Open the file in its authoring application and select File > Print.
Last updated on
Sep 23, 2025
Learn how to create PDFs by printing your documents to the Adobe PDF printer from any application that supports printing.
You can create PDFs from various applications by using the Print command with the Adobe PDF printer. This method converts your file to PDF without needing to open Acrobat.
The Adobe PDF printer creates untagged PDFs. A tagged structure is required for reflowing content to a handheld device and is preferable for producing reliable results with a screen reader.
Windows
From the Printer menu, select Adobe PDF.
Select Printer Properties (or Preferences in some cases) to choose a default setting or customize the settings.
Note
In some applications, you may need to select Setup in the Print dialog box to open the list of printers, and then select Properties or Preferences.
Select Print.
Choose a name and location for your PDF file in the dialog box that opens.
Note
For Microsoft Office documents on Windows, use PDFMaker to create bookmarks and hyperlinks, as the Adobe PDF printer doesn't include these features.
macOS
Open the file in its authoring application and select File > Print.
Select Save as Adobe PDF from the PDF menu at the bottom of the dialog box.
For the Adobe PDF Settings option, select a default setting or customize one using Distiller.
Any custom settings you’ve created will also appear in the list.
Under the After PDF Creation option, choose whether you want the PDF to open automatically.
Select Continue.
Choose a name and location for your PDF and select Save.
By default, your PDF is saved with the same filename and a .PDF extension.
Note
PDF creation steps may vary by macOS version. The Print command works differently in macOS Snow Leopard v10.6 and earlier. Refer to your system documentation for details.
