How to create a PDF on Desktop and Mobile?

Creating PDFs is easy whether you're on a desktop or mobile. Here's how:

On Desktop (Windows/Mac): Use built-in tools like "Save As PDF" in Microsoft Word or the "Print-to-PDF" feature available on both platforms.
On Mobile (iPhone/Android): Convert webpages or documents into PDFs using apps like Safari, Google Drive, or Notes.
Online Tools: Platforms like Google Docs or CloudConvert let you create PDFs without installing extra software.
Automate with Latenode: Save time by setting up workflows that automatically generate PDFs, ideal for high-volume tasks.

PDFs preserve formatting, are universally compatible, and offer security features like password protection. Whether you're saving a recipe, sharing a contract, or automating tasks, these methods make it simple. Read on for step-by-step guides for each platform.

How to create a pdf in Google Docs

How to Create a PDF on Desktop

Creating a PDF on a desktop is straightforward, as both Windows and macOS come equipped with built-in tools for generating PDFs. Whether you're working with documents, web pages, or images, your computer has you covered.

Using Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word provides a user-friendly way to convert documents into PDFs, offering flexibility for both Windows and Mac users.

For Windows users, converting a Word document into a PDF is simple with the Save As feature. Open your document, go to File > Save As, and pick a location to save the file. In the "Save as type" dropdown menu, select "PDF (*.pdf)" [2]. You can choose between "Standard" for higher quality or "Minimum size" for a smaller file [2].

Before saving, click on "Options" to customize your PDF. This allows you to define page ranges, include or exclude comments, and adjust other settings based on your needs [2]. This is especially useful for business documents where you might want to remove internal notes before sharing.

Mac users can follow a similar process. Go to File > Save As, enter a new filename, and select "PDF" under "File Format" [3]. Then, click "Export" to create your PDF [3].

If you're using Word Online, exporting to PDF is just as easy. Navigate to File > Export and select either "Download as PDF" for a clean version or "Download as PDF with comments" to include feedback [1]. Once downloaded, the PDF will appear in your browser's download folder [1].

Next, let's explore how macOS simplifies PDF creation with its print feature.

Using Print-to-PDF on Mac

macOS offers a versatile Print-to-PDF feature that works with nearly any document, webpage, or file that supports printing. This makes creating PDFs straightforward across various applications.

To use this feature, open the file you want to convert and go to File > Print. In the print dialog, click the PDF button in the lower-left corner and select "Save as PDF" from the dropdown menu. You can then name your file and add metadata, including tags, title, author, and keywords, to keep your PDF organized and searchable.

For added security, click "Security Options" to set a password before saving. This ensures your document stays private without needing extra software.

If you're using Safari and want to save a webpage, there's an even quicker method. Simply go to File > Export as PDF, and the entire page will be saved with its original layout intact [4].

Now, let's look at how Windows users can take advantage of similar features.

Using Print-to-PDF on Windows

Windows 10 and 11 come with the Microsoft Print to PDF driver, enabling easy conversion of any printable content into a PDF. This feature works well for both individual files and within applications.

For individual files, use the right-click method. Right-click on the file, select "Print", choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer, and click "Print" again. You'll then be prompted to choose a save location.

For applications, open the file in any program that supports printing - like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or a web browser. Click "Print", select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as your printer, and save the file to your desired location.

If you don’t see the Microsoft Print to PDF option, you may need to enable it. Search for "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Start menu, check the box for "Microsoft Print to PDF", and restart your computer.

For persistent issues, you can manually add the printer. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, click "Add a printer", and select "The printer that I want isn't listed." From there, choose "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings", select "FILE: (Print to File)" as the port, and set "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the driver.

These methods ensure that both Mac and Windows users can easily create PDFs, regardless of the file type or application.

How to Create a PDF on Mobile

Mobile devices have made PDF creation incredibly convenient, turning what was once a desktop-only task into something you can do on the go. Both iPhone and Android users have access to built-in tools that simplify converting documents, webpages, and even scanned materials into PDFs.

Using Safari on iPhone

Safari makes it easy to turn any webpage into a PDF, which is perfect for saving content for offline use.

To create a PDF from a webpage, open the page in Safari and tap the Share icon at the bottom of the screen. In the Share Sheet, tap "Options" and select "PDF" as the format. This will generate a PDF that retains the original layout and formatting of the webpage.

Once the PDF is ready, tap "Save to Files" to store it on your iPhone. You can choose a location within the Files app and give the file a clear name for easy retrieval later. This method is ideal for archiving entire webpages or creating offline references [5].

No additional apps or subscriptions are required, and the saved PDFs remain accessible even without an internet connection.

Using Notes or Files App on iPhone

The Notes and Files apps on iPhone offer more flexibility for creating PDFs, whether you're working with existing documents or scanning physical materials.

Creating PDFs from Notes or Files is straightforward using the print function. Open the Notes app and select the note you want to convert, or locate the document in the Files app. Tap the Share button and scroll down to select "Print" [7]. On the Print Options screen, use a two-finger pinch on the preview to create a PDF. Then, tap the Share button again in the top-right corner to save the PDF to Files, email it, or share it through another app [7].

Scanning documents into PDFs is another useful feature available in the Notes app. Start by creating a new note and tapping the camera icon, then select "Scan Documents" [6]. The app will automatically detect the document's edges and capture a clear scan, though you can manually adjust if necessary. After scanning, save the file, open the resulting PDF, tap the three-dot menu icon, and choose "Send a Copy" to share or save the PDF via Mail or Print [6].

Using Google Drive on Android

Android users can turn to Google Drive for an easy way to create PDFs, especially for Google Docs. This method integrates smoothly with Android’s file system and Google’s suite of tools.

To convert a document to PDF, open the Google Docs app and navigate to the file you want to convert. Tap the three dots (menu icon) in the top-right corner, then select "Share & export" from the menu. Choose "Save as PDF", and the document will automatically download as a PDF to your device [8].

This approach works well for maintaining the formatting, images, and layout of documents created or edited in Google Docs. The PDF will appear in your device’s Downloads folder, ready to be shared, uploaded to cloud storage, or opened with other apps.

These mobile methods for creating PDFs complement traditional desktop and online solutions, which are covered in the next section.

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How to Create PDFs Using Online Tools

Creating PDFs has never been easier, thanks to a variety of online tools that eliminate the need for additional software. These solutions can handle tasks ranging from exporting files in Google Docs to converting other formats into PDFs using web-based converters.

Using Google Docs

Google Docs offers a straightforward way to save documents as PDFs. Open your file in Google Docs, then navigate to File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf) to save it directly as a PDF. Alternatively, you can choose File > Print in browsers like Chrome or Safari, and select the 'Save as PDF' (or 'Export as PDF') option before saving. For those who need to convert files in formats beyond what Google Docs supports, external tools like CloudConvert can be helpful.

Using CloudConvert

CloudConvert is a versatile file conversion tool that supports a wide range of formats. Whether you're working with a single file or multiple files, the process is straightforward:

Choose your source file type and set PDF as the output format.
Click Select File to upload your document, then hit Convert.
Once the conversion is complete, preview your file and click Download to save it. If you're working with multiple files, use Download All to receive a ZIP file containing your converted PDFs.

This tool simplifies the process, making it easy to generate PDFs from almost any file type.

Automating PDF Workflows with Latenode

For those looking to streamline PDF conversions, Latenode offers powerful automation capabilities. By integrating CloudConvert with your existing business tools, you can set up workflows to handle file conversions automatically. For instance, you could create a process where email attachments are sent to CloudConvert for conversion and then saved to Google Drive. Another example might involve Dropbox sending files to CloudConvert, with notifications sent to your team via Slack once the PDFs are ready. With Latenode, these tasks can run seamlessly in the background, saving you time and effort while keeping your workflows efficient and organized.

Automating PDF Creation with Latenode

Manually creating PDFs can be a time-consuming task, especially when dealing with multiple documents. Latenode simplifies this process by automating PDF generation, seamlessly connecting your apps and services to handle the work without constant manual input.

Automated Conversion Workflows

With Latenode, you can establish workflows that automatically convert files into PDFs whenever new data or documents come in, saving time and effort. The platform integrates with tools such as PDF.co and PDFMonkey to manage tasks like file conversion, data extraction, and document creation.

For instance, integrating PDF.co with Latenode is straightforward: input your API key, select actions like "PDF to Text" or "Merge PDF", and configure the necessary parameters. Similarly, when using PDFMonkey, simply add the PDFMonkey node, authenticate with your API key, choose "Generate PDF", and map the required data from connected applications.

Here are a few examples of how Latenode can automate PDF workflows:

Airtable to PDFMonkey: Automatically generate invoices with PDFMonkey whenever new sales records appear in Airtable. Latenode ensures the PDFs are stored directly in Airtable's attachment fields.
HubSpot Deal Automation: When a HubSpot deal reaches the "Closed Won" stage, Latenode triggers PDFMonkey to create contracts using deal information and attaches the documents to the relevant HubSpot records.
Google Sheets Reporting: Automate weekly report generation from Google Sheets data. Latenode schedules the process, converts the data to PDFs via PDFMonkey, and handles email distribution.

Once the conversion process is automated, you can enhance it further with AI-driven tools for categorizing and routing documents, providing a more streamlined approach to document management.

AI-Powered Document Management

Latenode goes beyond basic file conversion by incorporating AI-powered features for smarter document processing and organization. With access to over 100 AI models under a single subscription, you can create workflows that analyze document content and make decisions accordingly.

Smart Document Processing enables workflows that analyze incoming PDFs, extract key details using AI models, categorize files automatically, and route them to the right team members or storage locations. For example, you could design a workflow that scans email attachments, converts them to PDFs if necessary, and files them in specific Google Drive folders with appropriate naming conventions.

Content-Aware Automation takes it a step further by enabling workflows that act based on document content. For instance:

Scan contracts for renewal dates, automatically set calendar reminders, and create follow-up tasks in project management tools.
Analyze expense receipts, extract amounts and categories, and update accounting spreadsheets without manual effort.

For advanced needs, Latenode supports custom code and JavaScript nodes, allowing you to create tailored workflows. This flexibility lets you implement complex document transformations, enforce specific business rules for PDF generation, or design approval workflows driven by document content analysis.

With compute-based pricing, Latenode makes these advanced automation capabilities accessible. Plans start at $5 per month for 3,000 executions and scale up to $147 monthly for 1.5 million executions [10].

Conclusion: Making PDF Creation Simple

Creating PDFs doesn’t have to be a challenge. With mobile devices accounting for over 55% of all web traffic and users spending an average of five hours daily on their smartphones, having reliable PDF creation tools across platforms is more important than ever [13].

Whether you’re using Microsoft Word’s “Save As” option, the print-to-PDF feature on Mac and Windows, or Safari’s Share button on iPhone, generating PDFs is straightforward and accessible [11]. On mobile, PDFs should be optimized for clarity, easy navigation, and efficient storage with reduced image resolutions [12].

However, for businesses or individuals dealing with large volumes of documents, manual methods can quickly become time-consuming. On average, employees spend half their time on repetitive tasks like creating or updating PDFs, Word documents, and spreadsheets, with an additional 10% dedicated to manual data entry [15]. This inefficiency underscores the value of automation.

Latenode offers a smarter alternative by automating the entire PDF creation process. Instead of converting documents manually, you can establish workflows that handle tasks from document generation to distribution. For instance, when a HubSpot deal reaches the "Closed Won" stage, Latenode can automatically trigger PDFMonkey to generate contracts using deal details and attach them directly to HubSpot records.

Cost-effective and efficient, Latenode charges based on processing time - just $17 for 10,000 executions with 5 nodes. Users have praised its affordability and reliability:

"Latenode has replaced Zapier and Make⚡️. Our business requires us to send lots of webhooks every day, and we need a reliable service that's easy on the pockets, and that's Latenode." - Mike Kirshtein, Founder & Leadership at Audax Group [9][14].

Ultimately, whether you rely on manual tools for occasional tasks or choose to automate with Latenode for high-volume workflows, the key is to align your PDF creation strategy with your specific needs.

FAQs

What makes Latenode a better choice for automating PDF creation compared to doing it manually?

Using Latenode to automate PDF creation brings a range of practical benefits that make it a smarter choice than manual methods. By automating repetitive tasks, it not only saves time but also allows you to direct your energy toward more meaningful work. Plus, automation minimizes the risk of human error, ensuring that your PDFs are always consistent and accurate.

One standout feature of Latenode is its seamless integration with tools like Google Docs and Airtable. This capability enables you to pull data from multiple sources effortlessly, making the process of generating PDFs smooth and efficient. For businesses, this means an easier way to handle documentation workflows and scale operations without added complexity. With Latenode in the mix, creating PDFs becomes quicker, more dependable, and stress-free.

How can I protect my PDFs on macOS and Windows using built-in tools?

To safeguard your PDFs on macOS, you can rely on the built-in Preview app for password protection. Simply open the PDF in Preview, navigate to File > Export, select the Encrypt option, and create a password. This step ensures that only individuals with the password can access or modify the document.

For Windows users, Adobe Acrobat offers a dependable method to secure PDFs. Open the PDF in Acrobat, head to Tools > Protect, and follow the instructions to set a password. You can also apply additional restrictions, such as disabling editing or printing, for enhanced control over your document.

If you’re looking for an added layer of security, enable Protected View in Adobe Acrobat. This feature opens files in a secure, isolated environment, reducing the risk of potential threats.

How can I create PDFs on my mobile device that are easy to read and don't take up too much storage?

To make PDFs more suitable for mobile devices, prioritize clarity and simplicity. Opt for a single-column layout to prevent the need for horizontal scrolling, and use larger fonts to ensure text remains readable on smaller screens. Minimize file sizes by compressing images and using lower-resolution visuals only when high quality isn't essential. Tools like Adobe Acrobat provide options to optimize PDFs by balancing image quality and file size effectively. Additionally, eliminate unnecessary elements such as extra pages or oversized graphics to create a more streamlined and user-friendly document.