SPS Information Technology

You can convert a Word document to PDF using various methods. Here are a few options:

• Using Microsoft Word – Save as:

  • • Open the Word document in Microsoft Word
    • Click on File > Save As.
      
      
    • Choose the location where you want to save the file.
    • In the Save as type dropdown, select PDF (*.pdf).
      
      
    • Click Save

• Using Microsoft Word – Save New Document as Adobe PDF:

  • Open the Word document in Microsoft Word 
  • Click on File > Save As Adobe PDF. 
  • Click Yes if prompted “Do you want PDFMaker to save the file and continue?”
    
    
  • In the Save as type dropdown, select PDF (*.pdf). 
  • Choose the location where you want to save the files. Save to the one drive folder with the icon [YourName]-Northwestern University or OneDrive-Northwestern University. 
  • Click Save. Your file should automatically open in Adobe PDF. 
  • If you do not click save, this error will appear
    

• Using Microsoft Word – Save Existing Document as Adobe PDF:

  • Open the Word document in Microsoft Word 
  • Click on File > Save As Adobe PDF. 
  • Choose the location where you want to save the files. Save to the one drive folder with the icon [YourName]-Northwestern University or OneDrive-Northwestern University. 
  • Click Save. Your file should automatically open in Adobe PDF
    
    

Multiple Save Options through File Explorer into OneDrive or SharePoint:

• File Explorer – After saving your file, open File Explorer and navigate to the location you selected (e.g., Desktop, Documents, or a custom folder). You can also search for the file name in the search bar. Look for the file with a .pdf extension to confirm it’s saved correctly.
  
  

• OneDrive – If you save your file to your OneDrive – Northwestern University folder, it will automatically sync to the cloud. You can access it through File Explorer under the OneDrive icon, or by logging in to onedrive.northwestern.edu with your NetID and password.
  
  

• SharePoint – If your department or team uses SharePoint, you can upload your PDF file directly to a SharePoint document library. Open your SharePoint site in a web browser, go to the Documents section, and use Upload > Files to add your PDF. If you have a SharePoint folder shortcut, it will appear in your OneDrive – Northwestern University in the File Explorer. 
  

[updated 7/31/2025]