How do you make a .pdf file? (without Powerpoint)?

Answer 1

There are several free programs that will convert a word document to a .pdf; Powerpoint files are different, with the filename .ppt.
A pdf is a document that can be read, but not altered. It stands for Portable Document Format.
A powerpoint document is a slideshow used for presentations.

Try Open Office; it is free and legal. It has a Powerpoint style program that is compatible with Microsoft Powerpoint - a document made in one can be read by the other.
If its a pdf you need, try PDF 995; its small and free. Follow the instructions for the download and instllation. You can oay to get rid of the adverts; they appear as it convert the document but don't appear in your finished doc.

Answer 2

The easiest way I have found to make a pdf document is to use open office, when you have done want you want with it you simply export (instead of save) to a pdf file.

If you then look at this file it will have a adobe logo on it, I have heard that you can do the same with the modern versions of word but why pay for something when you can get something just as good for free.

http://www.openoffice.org/

Answer 3

You need Acrobat Distiller.
Its like a print driver. Once installed, you just print the document using the 'special' pdf printer and save the output to a pdf file.

Acrobat reader just views pdf files.

Answer 4

A list of PDF viewers and creators is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PDF_software.

Although Adobe invented the PDF specification, they do not exclusively produce readers and writers for files using that format. The Acrobat suite is good but expensive.

Answer 5

You need Adobe Acrobat. (It does not need to be the professional version.) PowerPoint is unnecessary to create a .pdf file.

Answer 6

You need adobe acrobat software.

Once installed, go file > print > adobe pdf

The document will then be made into a pdf.

Answer 7

Free PDF Creator - PrimoPDF

Information URL: http://www.primopdf.com/

Convert to PDF from any application by simply 'printing' to the PrimoPDF printer - it couldn't be easier! Within minutes, you can create high-quality PDFs by converting from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and virtually any other printable file type.

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* NEW! Secure PDFs with 40-/128-bit encryption, allowing the highest level of security for your PDF files. Settings include password to open, password to change, disable printing, disable text/graphics copying, disable commenting, disable text editing, disable page addition.
* NEW! Add document information (e.g. title, author, subject, keywords) to converted PDF files, resulting in faster and easier searching of PDF documents.

Easy PDF

Information URL: http://www.visagesoft.com/easypdf/ Easy PDF is a specialized WYSIWYG environment for quickly and easily creating Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) documents. Easy PDF provides all the power to create sophisticated PDF documents, and apply links/hypertext on the final document.

Also:-
Open Office has an extremely good free to use and distribute product at http://www.openoffice.org

It contains programmes fully functional in Word-processing, Database, Spreadsheets, Drawing and Presentation. It looks and feels like Microsoft Office and can even make PDF's
OpenOffice.org is more than a collection of five superb tools.
Unlike some competitors, this suite was not created from a collection of separate pieces of software. From the start, it was designed as one complete office package.
All the packages have a similar 'look and feel' making them very easy to use, with common 'learn once use everywhere' tools like the Styles and Formatting. OpenOffice.org takes its 'look and feel' from your computer - if you change your desktop, OpenOffice.org will change to match.
The same tools are used consistently across the suite - for example, the tools you use to work with graphics within Writer are also found in Impress and Draw.
You don't need to know which application was used to create a particular file - you can 'File Open' any OpenOffice.org file from anywhere and the correct application will be launched.
All the packages share a common spell-checker, etc.; and if you change an 'Option' in one package, it's changed in them all.
Information can be transferred easily between all the packages.
All the components save in OpenDocument format, the new international standard for office documents. This XML based format offers substantial disk savings compared to common competitors' formats. It also means you can access your data from any OpenDocument compliant software.
All the packages are installed in one single operation, using the installation process you are used to on your computer.
All the packages are released under the same open licensing model - there are no hidden charges now or in the future.
Everything you need in an office productivity suite

Answer 8

There are various freeware programs that can create .pdf files. These usually load up a dummy print driver that creates the file.

Screen grab from Traction Software lets you capture all or part of your screen and save it as a .pdf .bmp or jpeg.

Answer 9

I'd follow Tom F's advice and download CutePDF rather than alternative free PDF creators such as Primo
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/CutePDF_Writer/cutepdf.html

It is easy to use, has no nags to upgrade to pro version and does not watermark your files:it will install as a virtual printer so that when you hit print you will have a selection of printers to choose from; just treat it as a real printer!

Answer 10

Here's a web link that can convert any document to a .pdf file ...but only restriction ...it's 1MB ...just another option you can use. Along with the other goods one mentioned from the other respected people.