What’s the best way to create a PDF?
You create a PDF by converting other documents and resources to Portable Document Format. You can usually choose from several PDF creation methods, depending on the type of file you start with and your requirements for the PDF.
You can create PDFs from documents printed on paper, Microsoft Word documents, InDesign® files, and digital images, to name just a few examples. Different types of sources have different tools available for PDF conversion. In many applications, you can create PDFs by selecting the Adobe PDF printer in the Print dialog box.
If a file is open in its authoring application (such as a spreadsheet that is open in Microsoft Excel), you can usually convert the file to PDF without opening Adobe Acrobat. Similarly, if Acrobat is already open, you don’t have to open the authoring application to convert a file to PDF.
Every PDF strikes a balance between efficiency (small file size) and quality (such as resolution and color). When that balance is critical to your task, you’ll want to use a method that includes access to various conversion options.
For example, you can drag files to the Acrobat icon to create PDFs. In this case, Acrobat applies the most recently used conversion settings without providing access to those settings. If you want more control over the process, you’ll want to use another method.
Create menu or Tools > Create PDF
Within Acrobat, by choosing PDF from Scanner. Or, for previously scanned paper documents, by choosing PDF from File.
PDFMaker (Windows only)
Within the authoring application, in the Acrobat PDFMaker toolbar and on theAdobe PDF menu. For Microsoft Office 2007 or later applications, in the Acrobat or Adobe PDF ribbon.
PDFMaker (Windows only)
Within Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes, by clicking Acrobat PDFMaker toolbar buttons. Or by choosing commands in the Adobe PDF menu (Outlook) or the Actions menu (Lotus Notes).
Adobe PDF printer (Windows only)
Within the email application, in the Print dialog box. Creates a PDF (not aPDF Portfolio).
Context menu (Outlook 2007 or later)
On an email folder or selection of messages, by right-clicking.
PDFMaker (Windows only)
Within Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Firefox, or when editing in a web-authoring application that supports PDFMaker, such as Word. Also, in the Acrobat PDFMaker toolbar and on theAdobe PDF menu.
Adobe PDF printer (Windows 7)
Within a web browser or when editing in a web-authoring application, such as Word; in the Print dialog box.
File > Create > PDF from File or Tools > Create PDF (single file)
Within Acrobat, by choosing PDF from File.
Drag and drop
On the desktop or from a folder, by dragging to the Acrobat Distiller icon or into the Acrobat Distiller® window.
You can select various settings to ensure that your PDF has the best balance between file size, resolution, conformity to specific standards, and other factors. Which settings you select depends on your goals for the PDF that you are creating. For example, a PDF intended for high-quality commercial printing requires different settings than a PDF intended only for onscreen viewing and quick downloading over the Internet.
Once selected, these settings apply across PDFMaker, Acrobat, and Acrobat Distiller. However, some settings are limited to specific contexts or file types. For example, PDFMaker options can vary among the different types of Microsoft Office applications.
For convenience, you can select one of the conversion presets available in Acrobat. You can also create, define, save, and reuse custom presets that are uniquely suited to your purposes.
For scanned documents, you can choose from Autodetect Color Mode or several scanning presets that are optimized for scanning documents and images in color or black and white. You can modify these presets, or use your own custom scanning settings.
