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Converting documents to PDF

by Harvey Segal
22 replies
I need to give simple instructions (to
non-technical people) on how to convert
a document (either a text file or a doc file)
into a PDF.

I believe some of the later versions
of Word have a conversion option ?

Personally I use Open Office which has an
export feature - so that could be a way.

Can you suggest any other simple methods ?

Thanks
#converting #documents #pdf
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    Hi Harvey,

    Here is a Free converter.
    I've used it in the past and it worked well.

    It's easy to use so that should make it easy to explain it.

    Zilla TXT To PDF Converter - FREEWARE

    Oh, and here are a few more options some are online converters and others are
    software downloads.

    Google


    Hope that Helps,
    Have a Great Day!
    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author YonghoShin
    I struggled with this for MONTHS! Here's two free solutions, choose the one that best helps you:

    Easiest offline method: download PrimoPDF, which is a program that tricks Microsoft Word into thinking you are printing your word document to a printer, when it actually just converts the file to a PDF. Fast, useful.

    Easiest online method: import the document to Google Docs, export as PDF.
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  • Profile picture of the author Backlinksboy
    I use Zamzar - Free online file conversion to convert doc to pdf
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  • Profile picture of the author renukoot
    primo pdf is the best available program till now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ricky Allen
    Hi Harvey

    For all my latest ebooks I used Open Office which I find easy to use with the added bonus you can convert your text to html so I can write my ebook and convert easily to PDF and at the same time write my sales page and convert it to html.

    Ricky "the ebook generator" Allen
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Harvey (and anybody else with this issue)...

    I just made a quick 1 minute video that shows you how to do this in Word.


    http://www.prohotlist.com/2011-08-23_1101.mp4

    All the best,
    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Harvey.Segal View Post

    Personally I use Open Office which has an
    export feature - so that could be a way.
    Since that's available as a free download, it might be a particularly suitable one for your purpose in "teaching newbies" because nobody's really excluded by it? (In contrast to "Word", for example).

    PrimoPDF is adequate, though the free version has its limitations. And, as observed above, there are others.
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  • Profile picture of the author origin
    I use bullzip.com/products/pdf/info.php daily. Just install as a printer driver and print to pdf.
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    • Profile picture of the author CMartin
      Upload the text or doc file into Google Docs and then export/save it as a PDF.

      Some things might not work (like TOCs with links) but it's good enough for simple docs.

      Carlos
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      • Profile picture of the author highrank
        A lot of the free converters are usualyl lacking some important features:

        - Security to stop content being copied or edited
        - Including hyperlinks in the PDF (big problem for me using PrimoPDF)

        My solution:

        1) Get the official demo of Adobe Acrobat X: http://www.adobe.com/go/tryacrobatpro/

        2) Create your document in MS Word or similar.

        3) Open Adobe Acrobat X and hit the 'Convert to PDF' button.

        Hope that helps
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      • Profile picture of the author WriterWahm
        That's exactly what I do too and I just created a free report using that.

        Originally Posted by CMartin View Post

        Upload the text or doc file into Google Docs and then export/save it as a PDF.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Originally Posted by Chris Kent View Post

    OpenOffice is the best because it is free and retains the hyperlinks.

    Last time I tried Primo pdf, it did not preserve hyperlinks....has something changed now?

    Word does a nice job, but not everyone has Word. I personally wouldn't issue instructions to use a paid program.
    Unless they already HAVE that paid program. A lot of people have Word, even non-technical people. Also, IF these people already have Word and are classified as "non-technical", then the process of downloading and installing anything else, even if it's free, may prove to be a daunting task.

    I used to use OpenOffice exclusively, and I do like the "Export to PDF" feature better than Word's option. Now that I have Word again, I like it better for a lot of things, but still use OpenOffice on a regular basis.

    Anyway, you make some good points, Chris. I guess it depends if Harvey is trying to show one person, and what that person already has, or if it's multiple people.

    The main message of this thread seems to be "there are plenty of options, but they all have their pros and cons".

    All the best,
    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Crystal_Jobs
    Hi Harvey.

    This Word 2007 add-in is easy to use for anybody. Once it is downloaded, they only have to 'Save as' PDF - No hassle, simple and easy.

    Originally Posted by Richard Odell View Post

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  • Profile picture of the author Liam Swift
    Originally Posted by Harvey.Segal View Post

    I need to give simple instructions (to
    non-technical people) on how to convert
    a document (either a text file or a doc file)
    into a PDF.

    I believe some of the later versions
    of Word have a conversion option ?

    Personally I use Open Office which has an
    export feature - so that could be a way.

    Can you suggest any other simple methods ?

    Thanks
    I've never used open office, but if it has an export to PDF feature, then why not use that? Surely that would be the easiest way. Have you had problems with it in the past?
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    • Profile picture of the author Jermaine Tabor
      Harvey,

      Look at this simple solution I use to create pdfs right from my Igoogle home page in seconds.



      Also from my toolbar I can do the same thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    Originally Posted by Richard Odell View Post


    Thank you. I was just searching this term. --- Love your avatar, but I'm not sure how many more times I can watch that movie!
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  • Profile picture of the author VeronicaD
    My two suggestions are either OpenOffice (free) or Google Docs. Both will let you save your files as PDF and keep your links in tact.
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    Contact me if you need to!

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    • Profile picture of the author Harvey Segal
      Thank you to everyone for all your replies.

      My recommendation in summary will probably be:

      1. For those without Word use Open Office

      2. For those with Word

      a) Word 2010 has a save as PDF option

      b) Word 2007 has an addon

      c) Otherwise
      - try an online converter such as Zamzar
      - try Google Docs
      - again use Open Office
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  • Profile picture of the author pearlydean
    Open Office for me Harvey as it's free, easy and keeps your links - no brainer really!
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  • Profile picture of the author PeterPatrickgo
    there are also some desktop pdf converters could do help, such as Nemo PDF converter and Nitro Reader. They are both works great.

    Hope it helps.
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