Get the power — learn why and how to convert files to PDF with Adobe Acrobat.

Discover the power of PDFs — learn why PDF files work.

Portable Document Format files or PDFs, have become the universal go-to for sharing and archiving documents. Why? PDFs are powerful. There is a myriad of benefits to using them.

• PDFs preserve document integrity.
  One of the most significant advantages of PDFs is their ability to maintain the formatting and layout of your document, regardless of the device or software used to view them. This ensures that what you see on your screen is precisely what others will see on theirs. No more worrying about fonts shifting or graphics and images getting distorted during the sharing process.

• PDFS have cross-platform compatibility.
  PDFs are platform-agnostic. This means they can be viewed and opened on almost any device, be it a Windows PC, a Mac, a smartphone or a tablet. This universal compatibility is invaluable in a world where people use various devices and operating systems.

• PDFS take security seriously.
  PDFs offer robust security features. You can encrypt your PDFs with passwords, restrict editing and printing and add digital signatures for authentication. These features make PDFs ideal for sensitive documents, such as contracts and legal papers.

• PDFs reduce file sizes.
  Converting files to PDF can help in reducing the size of the document. This is particularly useful when you need to share large documents via email or store them online. Smaller file sizes save storage space and ensure faster uploads and downloads. You can also compress PDF files even further to reduce file sizes.

• PDFs facilitate easy collaboration.
  Sharing files in PDF format simplifies collaboration. Not only can you edit a PDF, but you can also comment on PDFs, highlight text and annotate. This makes it easier for teams to work together on a document without altering the original content.

• PDFs can include interactive elements.
  PDFs can contain interactive elements like hyperlinks, bookmarks and multimedia content. This makes them versatile for presentations, reports, e-books and educational materials.

• PDFs are best for long-term archiving.
  PDFs are ideal for archiving important documents. The portable document format has been designed to last. This ensures that your documents will be accessible in the future, even as technology evolves.

• PDFs are environmentally friendly.
  At a time in history where environmental concerns are paramount, using PDFs can reduce the need for physical printing. This saves paper and ink and cuts down on energy consumption and waste.

• PDFs have user-friendly features — in both free and paid applications.
  Reading, creating and manipulating PDFs is easier than ever — even if you don’t have a lot of technical skills. Whether you’re using PDFs at work, sending them to customers or clients, taking care of paperwork at home or doing schoolwork, there are free and paid options to do what you need to.

Get the power — explore different PDF applications.

Choosing a PDF application is like picking out the right tool for a job - you want something that gets the job done efficiently and maybe even adds a little extra flair. So, how do you choose the ideal PDF application? Look for one that has the features you want, one that handles your documents securely and respects your privacy. Adobe offers various Acrobat solutions built to suit diverse needs and levels of expertise.

Consider these factors when you’re choosing your application to convert documents to PDF files —

• System compatibility.
  First, ensure your PDF application is compatible with your computer or device’s operating system. It's like making sure you wear appropriate clothing and PPE at work and home.

• Security.
  Ensure your PDF application can secure your documents with features like password protection, encryption and redaction.

• File conversion capabilities.
  Ensure the application is capable of converting formats to and from PDF that you regularly use for creating original documents. For example, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and image files.

• Optical character recognition (OCR).
  If you need to extract the text from scanned PDFs or images, choose an application that offers optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities. OCR makes all text in your PDF files searchable.

• Core features.
  Check your PDF application has the features you need. At a minimum, basic features in PDF applications should allow you to view, create and edit PDFs. These are the fundamental tools in any PDF application.

• User interface.
  Confirm the interface of your PDF application is one that you find user-friendly and intuitive, along with built-in help and search options that have answers when you need them. You don't want to waste time fumbling around and looking for what you need.

• Annotation and mark-up tools.
  Look for a PDF application that offers robust annotation and mark-up tools that stay on the paragraph and page you intend them to be.

• Form filling and signing.
  Get the digital seal of approval — a PDF application should allow you to fill in forms and sign documents.

• Collaboration.
  Collaboration and teamwork can be key in the world of PDF sharing. Look for a PDF application that supports real-time co-editing, commenting and easy file sharing.

• Cloud Integration.
  Check if your PDF application seamlessly integrates with cloud storage services, like Adobe Document Cloud where you can save, share and access files.

• File compatibility and file handling.
  Make sure your application supports various PDF types, such as PDF/A (archival), PDF/X (print) and password-protected PDFs. Your application should be able to manage standard PDFs to encrypted ones and everything in between.

• Customer Support.
  Make sure your PDF application offers reliable customer support, including user guides, online resources, and easily accessible in-app help.

• Trial version.
  Before making a final decision, try out a trial version of Adobe Acrobat. It's no different from test-driving a vehicle before committing to buying it. Make sure it aligns with how you’re going to drive your PDF document creation and conversions.

• Price and licensing.
  Choose a PDF application that suits your budget. Some PDF products are free, while others may require monthly or annual subscriptions so you can subscribe to full-features while you need them.

• Future Needs.
  Think about your future needs. Will you need more advanced features as your needs evolve? Choose a PDF application that can grow with you and adapt to what you need and when you need it.
  • Convert to PDF online with Adobe Acrobat Online
  • Convert to PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Acrobat Standard.

Use the power — find out how to convert files to PDF.

The ability to convert files into PDF has become an everyday skill that is just as essential as navigating the Internet and sending emails — and it’s often something you find yourself doing when you’re engaging in either of those activities. Whether you're a working professional, student or teacher or streamlining your digital files at home, converting files to PDFs is a valuable skill to have in your toolkit.

Step 1 — Prepare your file.

Before you convert your file, get it looking the way you want, whether it’s a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation or image, in the original application. You can edit PDFs after they are converted. But to do a straightforward conversion with no further tweaking to the content, create and edit your document in your original application before converting.

Step 2 — Choose your method.

There are various methods you can use to convert files to PDFs. Explore how to use each and choose the one that suits your needs and the way you work with other applications.

• Online
  With Adobe Acrobat Online there’s no need to download and install any app. Simply upload or drag and drop your files to convert to PDF, or vice versa and away you go.

• Downloadable applications.
  Adobe Acrobat Standard and Adobe Acrobat Pro are your dedicated software solutions to download and use to convert files to PDF on your laptop or computer.

• In other applications.
  Many applications will give you the option to print to PDF from within the application. Go to your printer settings and select Print to PDF. If you’ve downloaded Adobe Acrobat, in applications such as Word you’ll also see an Acrobat Ribbon with options for creating Adobe PDFs directly from your Word document.

• Scan paper documents to PDF from your mobile.
  Use the free Adobe Scan mobile app to convert paper documents to PDF from your mobile. Capture and convert those paper documents into searchable PDF files in an instant.

• How to convert a file to PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
  • Open your Adobe Acrobat application.
  • Click the Create tab in the top toolbar.
  • Select from the options to create a PDF from a single file, multiple files, scanner, webpage or clipboard content.
  • Select the file(s) you want to convert to PDF.
  • Click the advanced settings to adjust security, printing, compression, interactivity and accessibility settings to your requirements.
  • Click Create and wait while Adobe Acrobat does the conversion.

• How to convert a file from PDF in Acrobat.
  • Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
  • Click the Convert tab in the top menu bar.
  • Select from the options to convert your PDF to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, an image format or another format.
  • Click the cog to change settings for the new document format.
  • Click Convert, select a location and file name for your new file and wait for Adobe Acrobat to export your PDF to your new file format.

• How to convert multiple files to PDF.
  • Open your Adobe Acrobat application.
  • Click the Create tab in the top toolbar.
  • Select Multiple files.
  • Choose from the options to combine multiple files into one PDF, create multiple PDF files or create a PDF portfolio.
  • Click next to add the files you want to convert.
  • Review your selection and adjust the page order, bookmarks and settings.
  • Click Combine and wait for Adobe Acrobat to do the conversion.

• How to convert a file to and from PDF online.
  • Open your web browser and go to the Adobe Online PDF converter.
  • Select your document from your device or drag and drop it in.
  • Wait for the online conversion process to finish.
  • Download your converted file or log into Adobe Online to continue working on your PDF.

Share the power — discover ways to share and store your converted PDFs.

After the PDF conversion is complete, take a moment to review your newly created PDF. Check that everything looks as you intended and the security and print settings are set to your standards. Test how others might see your PDF in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader

You can save and share your PDF from directly within Adobe Acrobat products

• to your device
• through email to others
• to cloud storage
• as an email attachment to others
• as an online link for others to access.

Expand the power — more tips for converting files to PDF.

Keep expanding your skills when converting PDF files and learn how to create documents that suit the standards and requirements needed by your profession, environment and the devices and platforms you use.

Some additional tips to help you to convert files to PDF effectively and become a PDF pro are —

• Choose reliable applications.
  Always use reliable and trusted software and PDF applications for creating and converting documents.

• Pay attention to the quality of content.
  Ensure that the original file is of high-quality. A clean and well-organised source file will result in a more professional-looking PDF. Use the PDF Editor to make any adjustments. Pay attention to the formatting and layout of your document. Make sure fonts, images and other elements look good in the PDF format. Adjust margins and page orientation if necessary. Use the delete PDF pages tool to remove any unwanted blank pages.

• Step up security.
  If your document contains private, sensitive or confidential information, use PDF security features to protect it. You can password-protect your PDF or apply restrictions to prevent copying, editing or printing.

• Compress PDF files.
  Large files can be cumbersome to share or store. Compress a PDF to reduce the file size while maintaining quality.

• Check navigation.
  If your source document contains hyperlinks or bookmarks, make sure they work in the PDF. This is particularly important for digital documents and e-books.

• Make text readable with OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
  If you're converting scanned documents or images to PDF, use OCR to make the text searchable and selectable.

• Add metadata and document properties.
  Don't forget to set document properties like title, author, keywords and description. This information helps with organising and searching for files.

• Review before finalising.
  Always review the converted PDF to check for any unexpected formatting issues, missing elements or inaccuracies. Make any necessary adjustments.

• Be consistent and organised with file names and folders.
  Keep your PDF files well-organised. Use clear and descriptive file names and maintain a logical folder structure to avoid confusion.

• Create mobile-friendly PDFs.
  If your audience includes mobile users, make sure your PDF is formatted for mobile devices, with readable fonts and appropriate page sizes.

• Share and distribute securely.
  When sharing your PDFs, consider using secure channels, like encrypted email or password-protected sharing links, to protect your content.

• Learn shortcuts.
  If you frequently convert files to PDF in Adobe Acrobat, take the time to learn keyboard shortcuts for the actions you perform frequently. It can significantly speed up your workflow.

• Use Acrobat help and Acrobat tutorials.
  Use the help and tutorials in Acrobat to quickly find out how to do something you’re not sure about and learn more advanced features available to you.