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How to Download Google Docs as PDF Instead of Word
Question details
The user wants to download Google Documents as PDF files instead of Microsoft Word documents and needs to ensure they open in a PDF viewer rather than Word.
- Product
- Google Docs
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Downloading documents from Google Docs and opening them locally on a computer.
- Observed behavior
- Files are either being downloaded in DOCX format by default, or downloaded PDFs are incorrectly opening in Microsoft Word instead of a dedicated PDF reader.
Ensure you have a dedicated PDF reader software installed on your computer, such as WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat Reader, before changing your default file associations.
Download Directly as a PDF from Google Docs
Use the built-in export feature in Google Docs to save your file directly as a PDF format instead of the default Word format.
Google Docs natively supports exporting documents into various formats. By selecting PDF during the download process, you bypass the default Microsoft Word (.docx) format entirely.
Navigate to Google Docs and open the specific document you want to download.
Click on 'File' located in the top-left corner of the Google Docs menu bar.
Hover your mouse over the 'Download' option to reveal a submenu of available file formats.
Click on 'PDF Document (.pdf)'. The file will immediately begin downloading to your computer's default downloads folder.
Change the Default Application for PDF Files
If your downloaded PDF files are still automatically opening in Microsoft Word, you need to change your operating system's default app settings for PDF files.
View, Edit, and Manage Downloaded PDFs with WPS Office
Make WPS Office your default application to effortlessly open, read, and edit PDFs downloaded from Google Docs. As a comprehensive office suite, it provides a superior PDF reading experience while maintaining full compatibility with all your document needs.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your PC or Mac.
- 2. Set as Default PDF Viewer: During installation, check the box to set WPS Office as your default PDF reader, or change it manually in your system settings.
- 3. Open Your Document: Double-click any PDF downloaded from Google Docs to instantly view and edit it within the WPS Office interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my downloaded PDFs keep opening in Microsoft Word?
This happens when your operating system designates Microsoft Word as the default application for the .pdf file type. You can resolve this by right-clicking a PDF file, selecting 'Properties' (or 'Get Info' on Mac), and changing the 'Opens with' application to a dedicated PDF viewer.
Can I download multiple Google Docs as PDFs at once?
Google Drive does not natively support downloading multiple files as PDFs simultaneously. If you select multiple Google Docs and click Download, Drive will zip them into Word (.docx) format by default. You must open and download them as PDFs individually.
Does downloading a Google Doc as a PDF preserve formatting?
Yes. Exporting a Google Document directly to PDF locks in the layout, fonts, margins, and images exactly as they appear in your browser, ensuring the document looks identical on any device or operating system.
How do I choose where my PDF downloads are saved?
You can change this in your web browser's settings. In Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, go to Settings, search for 'Downloads', and toggle on the option to 'Ask where to save each file before downloading'. This allows you to save PDFs directly to your Desktop or a specific folder.
