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Digital Accessibility

Microsoft Word to PDF

Your Word document is complete and you are ready to save it as a PDF file. Learn how to save it as a PDF while keeping accessibility in mind.

Convert to PDF from Word Document

When you are ready to convert your Word document to a PDF file, follow these steps in Word for Desktop to make sure the document will maintain its document structure and accessibility.

Using Windows

  1. Select "File" menu from Word menu tabs above your displayed document.
  2. Select "Save As" or "Save a Copy" from the side menu (depending on which is displayed in the option list) and select PDF.
    Screenshot of Microsoft Word File screen open with filename file type list expanded and PDF file format option highlighted with red border box around it. Save as copy option from main links is selected.
  3. Choose your preferred file location to save the PDF.
  4. Click Save button.

Using Mac

  1. Select "File" from the Word menu bar above document screen.
  2. Select "Save As" or "Save a Copy" (depending on which is displayed) from the "File" options.
  3. Select "PDF" format under "Export Formats" from the file format options.
  4. After "PDF" is selected, make sure "Best for electronic distribution and accessibility" is selected to ensure tags for accessibility are included in your PDF file.
    Screenshot of Mac version of Word save dialog box with red border around file format option with PDF option selected. The "Best for electronic distribution and accessibility" is also shown selected under the file format option.
  5. Provide a preferred file name and choose location for the PDF to be exported to.
  6. Click Save button.

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