7 Multiple Ways to Save a Google Doc as a PDF

Google Docs has become one of the most popular word processors or word editors these days. This application was developed by Google as an alternative to Microsoft Word, who dominate the market of word editors. Google Docs also has integration with the Google Drive to facilitate users to connect with other types of productivity applications, such as Google Spreadsheet, Google Slides, or other platforms under Google. 

As a convenience word processor, Google Docs has many features and advantages to attract users. Unlike Microsoft Word, which requires a subscription to use, Google Docs allows you to use it for free by registering for a Gmail account. However, the features from Microsoft Word are far more full-fledged compared to those of Google Docs. 

In spite of the disadvantage, Google Docs is still a reliable platform that offers many features to help you write a document, as long as you connect to the Internet. This process on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF is important because we need to convert our file into a PDF to create a static file that is easier to read than the docx or other document formats. This article will give you seven instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF from different features on the Google Docs on desktop and phone devices. 

How to save a Google Doc as a PDF on a desktop

Saving Google Docs as a PDF is important in our daily lives, especially for a person who uses Google Docs on a daily basis. The best way to save a Google Docs as a PDF is with a desktop, such as Windows or a Macbook, which is the most convenient and easiest way, because you can view and edit the full document. These are the steps on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF on a MacBook or Windows using the features from the advanced Google Doc itself. 

1. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF using Download

These are the step-by-step instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF using the built-in feature from Google Docs. This step is very simple and might be the easiest step for converting the Google Doc file into a PDF. 

• Step 1: Please open the specific docx format on Google Docs on your favorite browser on Windows or a MacBook. 
• Step 2: Once the file is open, you can click the File. Then, click the Download option on the drop-down lists. 
• Step 3: Afterwards, choose the PDF document or (.pdf) format, and the file will be saved to your download storage automatically. 
• Step 4: You can find the file on your storage and open it in your PDF editor application.

2. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF using Print

These are the step-by-step instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF using the Print feature. Using the Print feature is another way to convert a file to PDF effortlessly. These steps are not difficult, and you can try by following these instructions. 

• Step 1: Please open your document file or (.docx) format in Google Docs.
• Step 2: Click the Print symbol on the upper toolbar of the Google Docs window. 
• Step 3: Then, the pop-up menu will open up, and you can change the print option to Save as PDF. After that, just click the Save button below. 
• Step 4: Please select the folder on your storage that you want to save this PDF file. 

3. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF using Email 

The other easy way to save as a PDF is by using email. This method is not complicated, and it is quite useful for people who need to send a document file to a PDF file automatically. Through this method of how to save a Google Doc as a PDF, you do not need to save it in your folder first, and you can see the file sent directly to the destination email. 

• Step 1: Please open your specific document that you want to convert to a PDF on Google Docs. 
• Step 2: Similar to the downloading option, you can click the File option on the toolbar of Google Docs. Then, choose the Email option and click the Email this file button. 
• Step 3: Afterwards, the pop-up menu comes out, and you can write the email address and message.
• Step 4: Then, just click the Send button below to send this file to your friends or your colleague. 

4. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF with an add-on plugin

You might also consider using an add-on plugin to save a Google Doc as a PDF. One of the most used plugins is Docs™ to PDF Pro. It’s totally free and easy to install. These are the instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF with Docs™ to PDF Pro. 

(YouTube/Workspace Tips By Vikram)

• Step 1: Open Google Docs
• Step 2: Find the Extension menu above the toolbar, select Add-on > Get add-ons
• Step 3: The Google Workspace Marketplace dialog window will appear. Type Docs to PDF Pro in the search bar 
• Step 4: Click Install and follow the steps required
• Step 5: Open your document, go to Extension > Docs to PDF Pro < Open, the add-on menu will appear on the sidebar 
• Step 6: Start the conversion process by clicking Download to PDF. You can also manage storage location (Google Drive or desktop), convert multiple documents with the add-on, and merge more than one PDF file. 

How to save a Google Doc as a PDF on a mobile phone or tablet

If you are not bringing your computer or laptop, you can also convert a Google document file to a PDF using a mobile phone or tablet. The instructions on how to save a Google Docs as a PDF using a mobile phone or tablet are not far from those for the desktop, but still, there are differences between these two devices. This option is best for those of you who are outside and do not bring a laptop and need to convert a file quickly. These are the instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF using the advanced tool from Google Docs itself on a mobile phone or tablet. 

1. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF on Android

Saving a Google Docs file to a PDF on an Android mobile phone or tablet is not complicated. You can use the Save as feature in Google Docs in order to convert the document to a PDF file. These are the step-by-step instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF using the Save as feature on an Android mobile phone or tablet. 

• Step 1: Please open the specific document file in Google Docs on your mobile phone or tablet. 
• Step 2: Then, click the three-dot symbol (…) in the right corner of your Google Doc mobile window. Choose the Save & Export. 
• Step 3: Press the Save as option and choose the PDF format. 
• Step 4: You can save the PDF file to your folder on your Android mobile phone or tablet. 

2. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF on iPhone or iPad

The method of converting Google Docs to a PDF on Android and iOS is different. Even though it is quite similar, there are different steps, especially in the last part of saving to the PDF format. These are the step-by-step instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF on an iPhone or iPad. 

• Step 1: Open a certain file that you want to edit or process using Google Docs on your iPhone or iPad. 
• Step 2: Then, click the three-dot symbol (…) in the right corner of your Google Doc mobile window. Choose the Send a copy option. 
• Step 3: After that, please click the PDF format and press OK. 
• Step 4: The PDF file will pop up, and you can choose the folder that you want to save to your device or send through email. 

3. How to save a Google Doc as a PDF using Print on a mobile device or tablet

The other way to save the Google Doc file to a PDF on a mobile phone or tablet is by using the Print option. This method is quite similar to the desktop, and it is easy to use even for a person who has never used it before. These are the step-by-step instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF using the Print option on a mobile phone or tablet. 

• Step 1: Open up the file that you want to edit or convert to a PDF on Google Docs. 
• Step 2: Please tap the three-dot symbol (…) on the right corner of the phone window. 
• Step 3: Then, click the Share & Export and choose the Print symbol option. 
• Step 4: After that, it will show the Print Option. Instead of choosing the print, you can click the save symbol in the upper corner.
• Step 5: Please, click the Save to file, and you can choose to save in the folder that you want. The document file will be converted to PDF automatically. 

How to send back the PDF file to Google Drive 

Once you have saved your document file to a PDF through the instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF above, you can upload it back to Google Drive by following these manual steps. Follow these instructions on how to send back the PDF File to Google Drive. 

• Step 1: Open Google Drive.
• Step 2: Sign in to your account. 
• Step 3: Find the folder where you want to locate the file. 
• Step 4: Drag your PDF file to the folder and drop the cursor.
• Step 5: Or you can manually click the + New at the top right of your screen, select New Folder. 
• Step 6: Create a new folder (type the name you want) and drag and drop your PDF File. Or you can right-click any blank space within the folder and select Upload File.

Additional tips for saving a Google document to a PDF

Sometimes, you find something wrong while saving your Google document to a PDF format. It could be the size, margins, orientation, etc. In case that happens, allocate more time to check these tips on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF in advance. 

1. Check Page Setup by clicking File, then selecting Page Setup. Format the size, orientation, space, and margins. 
2. You can use the Print menu to get more setup control. Instead of clicking File > Download, try selecting File > Print. Or you can simply press Cmd + P / Ctrl + P. When the print dialog appears, change the Destination option to Save as PDF. Scroll down and expand the More Settings option. There, you can manage more setup, including scale and background. 
3. Use Headings to create an automatic indexing system. You can set it manually by blocking the title you want and changing the heading system on the toolbar, it is located near the font setting. Once you save it as a PDF, it can automatically detect the setting and make it easier for you to find each section. 
4. Make sure you use available fonts in Google Docs before saving it as a PDF file, instead of custom ones. 
5. If you use images within the Google document, upload larger resolution images. Do not forget to check the final file size, as it tends to create larger files.

Benefits of how to save a Google Doc as a PDF

While the practice is quite common and easy, you might be wondering why it is important to save a Google document as a PDF. Here are several benefits of knowing how to save a Google Doc as a PDF. 

1. Compared to the docx file format, PDF has universal compatibility in almost every device available, whether it is Windows, macOS, Android, or iPhone. It has higher reliability and ensures faster document exchanges for business. 
2. PDF format will preserve the content and settings of the file. While it is possible to save your file in docx format, it would not ensure the right settings. Sometimes, files with the docx format will be altered or look disordered when they are opened on other devices.
3. Perfect to guarantee professionalism. For business occasions, it is crucial for you to impress your partner with reliability and fast response; therefore, PDF is the best way to eliminate hassles and troubles. 
4. Consider subscribing to or buying a professional PDF editor software license, as it can help you create editable PDF files to add e-signatures, additional data for contracts, client deliverables, etc. 
5. Unlike Google Docs, you can access PDF files without an internet connection. You can just open the PDF document with the PDF editor or PDF reader application, which is available for free. 
6. It will be easier to print a PDF instead of a Google document, as it has stable settings and is designed as a print-ready file. The structure of the document will be intact and cannot be easily altered. 
7. Converting to PDF will save more storage than the Google Docs file or other document files due to its concise format. This allows you to transfer, download, or upload to the cloud storage. 
8. PDF format can be easily opened on any device, such as a laptop, computer, tablet, or even smaller devices like a mobile phone. A PDF format document can be opened in any software; whether you are using different types of devices, you can still open and transfer without the need to change anything. 
9. Unlike the docx format, the PDF format is equipped with advanced security features. Therefore, this format offers the guarantee of security by applying the password or encryption in order to ensure the information within the file can be accessed by the right person. 

Conclusions

Knowing how to save a Google Doc as a PDF is a crucial skill you need to have as a professional. It is easy and practical, as you will find many occasions where this is necessary and obligatory. As PDF has universal compatibility and the ability to preserve your data, it will emulate professional and reliable impressions. Therefore, it is an essential skill and knowledge for business operations. 

The good news is that the steps of how to save a Google Doc as a PDF are simple, and you can learn them in a matter of seconds. You can utilize the built-in tools within the Google Doc itself, or consider using an extension or add-on. It is also completely free. However, if you want to create customizable PDF files for certain purposes, you might consider adding a PDF editor app such as PDFelement, Adobe Acrobat Pro, etc. They will be handy in the document management system, as you might find yourself needing to make fillable documents on certain occasions. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 

Why do people need to save a Google Doc or docx format as a PDF? 

Google Docs is a versatile format and is necessary at certain stages of work. Yet, once the files need to be transferred to other devices, PDF will provide more stable and consistent formatting. 

What is the benefit of using PDF instead of the docx format? 

Google Docs or docx files are essential for the editing phase. Yet, it is more ideal to share the access within the internal division. Once the content is fixed, you need a more stable format that will limit the ability of other parties outside your company to edit essential data and clauses within the files. Thus, PDF offers a solid format with universal compatibility that ensures your partners can access the files without hassles. 

What is the easiest step for saving a Google Doc as a PDF on a desktop? 

The easiest instruction on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF is by clicking the File menu and selecting Download. The dialog will allow you to choose the right format you want, including PDF. 

What is the easiest step for saving a Google Doc as a PDF on a mobile phone?

The easiest instructions on how to save a Google Doc as a PDF on a mobile phone are using Share & Export. Then choose the Save as option if you are using Android, and if you are using iOS, you can check the Send a Copy option. However, make sure you have already downloaded the Google Docs app through the Play Store or App Store.

Can I save a Google Doc as a PDF offline? 

This is not possible as Google Docs is an online-based application. If you desperately need an offline way to save a docx file to PDF, you can use word processor software such as OpenOffice and Microsoft Word. Other than that, this task is possible with PDF editor software such as PDFGear, SmallPDF, PDFelement, etc. 

What is the alternative to Google Docs for converting a document file to PDF format?

There is one alternative app you can use other than Google Docs. It is called Microsoft Word Online, which is accessible with your Outlook account. However, it is also an online-based word processor app; unfortunately, you have to access it with a reliable internet connection.  

Which is the best way to convert Google Docs to PDF using a desktop, phone/tablet, without altering the structure of the file?

You can also try to use the Print menu, which will preserve the content of the files while giving you more control over the way you want to save it. It is available both in a desktop and a mobile app.