File Format & Compatibility

How to Save a PDF in the Same Folder as Your Word Document

WPS Editor Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to save an exported Adobe PDF directly into the original Word document's folder rather than the last accessed directory.

How to Save a PDF in the Same Folder as Your Word Document

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting or saving an active Word document as a PDF file.
Observed behavior: The Adobe PDF save dialog automatically defaults to the last used folder instead of the directory containing the currently open Word document.

Before you start

Ensure your Word document has already been saved to your desired folder location before attempting to export or save it as a PDF.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Classic Save As Dialog Shortcut

Bypass the modern save screen by using a keyboard shortcut that opens the traditional Save As dialog, making it easier to select the current document directory.

In Microsoft 365, the default save interface often points to cloud locations or the last used folder. By forcing the classic Save As dialog, you can quickly access the original folder location of your file.

Press the F12 shortcut

With your Word document open, press the F12 key (or Fn+F12 on some laptop keyboards) to instantly open the classic Save As dialog window.

Select the PDF format

In the Save As dialog, click on the 'Save as type' drop-down menu and select 'PDF (*.pdf)' from the list of formats.

Verify folder and save

The dialog should now display the folder where your Word document is currently located. Click 'Save' to generate the PDF in the same directory.

Quick Tip: If you frequently need to save files in the same folder, utilizing the F12 shortcut will save you the time of navigating through multiple directory menus.

Built-in PDF Export

Easily Export to PDF with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a streamlined 'Export to PDF' feature that intuitively handles file locations and guarantees perfect formatting without relying on third-party PDF add-ins or complex dialog boxes.

1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the Word document you wish to convert.
2. Click Export to PDF: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Export to PDF' button.
3. Confirm the save path: The export window will automatically default to the folder where your original document is saved. Simply click 'Export' to finish.

One-click built-in PDF exporterAutomatically suggests the current document directoryFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word save my PDF in a different folder by default?

By default, Office applications and some third-party PDF add-ins are designed to remember the last folder you saved a file into. This is intended to speed up repetitive saving tasks but can cause frustration when you want to keep corresponding files together in their original folder.

Can I permanently change the default save location in Word?

Yes. You can go to File > Options > Save, check the box for 'Save to Computer by default', and specify a default local file location path. However, this applies a global default folder rather than adapting dynamically to every individual document's folder.

Does the F12 shortcut work on macOS?

On Mac keyboards, the F12 key is typically reserved for system features. Instead, you can press Command + Shift + S to trigger the 'Save As' dialog, then choose PDF from the File Format dropdown menu at the bottom of the window.

Document & File Issues