Using PDFCreator to Convert Word Documents into PDF Files

Download and install the free program, PDFCreator, as directed by your computer Install Wizard.

Once installed, open the PDFCreator program. Click the "Add" button on the toolbar that looks like a piece of paper with a blue cross on it. You can also click "Documents" and then "Add". A box will open up for you to find the Word document you want to convert to a PDF.

NOTE: You may have to change the "Files of type:" to "All Files" before you can see any Word documents in the new window.

Select the Word document you want to convert and click "Open". Microsoft Word will open briefly and then close, and you will see this box open up in PDFCreator.

You can change the name of the document, if you wish. You can also modify the date, author, subject and keywords. If you want Adobe to open the new PDF file immediately after it has been created, check the box that says, "After saving open the document with the default program."

When you are ready to convert, click "Save". A new box will open that will ask you where you want to save your new PDF. Choose the location and click "Save".

You will then be prompted to choose an "Owner Password". This is important to have because it will lock your new PDF file so no one will be able to modify it later, unless they have the password. Choose your password and type it in both boxes (Password and Repeat), and then click "OK".

NOTE: I recommend choosing the same password for every PDF you create so you won't have to remember multiple passwords in case you need to modify a document at a later time.

NOTE 2: Check the "Save password" box if you plan on converting several documents before closing PDFCreator. It will save you some time. PDFCreator will convert the document and open it with Adobe.

When you are finished, close PDFCreator by clicking the "X" in the top-right corner of the screen.