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How to Save Word Document as PDF on Android (Step-by-Step)

September 13, 2023 13.1K views

In an era of digital communication, preserving your written work’s integrity is vital. The question is on the minds of many: “How to Save Word Docs as PDF on Android?” Yet, many people don't know that their Android devices can save PDFs from Word files and simplify their lives. This guide will unpack various methods, streamline the process, and provide a free and easy alternative to the typical software.

Introduction

Android devices are pretty popular among consumers. As the owner of an Android device, you may wonder how to save Word Docs as PDFs on Android when dealing with documents on the go.

Well, you aren’t alone. Many other consumers have also wondered how to save Word as PDF on Android devices. This article will help you answer these questions to make using your Android devices more accessible.

In this guide, we will provide a detailed step-by-step process of how to save Word Doc as PDF on Android. We will also show you how to convert Word to PDF on your phone for free while on the move. Lastly, we will highlight a free alternative that you can use that is hassle-free and flexible.

How to Save a Word Document as PDF on an Android Phone

To learn the process of how to save Word Doc as PDF on Android devices, follow the steps below:

Step 1: With Microsoft Word open on your Android device, open the file you want to save as a PDF. Then, tap “File” on your device or the “File” icon indicated by the three dots in the top right corner.

Step 2: Once the file tab is open, select “Print”.

Step 3: If the option has not already been chosen, select “Save as PDF” from the drop-down list, then select “Save”.

Step 4: Select the location on your Android device where you want the PDF document to be saved. You can change the name if you wish. Then, select “Save”.

Saving Word documents as PDFs on Android is quite simple. The interface of Microsoft has improved to make it easy for users to save documents simply without going through various steps and not even knowing where the document is saved.

Using Microsoft Word on an Android device is now easier than ever. It can still be tricky to locate the file once it is saved. But overall, knowing how to save a Word document as a PDF on Android devices is a simple process.

Convert Word Document to PDF on Android

Follow this step-by-step process to convert a Word document to PDF on Android devices:

Method 1: Using Word on Android

Step 1: Open the document that you want to convert to PDF in Word on your Android device. Once it is open, select “File” indicated by the three-dot menu in the editing ribbon at the top of your workspace.

Step 2: From the menu that appears, select “Print”.

Step 3: From the drop-down menu that appears, under “Format”, select “Save as PDF” if it is not already selected. Otherwise, you can skip this step.

Step 4: Next, select “Save” at the bottom of the window, and another window will appear.

Step 5: Select the location on your device where you want the new PDF file to be saved. When you have selected the site, name the document and select “Save.’’  The name of the PDF usually stays the same as the original Word document. So, renaming it can help avoid confusion.

Method 2: Using the Smallpdf Mobile App

Step 1: Open or download the Smallpdf app it from the Google Play Store. It is a popular and highly-rated free app that easily converts files.

Step 2: Select the “+” sign on the screen's bottom.

Then, select “Files”, which can be found next to an icon of a folder on the far right. From here, select “Add from files”.

Step 3: Select the DOCX file you want to convert to PDF.

Step 4: Select the three-dot menu icon next to the document.

Step 5: Select “Convert to PDF” from the menu that appears. The PDF version of your file will then appear in the list. From there, you can download or share the converted document with other people.

Method 3: Using Google Drive

Step 1: Open the Google Drive mobile app. It can easily be downloaded from the Google Play Store if you do not have it.

Step 2: When you open the app, tap the “+” sign in the bottom right corner of the screen. Then, select “Upload” to upload your document to Google Drive to convert it.

Step 3: Select the DOCX file you want to convert to upload it to your Google Drive.

Step 4: Select the three-dot menu next to your file once it has finished uploading. Then, from the available options in the menu, select “Print”.

Step 5: If it is not already selected, choose “Save as PDF” from the drop-down menu, and it will be converted from a .docx file to a .pdf file.

Step 6: Select the “Save to PDF” icon resembling a ‘download’ icon. You will be prompted to save the file locally on your Android device. Select “Save” when you have selected the location to store the converted document.

Using the different methods, the best one that emerged was Method 1: Using Word on Android. It proved the easiest method to convert a Word document to PDF without uploading it to third-party sites.

This method made the process simple. Method 2 and Method 3 are good alternatives, but ultimately, Method 1 proved far superior in ease and simplicity.

WPS Office: Best Free Alternative

What is WPS Office?

There are other alternatives on how to save Word docs as PDFs on Android devices. A free and better alternative has been made possible with WPS Office, which is also compatible with Android and iOS operating systems.

WPS Office is similar to Microsoft Office. Applications such as PDF, Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentations are similar to their Microsoft counterparts. In addition, the user interface is also quite similar, making it easier for users to utilize the software without having to learn anything new.

Some of the standout features of WPS Office include

  • Microsoft Office compatibility to open, edit, and save documents in different formats.

  • Free Office suite with essential applications like PDF, Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheets

  • Cloud integration with cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive

  • User-friendly interface, making it simple for users to adapt to the software quickly.

If you feel Microsoft Office 2021 is expensive, you can join the more than 500 Million WPS office users worldwide by downloading it for free.

Save a Word Document as PDF on Android WPS Office

To save a Word document as a PDF on Android in WPS, use the following step-by-step guide to download and use it for free:

Step 1. Go to the Google Play Store and search “WPS Office + PDF app download”. Then, select “Install” to start downloading the app onto your Android device.

Step 2: After the download, open the app and select the Word document you want to save as a PDF.

Step 3: Select the “Export to PDF” tab once the Word document opens. Then, in the Export to PDF dialog box, select your desired options then select “Export to PDF” to begin the process.

Step 4: The document will open in PDF once it is saved.

Personally, using WPS Office to save a Word document as a PDF on Android was the simplest of all the methods. The steps required are minimal, the prompts are straightforward, and the document is saved in a matter of seconds and is of excellent quality.

To know how to save Word docs as PDFs on Android devices using WPS Office, the steps above provide much assistance. The software is compatible with Microsoft Office, but it is much simpler and cheaper. More than 500 million people have been satisfied with that software, and we understand why.

FAQs

1.  How to convert PDF to Word on Android?

To convert PDF to Word on Android, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: On our Android devices, we should go to the Google Play Store and download and open the Microsoft Office app.

Step 2: Once the Microsoft Office app has been downloaded, we must create an account or sign in to an existing one.

Step 3: Once the Microsoft Office app is open and we have signed in to our account, we can select the “File” icon in the top right corner. Then, select “This Device” and grant any permissions if required.

Step 4: From the available options, we can select the location where the document is saved (“Download” in this example) and open it once we have found it.

Step 5: Once the PDF document is open, we select the three dots in the top right corner of the app, and from the available options in the pop-up menu, select “Convert to Word”.

Step 6: Once the conversion process is complete, the document will open in Word, and we can.

2. Can I save a Word document as a PDF on my iPhone?

Yes, we can. We can follow the above steps in the ‘How to Save a Word Document as PDF on an Android Phone’ section.

3. Can I convert a Word document to a PDF on my phone?

Yes, we can. Follow the steps in the ‘Convert Word Document to PDF on Android’ section.

4. Why can't I save my Word doc as a PDF?

If we get an error when trying to save Word Doc as PDF, we must use the “Save As” option from the available options before clicking “Save.’’ We should ensure that we choose the PDF option in the "Save As" window.

5. How do I convert a Word document to a PDF app?

WPS Office is an easy app that helps convert a Word document to PDF. It has a free plan and is compatible with Microsoft Office, making it the best option to save Word documents as PDF.

6. Can I use Microsoft Word on my Android phone?

Yes, we can. To install Word on an Android device, we can go to the Play Store and search for “office.” Then, download the “Microsoft Office” app onto our device.

Final Words

In conclusion, it should be noted that saving and converting Word documents to PDF is a simple process. The only real work to be done is to find an excellent option to make this happen that works for you. Microsoft Word, Smallpdf, and Google Drive are convenient options for many people.

However, some of these software are limited and aren’t the cheapest to pay for. The best option we have found is WPS Office. It is free, compatible with Microsoft Office, and easily converts Word documents to PDF for all users.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.