Want to learn how to create a PDF file on a Mac? It’s clear that PDF has gained a universal appeal – so here’s your simple how to guide.
Since its introduction in 1993, the PDF file continues to be one of the most well-loved file formats to date. Businesses from various industries benefit from the PDF format in many ways. Some even consider it as the most important file format in the world.
And if you recently switched from Windows PC to Mac, you may be wondering how to create a PDF file on your new computer. There are different ways to make a PDF on Mac. Each one having its own set of steps.
Continue reading below as we teach you how to create a PDF file on Mac computers in the most efficient ways possible.
As we mentioned earlier, there are different ways of creating a PDF file on Mac computers. Some involve more steps than others. But generally, learning how to make a PDF file on Mac is easy.
Let’s take a look at the different methods of going from editor to pdf and creating a PDF file. Below are the steps that you need to follow:
Let’s start with the most basic way of creating a PDF file on Mac, which is creating a blank PDF. To create one in the fastest way possible, you must first download PDF Expert. This software is a PDF editor that lets you create and edit PDF files, among other things.
Download PDF Expert’s free trial version and open the software. Press Command + N. You may also click “File” then go to “New File.”
Any of these two steps will give you a blank paper that you can, later on, save in PDF form. There, you can write anything you want. You may also add images, shapes, or draw using a pen tool.
In case you want to create a PDF form from an existing document, you need to convert it first. If you are using the OS X system, open the document you wish to convert into PDF. Make sure the document is in its native app.
This means that if the document is on Word, you need to perform the conversion from Word. If it is a web page that you wish to convert, open the webpage on Safari.
To perform the conversion, you need to access the Print dialog. Go to the “File” menu and look for the Print dialog. You may also access it by pressing Command + P on your keyboard.
Thereafter, look for the PDF controls at the lower-left corner of the Print dialog. Click the PDF controls to open a menu of options. Find and click “Save as PDF” on Mac to save the document in PDF form.
Another important aspect you need to consider is “Security Options.” You will see this tab when you are ready to name and save the file. These options allow you to set passwords and apply other security layers on your PDF documents.
You may also convert and combine images and documents into one PDF form. To do this, you need to use Mac’s Preview.
Let’s work on a text file as an example. Convert the text file using the steps for the Print dialog. But this time, select “Open PDF in Preview” from the PDF options.
To add other files, drag the next file into Preview’s sidebar. Continue dragging the files that you wish to consolidate into a single PDF. Thereafter, hit Command + S on your keyboard to save your new PDF.
Keep in mind that once you convert the document in Preview, you can no longer edit it. You can only add and combine existing files.
You can also check out this guide to learn other methods on how to combine PDF files on Mac computers.
One of the fastest ways to create a PDF file on your Mac from Microsoft Office is through the Wondershare PDF creator. After downloading this PDF editor, select the files that you wish to convert.
Drag and drop these files into the Wondershare application. You may also click the “Add Folder” option or select “Add Files.”
After uploading the files, go to the bottom-right corner of the window and click “Create.” From there, you may modify the files if need be. After applying your modifications, press Command + S on your keyboard to save the file in PDF format.
Other document processors can do this as well. For example, you can create a PDF file based on an existing document file on Google Docs, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice. They all have different steps to achieve this but it boils down to saving the document as a PDF.
If you have tools like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, or the browser-based tool Adobe Spark, you can create PDFs quickly. These tools allow you to save a file as a PDF. This comes in handy, especially if you use InDesign or Photoshop in creating promotional materials that require high-resolution images. Professionals opt for these tools nowadays, and if you need help in figuring out how to use them, then you can always look for Adobe InDesign courses to gain in-depth knowledge and a wider understanding of this tool.
The good news is Adobe offers multiple payment ladders. You could get the whole package, which also includes apps like Premiere Pro and After Effects, or you can go for something cheaper but also grants the license for one specific app. If you only need InDesign to design PDF files, for example, you can opt for that payment option instead of buying everything.
There are also online conversion tools that allow you to turn any document into a basic PDF. You won’t get any bookmarks or fillable forms this way but it’s a quick solution for those who need to convert a Notepad file or something similar into a PDF file.
Learning how to create a PDF file on Mac computers is essential for any Mac user. It is easy to do and the benefits are plenty. If you want more help with software or online marketing, check out my Brand Honey Consulting Program here.
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