How to Convert DOC and DOCX Files to PDF in Word 2016

Microsoft Word 2016 can save DOC and DOCX documents as PDF without extra conversion software. Open the document, choose File > Save As, select PDF as the file type, and save the exported copy.

Save a Word 2016 document as PDF

1. Open the document and select the File tab.

   

2. Select Save As, then choose Browse to open the Save As dialog.

   

3. Choose a destination folder, enter a clear file name, and select PDF (*.pdf) from Save as type.

   

4. Choose an optimization option:

   • Standard (publishing online and printing) preserves more detail and is the usual choice for documents that will be printed or viewed on a large screen.
   • Minimum size (publishing online) reduces the file size but may lower image quality.
   

5. If necessary, select Options to choose a page range, include document properties, create bookmarks from headings, or control PDF accessibility and archival options. Leave settings at their defaults if you do not have a specific requirement.

   

6. Select Save. Open the new PDF and check page breaks, images, tables, links, and fonts.

   

Export only selected pages

In the Save As dialog, select Options. Under Page range, choose the current page, a page range, or selected content where available. This avoids creating the entire PDF when you only need part of a long document.

Make the PDF easier to navigate

Use Word's built-in heading styles before exporting. In Options, enable bookmark creation from headings when the PDF needs a clickable outline. A well-structured document is also easier to maintain; see how to use styles in Word and create an automatic table of contents.

If the exported PDF looks wrong

• Text or page breaks moved: confirm the correct paper size, margins, and printer settings before exporting.
• A font changed: use an embeddable font and make sure it is installed correctly.
• The file is too large: choose Minimum size or compress large images in Word before exporting.
• Links do not work: use real hyperlinks in Word rather than underlined plain text, then export again.

If you later need to revise a PDF whose Word source is unavailable, review the limitations and methods for converting PDF back to Word.