DOCX is for editing. PDF is for sending. If you’re done with a document and you want it to look the same on every laptop (and print the same in the end), convert it to PDF.
TL;DR
- Open TinyUtils Document Converter
- Upload your .docx file
- Select PDF as output
- Download the PDF
- Expect the layout to stay consistent (with the usual font caveats)
Why convert Word to PDF?
- Finalize documents — No more "track changes" surprises
- Universal viewing — PDFs open anywhere
- Print-ready — What you see is what prints
- Paperwork — PDFs are commonly accepted for contracts and forms
- Email safety — PDFs can't execute macros
What's preserved
- Text formatting — Bold, italic, underline, colors
- Fonts — usually embedded/subset, but custom fonts can be substituted
- Images — All graphics included
- Tables — Structure and formatting
- Headers/Footers — Page numbers, dates
- Page layout — Margins, orientation, size
- Hyperlinks — Clickable in the PDF
Track Changes
If your DOCX has Track Changes, decide what you want before you convert. Some people want a “clean final” PDF. Others want a review PDF that still shows markup. If you’re aiming for a clean final, accept changes and remove comments first (or use an “accept tracked changes” option if your converter provides it). If you’re not sure, convert once and double‑check the output before you send it to a client.
How to convert
- Go to TinyUtils Document Converter
- Upload your .docx file
- Choose PDF from output options
- Click Convert
- Download your PDF
Quick QA before you send it to someone
Conversions usually work, but “usually” isn’t what you want when you’re emailing a client or submitting paperwork. Do a 60‑second scan:
- Page count: does it match what you expect?
- Headers/footers: are page numbers and dates where they should be?
- Fonts: look for weird substitutions (spacing shifts are the giveaway).
- Images: check any diagrams/logos didn’t drop out or move.
- Links: click one or two if they matter.
About fonts
Fonts are the main reason PDFs sometimes “look different” across systems. If your DOCX uses standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times), you’re usually fine. If it uses a custom font, the converter may substitute something close — which can shift line breaks and page counts.
If the exact layout matters (contracts, print layouts, anything with strict page counts), try to stick to common fonts and keep your margins conservative. And if you can, compare your converted PDF to a “Save as PDF” export from Word once — it’s a good baseline for what the document is supposed to look like.
Page breaks, sections, and “why did this move?”
Word documents can have section breaks, different headers per section, columns, and other layout features that aren’t obvious until they break. If your PDF looks off:
- Check section breaks: they can change margins/orientation mid‑doc.
- Watch for tables near page edges: they’re the easiest thing to reflow badly.
- Try exporting from Word once: if you have access to Word, it’s a good “gold standard” for layout.
Multiple documents
Have a folder of Word files? Upload them all. Get a ZIP of PDFs — one per document.
File sizes
PDF file size depends on:
- Images — High-res photos = larger PDFs
- Fonts — Embedded fonts add size
- Complexity — More formatting = slightly larger
In practice: documents with lots of high‑res images will produce bigger PDFs. Text‑only docs usually stay small.
Why not "Save as PDF" in Word?
- You don't have Word installed
- You're on a phone or tablet
- You need to batch convert
- You don't want to open potentially unsafe DOCX files
FAQ
Can I edit the PDF afterward?
PDFs are meant to be final. Use PDF to DOCX if you need to edit.
Will passwords or protection be preserved?
Password-protected DOCX files need to be unlocked first. The resulting PDF is unprotected.
What about macros?
Macros are stripped. PDFs don't execute code.
Does this work with .doc (old format)?
Best results with .docx. For .doc files, open in Word first and save as .docx, then convert.
Other conversions
Next steps
Need to turn a Word doc into a PDF? Open TinyUtils Document Converter, upload your DOCX, and download the PDF.
Double-check page breaks and links.