A guide to PDF conversion and streamlining business processes.

In a professional setup, you might have worked across different document formats time and again. But many of those times, you were requested to convert it into a specific format or upload it in a set way.

In such cases, what was the approach you took?

• Did you rework the document entirely as per the requested format?
• Did you desperately look for ways to convince your superiors to accept it into your prepared format?
• Did you spend your own money to purchase tools that could help you with these conversions?
• Or did you risk your safety and security and upload your confidential documents on third-party websites to get them converted quickly?

Whatever the case may be, wouldn’t your job become easier if you had access to a reliable free tool that could help you convert your PDFs effortlessly and securely?

Let’s talk about how Adobe Acrobat can make your work life easier by becoming your go-to PDF converter. We’ll talk about the importance of choosing a reliable tool and how to effectively convert your documents into PDF, and vice versa. We’ll also shed light on some additional tools that can considerably increase your productivity in different workspaces.

What you’ll learn

Converting your documents into handy resources shouldn’t be a big hassle. Here’s how Adobe can help you streamline your work and improve your productivity:

• Why is it important to choose a reliable PDF converter?
• How to use a PDF converter
• 4 additional PDF tools for increased work productivity
• Final thoughts

Why is it important to choose a reliable PDF converter?

Converting Word documents or Excel sheets into PDFs is a fairly known and widely used practice, and vice versa.

If you are a digital copywriter, reporter, etc., then you are aware that certain Content Management Systems are not compatible or do not support the embedding of PDF files. You would either take screenshots of the desired sections from the PDF or convert the files into JPEG or other suitable formats.

Choosing an unreliable online tool poses certain risks to your content that can prove to be detrimental to your data security.

• It can lead to data leakage, which eventually can result in misuse of your private information.
• You may experience some loss in content in certain cases.
• Most of the tools are not compatible with certain document formats and do not provide you with accurate conversion.

To avoid such risks and to ensure the security of your data, you must pick a trusted online PDF Converter that allows you to convert your PDF documents into multiple formats with ease. You can use it on different devices and make changes on the go, saving yourself time, resources, and multiple reworks.

Adobe Acrobat offers a comprehensive PDF conversion tool, both on its online platform as well as through an in-built MS Office feature. Let’s discuss the steps required to convert your documents using Adobe.

How to use a PDF converter – a quick guide

You can convert your PDF document into multiple formats and vice versa, including images, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint files, text, and even HTML. We have detailed the necessary steps for you to convert and download your documents.

Converting Word to PDFs

The most widely used PDF converter feature today is converting your Word documents into high-quality PDF documents. It makes your documents readable and also enhances the quality of the text considerably.

To convert your Word document into an Adobe PDF:

1. Select the Word file on your computer or smartphone, and open it.
2. From the File Menu, choose ‘Save as Adobe PDF’. If you are using a Mac, then choose ‘Create and Share Adobe PDF’.

3. Save the file in your desired location.

Alternatively, you can use Adobe Acrobat’s Online Convert feature to convert your PDF document into editable Word documents as well.

Converting Excel to PDFs

You have prepared a comprehensive annual report using MS Excel, but now the client asks you to share a PDF version of it for their record. Follow these simple steps to transform your sheet and maintain the accuracy of your figures.

1. Open your Excel workbook on your device.

2. From the File Menu, choose ‘Save as Adobe PDF’.
3. Save your PDF document and share it as desired.

You can also convert PDF to Excel if you want to change the format of the infographic table or data columns. Most of these tools use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, which makes the text editable in Excel format for you.

Converting PowerPoint to PDFs

Presenting an ideated PowerPoint in a board meeting has made business much easier and more efficient, but when it comes to sharing the same file, there are chances that the formatting might be disrupted across different devices. To avoid this, simply convert your creative PPT into a high-quality PDF document that works across all platforms identically.

1. Open your PowerPoint Presentation on your computer.
2. From the File Menu, choose ‘Save as Adobe PDF’

3. Next, save your newly created PDF document and present it without additional loading time.

Alternatively, you can use Adobe Acrobat’s Online Convert PDF to PPT feature and get an editable PowerPoint Presentation as well.

Converting images to PDFs

Preserving high-resolution images while sharing is a huge requirement for designers and brands alike. Be it documents, product images, or simple snapshots of marketing materials, a pixelated image does you no good. The professional way to go about this is to convert your JPG or JPEG images to PDF documents, or vice versa, as per the requirements.

The best way to convert your images into PDFs is to use the Convert feature on Adobe Acrobat’s Online Tools.

1. Open the Adobe Acrobat Online Tool on your device.

2. Click on ‘Select a File’ and choose the image you want to convert to a PDF document. Alternatively, you can also drag or drop your file.
3. Download your newly converted PDF, which will preserve your image orientation and margins.

To convert a PDF document into an image, you need to follow an additional step of selecting your desired image file format amongst JPEG, PNG, or TIFF. Be rest assured, as the final result you view will be an exact replica of your original file.

4 additional PDF tools for increased work productivity

Most officials require you to scan, upload and send digital documents in PDF formats. Submitting PDF files is a commonplace task, from Trade Licenses to GST applications. It is an easy, efficient and quick way of managing the mountain of paperwork.

Now, you know that there are multiple tasks to perform across documents, including but not limited to editing files, adding digital signatures on contracts or letters of recommendation, and converting Word documents to PDF ones, among other things.

Here are some ways PDF tools can help you with laborious tasks so that you can perform your administrative duties without a hassle.

Reviewing and editing documents with a PDF editor

You may have received a document to review, and you are required to provide your expert analysis or comment on a few sections. Or after reading through the entire contents, you feel the need to add a new clause to the agreement or contract.

What and how do you do it?

You can re-type a fresh document and convert it to PDF. This is time-consuming, boring, and extra work that no one gets paid for. Or you can make quick modifications to the existing document with the help of a PDF editor which allows you to highlight important sections, add text and even include reference images or links within.

All these tasks can be performed even from your smartphone.

Adding digital signatures to your PDF contracts

Have you onboarded a new organisation which sent a PDF contract online and requested you to e-mail your signed version at the earliest?

Gone are the days when you would have to worry about the logistics of printing, scanning, and couriering the physical copies of your documents. Adding digital signatures has proven to be one of the most useful online PDF tools.

These tools even help you specify the signing order and send copies to those who require the signed document. It cuts down the cost and time in dispatching documents and follows security and confidential requirements and protocols.

Security and protection of important files

Data encryption and protection are more important than ever in the age of online scams, piracy and theft.

Digital hygiene is crucial and includes everything from safeguarding sensitive information to locking up documents with strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, among other things.

Adding a layer of security to something as trivial as your bank statement or your salary slip ensures only people with the password can access and view the file content.

Extracting, merging and copying PDF pages

Have you drafted multiple contracts for one entity, and must they be sent as a comprehensive policy document? You can merge multiple files into one PDF document in just a few clicks.

Similarly, you can also extract individual pages from a huge document. You grab and select a page from your PDF and, without copying and pasting, separate it from the remaining document.

You can also serialise and rearrange the documents without changing the file type. With an online PDF tool, you can also add more pages of a notes section into a document for printing.

Final thoughts

Editing and modifying pages, merging different PDFs, and adding comments and digital signatures are basic online tools that can help you with your day-to-day management efficient handling of projects, and enable you to conduct your tasks. It can improve your productivity and enhance your performance by saving your precious time that can be allocated to the process of creative thinking and ideation.

Our online ‘Convert’ feature, as well as the in-built ‘Save as Adobe PDF’ feature across MS Suite, is a beneficial tool that allows you to switch document formats instantly. It preserves your data and your formatting, presenting you with an easy-to-read, integrated approach to your work documents.

To learn more about Adobe Acrobat’s online features, click here.