014 View Post

        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
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682805].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keith Choy
    Just to share that for those on MS Word 2007, this saving to PDF format is also available already.

    - Keith Choy
    Signature
    WealthMountains - One Step At A Time To Your Wealth
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682739].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    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
    Signature

    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682745].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author affilorama-portal
    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.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682751].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
    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
    Signature
    **How I FLIPPED $80 into $690 Pure Profit With ONE EASY Method...2 to 3x Per Week...Only 30 Minutes Per Day (and how YOU can COPY my RESULTS, too!) **CLICK HERE FOR VERIFIED VIDEO PROOF**
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682797].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bozz723
    You could also just use the free warrior pdf creator in the money making section.


    Cheers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1682910].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BenBrandes
      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
      Signature

      FusionHQ Affiliate Manager

      FusionHQ - Drag and Drop Marketing Platform For Non-Techies.
      Everything you need in one, easy to use location.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1683286].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author fred67
        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 :-(
        Signature
        Free E-book Library/Business Promotion Resources
        http://fred67.com/library
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1683324].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    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?
    Signature
    >>> Features Jason Fladlien, John S. Rhodes, Justin Brooke, Sean I. Mitchell, Reed Floren and Brad Gosse! <<<
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1683407].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author stevendbrady
    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
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1683792].message }}

Trending Topics