What Is Everyone Using To Make PDFs and Ebooks?

[Michael Mason]

I know this might seem like a basic question, but how is everyone making their own ebooks and simple pdf files? I ask because I have been working really hard on an ebook lately (my first one) and need to get it into PDF format before I sell it as a WSO.

I wrote it in Microsoft Word (the old version) and made certain words link to websites. I got everything good to go in Word, but then had to figure out how to change it to a PDF file.

I heard many people say that Open Office can export docs as pdfs, so I downloaded that. It did change my doc to a pdf quickly, BUT it made it look weird for some reason. Instead of the nice header and footer with page info, etc, it just made a big black ugly box. So that didn't work...

Then I downloaded PDF995 and the supporting software. That allowed me to save my doc as a pdf, and the header and footers looked good. But then I noticed that the links weren't working.

The only links in the whole pdf were ones that had a full website listing, such as www.warriorforum.com. There were certain places I added a hyperlink to a certain word in MS Word (anchor text, basically), but in the pdf those links don't show up. The words show up a different color as if they were links, but they are not links.

This is kind of frustrating. What is everyone else using to make pdfs and create links in them? I have read many ebooks and they all have clickable links that do not include www or .com. How should I do this?

Using the PDFedit995, I found an option where I can change all of a certain word to a certain link. But I use the word "Clickbank" about 20 times in the ebook, and I don't want EVERY time I say that word for it to be a link.

Anybody have any ideas? I will keep doing research and trying to figure this out, but any help to speed things up would be greatly appreciated.

[dean_holland]

Hi

There is a post on my blog ( Xmas Gift post ) where I give away a PDF creator piece of software that will do everything you wish

Hope that helps

Dean

[Alan Petersen]

I use Open Office and Google Docs. The problem that you're encountering is that you will loose formatting when you convert a word doc to an .odt and into Google Docs doc. So for the next one it's best to start from scratch with Open Office or Google Docs.

If it's just text it's not too bad but since you have headers and graphics it will be messy to convert as you're seeing now.

Maybe someone can give you better advice but what I did when that happened to me is I just bit the bullet and fixed the formatting issues from the conversion right on Open Office.

Another option you could just download a free 30-day trial of Adobe Acrobat Pro. It's fully functional. Try to convert it using that since it's the real deal vs. something like PDF995. Then next project use Open Office from the beginning.

Here is the link for the 30-day free trial of their $300 software:

Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Pro: Get a free trial

[Michael Mason]

JJ, I have tried using Open Office. I opened my Word doc using Open Office and then exported it as a pdf. For some reason, it changed how it looked though, and it also didn't keep any of the links from my document.

Dean, I just downloaded that software (from a different site, but I think it's the same thing). It does have an option for creating links, and that's what I am looking for. For some reason though, when I open my Word doc using that program, it changes a lot of things. It makes the header and footer look weird, deletes some stuff, changes layouts, and somehow made the ebook about 40 pages longer!

I'm not sure what to do. I'll keep messing around with different options until something works. If anybody else has any input, I would be grateful.

[Michael Mason]

Alan, you must have posted that a few seconds before me. So, you are saying that if you use the anchor text/hyperlinking words in Open Office, then export it as a PDF, all the links will remain correctly?

I just opened the Word doc with Open Office, and the format did change. Maybe if I go back in and change all the links manually in Open Office and then make a pdf, it will work normal. I think I will go try that. If nothing else works, then I guess the Adobe trial is the best option.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the advice everyone, and if you have any more input, feel free to share.

[Mary Gallivan]

You could try pdf to doc Not an aff link

I've found it to be good but I don't know how it work for your headers.

Mary

[AyeSuccess]

Hi,

I am sure it's worth any sacrifice for you to pay for a PDF converter since this is your first ebook (as you stated). Going for free PDF stuff will or may not give you the satisfaction you need. Why not put in few cash to purchase;

Professional PDF Converter 5 by Nuance

It's not expensive like Adobe and it does the same job. Just give it a try. You will find it helpful.

Let me know if it's okay for you.

AyeSuccess

[Mary Gallivan]

Somehow my post changed in transit. The link is supposed to be doc2pdf not the other way round.

Mary

[Mark Kaye]

I use Convert MS Word (doc) files to Adobe Acrobat files (pdf) for free. No login required..

It's free and easy and converts all links too!

[bgmacaw]

Open Office has worked fine for me, even going from Word to Open Office. The free eBook in my signature was done that way. The doc was in Word at first and then I converted it to OO and saved it as a PDF.

Some complex formating may not be preserved because there are some differences. In my experience, only a small amount of tweaking is needed to handle embedded photos and the like. I haven't tried multi-column layouts and stuff like that though.

[winy925]

i use word and covert to pdf

[Michael Mason]

Mark and Mary, thanks for the link. I have tried Doc2Pdf and it does work nice. But for some reason it messes up the headers and graphics. I used a template to start with that had a header with the title and page number on each page and that is what seems to be giving me a problem. Maybe changing the header might be all it takes to get it to work.

AyeSuccess, thank you for your input too. Since this is my first ebook, I would prefer to do it for free, especially since it is already written and I just want to change the format. I may take your advice and buy special software in the future though.

Thanks for all the comments everyone, I didn't think I'd get this much help so fast! I'm working on it still, and will keep everyone updated.

[jeewant]

Adobe softwares and Openoffice.org. google it and you will come across some plugins for adobe acrobat, if u are used to working on windows

[JayXtreme]

Adobe Acrobat <-- my personal fave
pdf995
warriorpdf
eWriterPro
OpenOffice.org
Convert MS Word (doc) files to Adobe Acrobat files (pdf) for free. No login required.

To name but a few

Peace

Jay

[Michael Mason]

While I type, even more people post responses. Thanks for the support guys!

[Angela V. Edwards]

Originally Posted by Inisheer

Mark and Mary, thanks for the link. I have tried Doc2Pdf and it does work nice. But for some reason it messes up the headers and graphics. I used a template to start with that had a header with the title and page number on each page and that is what seems to be giving me a problem. Maybe changing the header might be all it takes to get it to work.

AyeSuccess, thank you for your input too. Since this is my first ebook, I would prefer to do it for free, especially since it is already written and I just want to change the format. I may take your advice and buy special software in the future though.

Thanks for all the comments everyone, I didn't think I'd get this much help so fast! I'm working on it still, and will keep everyone updated.

If you download open office you can go to your chosen template and right click and chose "open with" and open it with Open Office. (If the template is inside a folder you will probably have to copy it to your desktop.) That way your template will open up as an Open Office writer document and you can use all the template's formatting and such.

[AyeSuccess]

Using Microsoft Word 2007, it has in-built PDF converter. This can be File-Save As-then select Pdf or XPS to save in the file. Another open is File -Send As-select option Pdf.
Making use of free online stuff most times for profit purpose can create problem. He will be better off if he can just once go grab a one-lifetime PDF converter software. He can use it over and over again.

[AyeSuccess]

Originally Posted by Inisheer

Mark and Mary, thanks for the link. I have tried Doc2Pdf and it does work nice. But for some reason it messes up the headers and graphics. I used a template to start with that had a header with the title and page number on each page and that is what seems to be giving me a problem. Maybe changing the header might be all it takes to get it to work.

AyeSuccess, thank you for your input too. Since this is my first ebook, I would prefer to do it for free, especially since it is already written and I just want to change the format. I may take your advice and buy special software in the future though.

Thanks for all the comments everyone, I didn't think I'd get this much help so fast! I'm working on it still, and will keep everyone updated.

Thank you too Inisheer. You are right though. I wish you success with your new ebook. Count on me really when you need further answers. Good luck.

[Jason Fenty]

OpenOffice or Word 2007 PDF PlugIn

[IMChick]

My personal favorite is right here on the Warrior Forum home page.
http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...-printing.html

[heidigroleau]

You can try the openoffice program as its free and is very easy to use and very efficent at converting documents into PDF, much like word. You can actually copy and paste from word to openoffice with no hassles at all. Hope this helps you!

[bert81]

Open Office is free and works great.

[rmholla]

I still use the free version of PDF995. Works great.

[dwshoup]

Originally Posted by Michael Mason

I know this might seem like a basic question, but how is everyone making their own ebooks and simple pdf files? I ask because I have been working really hard on an ebook lately (my first one) and need to get it into PDF format before I sell it as a WSO.

I wrote it in Microsoft Word (the old version) and made certain words link to websites. I got everything good to go in Word, but then had to figure out how to change it to a PDF file.

I heard many people say that Open Office can export docs as pdfs, so I downloaded that. It did change my doc to a pdf quickly, BUT it made it look weird for some reason. Instead of the nice header and footer with page info, etc, it just made a big black ugly box. So that didn't work...

Then I downloaded PDF995 and the supporting software. That allowed me to save my doc as a pdf, and the header and footers looked good. But then I noticed that the links weren't working.

The only links in the whole pdf were ones that had a full website listing, such as www.warriorforum.com. There were certain places I added a hyperlink to a certain word in MS Word (anchor text, basically), but in the pdf those links don't show up. The words show up a different color as if they were links, but they are not links.

This is kind of frustrating. What is everyone else using to make pdfs and create links in them? I have read many ebooks and they all have clickable links that do not include www or .com. How should I do this?

Using the PDFedit995, I found an option where I can change all of a certain word to a certain link. But I use the word "Clickbank" about 20 times in the ebook, and I don't want EVERY time I say that word for it to be a link.

Anybody have any ideas? I will keep doing research and trying to figure this out, but any help to speed things up would be greatly appreciated.

I use Microsoft Word with adobe acrobat. If you have Acrobat then it takes one click in word to create your pdf.

I don't have any experience with the other pdf programs but I with Acrobat, your links are click able.

[Michael Tracey]

Hi Michael

Just because your name is Michael

If you don't find a solution email me the word.doc & I'll convert it with Acrobat
That should work since I've never had a problem

If you want to do this PM me for my email address

Michael

[LegitSells]

I am still confused as to why people don't use Adobe Buzzword to write their ebooks.

[Quentin]

I have a review of some of the more popular free pdf software on my blog.

Compare free PDF Writers | The Internet Marketers Club

Q

[Hyaku_Man]

I've tried to install Open Office but when I tried to install it it seemed like Windows blocked it (I have Vista, don't know if that makes a difference). Maybe they're started to block it because of copyright claims?

I ended up using Adobe instead.

[Sam101]

Have you tried PrimoPDF? I have written many of my ebooks using this and it's great and FREE. ONly drawback that I am facing is that the anchor links don't work. The link only works in its native form (i.e. with http). Otherwise it is excellent. I suggest you use it first to create your ebook; if it is successfull then you can invest someof that money into the paid pdf software. BTW PrimoPDF its easy to download and install- it installs as a printer, so you can directly convery any of your Office docs into pdf by selecting PrimoPDF as the printer. You can adjust the resolution of the images and other material too by selecting it as Ebook or Print or PrePress. It will also allow you to make encrypted ebooks that open with passwords (essential to prevent your ebooks from being "shared").
Just my 2 cents...hope the info was helpful

[BODH]

A free Soft eWriter pro is excellent.it has many features.can easily create & customize the pdf file

[metafever]

I use Promo PDF . . . it integrates with MS Word and you can "print" a PDF.

[miked]

Free option: Get OpenOffice and use Export to pdf function.

If you only need to generate pdfs a few times a month, do this. I use M$ Word to write documents. Save the file. Then open the file with OpenOffice, and export to pdf. Just a quick couple of steps and you are done.

This is how I now publish pdfs for my online business.

Professional Option: Get Adobe Professional

It costs money, but if you are serious about your business, and you generate a lot of pdfs each month, stop screwing around with pdf makers wannabes, and get Adobe Professional. It will hook into M$ Word, and you can do pdf publishing in a couple of steps. I use Adobe Professional and M$ Word in my day job, and you can't beat the fact that these are the two standard programs.

Again, if you have infrequent use for a pdf generator and you are starting out, use OpenOffice. This works for me! (Did I say it's free?)

If you have a serious business and generate pdfs on a regular and routine basis, use Adobe Professional.

Just my $0.02.

-Mike D.

[Will Edwards]

Join the War Room and get a free copy of eWriterPro - you can sell it too!

Will

[MarkWrites]

I've used OpenOffice for a number of ebook projects, as well as other needs, and never had a problem.

[GarryMSayer]

Serif PagePlus X3 for me is an extremely powerful piece of software. As well as creating new PDFs you can import and edit existing PDFs too. Plus there are an awesome amount of graphics and templates on the resource CD.

I'm not sure if I am allowed to put a link in here so PM me and I'll send you a link to where you can pick Serif PagePlus X3 brand new, unactivated, unregistered and with the official Serif 250 page User Guide to boot, all of it for a price you wouldn't believe.

[Droopy Dawg]

I write'em in Word (03 and/or 07), then convert to PDF using Cute PDF (direct link to download)

Cute PDF is cool because it keeps your links active after conversion to PDF.

[Tracy Yates]

I also use OpenOffice Writer and prefer it over all other PDF creation software...including Word.

@ Intrepreneur - To create such a side bar for your chapters, you will first need to insert a Table of Contents using: Insert > Indexes & Tables > Indexes & Tables from the horizontal tool bar.

Once you have that done, create your PDF and you should see them on the side there.


Tracy

[adetutu]

Try cutepdf.com.It works perfectly for what you want to do.
Olajide Adetutu

[tmursch]

I use Adobe Acrobat Professional to make my PDFs. Not cost effective and it is major bloatware. But it gets the job done.

[xInd]

I found Warrior PDF on here earlier, downloaded it, and it said I wouldn't need the other file... Now it turns out I need it, and I can't find the thread for Warrior PDF... My search came up with this thread and many others like it... hmm... Back to searching I guess. Anyone have the URL handy and care to PM it to me?