Saving a PowerPoint file as a PDF document can make sharing easier since it removes heavy elements such as transitions, animations, and embedded videos to make the document lightweight and print-friendly. If you have been wondering how to save a PowerPoint as a PDF, there are multiple ways to convert PowerPoint to PDF using your Windows or Mac computer, Android or iOS devices, and an Internet-connected browser with PowerPoint for the web. Saving your presentations to PDF can help in a variety of business situations, for example to generate PDF handouts, or presentation-ready PDF reports. In this article, we explore some of these ways.
How to Save PowerPoint as PDF on Mac and Windows
The desktop version of the PowerPoint app for Windows or Mac computers has various similar options for saving a PowerPoint to PDF. If you want to convert PowerPoint to PDF in Windows, follow the steps below:
Save File as PDF to a Specified Location
The easiest method to convert your PowerPoint presentation a PDF on Windows or Mac is via File > Save As.
This will provide you with a list of destinations in your computer and the cloud to save your file. This includes your computer, OneDrive account, or a location you can specify, such as your Box account or at Egnyte.
Once you have picked a location to save your file, select PDF from the Save as type drop-down menu and select Save.
Print PowerPoint to PDF
Another method to save a PowerPoint such as a .pptx or .ppt file to PDF is to go to File > Print and select Microsoft Print to PDF instead of a printer from the Printer drop-down menu.
Once you have selected Microsoft Print to PDF instead of a printer device, click Print to generate your PDF file and save it to your specified location on your computer.
Export PowerPoint as PDF and with Accessibility Features
You can export a PowerPoint file as a PDF with accessibility features via File > Export > Create PDF/XPS. There is also an option to Investigate Accessibility which can be used to check if the document is user-friendly for persons with disabilities.
Save PowerPoint File as PDF as Email Attachment
To instantly share your PowerPoint presentation via email as a PDF attachment, go to File > Share and select PDF.
How to Save PowerPoint as PDF on PowerPoint for the Web
PowerPoint for the web enables users to use an Internet browser to view, create, and edit PowerPoint files online. To save your PowerPoint slide deck as a PDF file, you can download or print your file as a PDF.
Download the PowerPoint File as a PDF
By going to File > Save As and selecting Download as PDF, you can download a copy of your slide deck as a PDF file using PowerPoint for the web.
Your file should instantly start downloading once you select the option mentioned above. In case the download does not start, use the onscreen Download button.
Print PowerPoint File as PDF
To print a PowerPoint file as PDF, go to File > Print and select Print Full Page Slides.
Select Save as PDF instead of a printing device and click Print to save your document.
How to Save PowerPoint as PDF on Android, iPhone, and iPad
If you’re wondering how to turn a PowerPoint into a PDF document on a mobile device, such as by using the Android or iOS app for PowerPoint, below are a few easy conversion methods.
Share PowerPoint as PDF Document
You can save your presentation as a PDF file by tapping on Share and selecting Full Document from the PowerPoint mobile app.
Print PowerPoint as PDF
Like the desktop version and PowerPoint for the web, you can also print your slides as a PDF file by tapping the three dots from the top of the PowerPoint mobile app, followed by Print. Select Save as PDF and select a location on your mobile device to save your PDF file.
How to Save PowerPoint as PDF using Third-Party Apps
With the help of third-party mobile, desktop, and web apps, you can easily convert PowerPoint presentations to PDF format.
Google Slides
If you don’t have PowerPoint and want to save a PPT to PDF, upload it to Google Slides via File > Download PDF Document. Alternatively, you can learn how to convert a PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides.
PowerPoint to PDF Conversion Apps
Numerous third-party tools can convert PowerPoint to PDF, including online PPT to PDF converters like CloudConvert, ZamZar, SmallPDF, and iLovePDF. Similarly, various apps can be used for this purpose: Adobe Acrobat, Win2PDF, SmallPDF, Wondershare PDF Element, PDF Converter by Readdle for iOS, PDF Creator – PowerPoint edition for iOS by Cometdocs, PowerPoint to PDF for Android by Cometdocs, etc. Many of these apps also come with additional features, such as the ability to lock, compress, password protect, and merge PDF files, as well as to fetch a file via Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and other cloud storage services.
PowerPoint’s native app can help you easily convert your presentation files using Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, or an iPad device. However, if you don’t have PowerPoint installed on your device, using Google Slides, online converters, and third-party apps can be a convenient way to convert your PowerPoint Templates to PDF files. Alternatively, check our article about how to present a PDF like a PowerPoint.
FAQs
Saving a PowerPoint as a PDF is useful for sharing because it makes the file lightweight by removing transitions, animations, and videos, making it print-friendly and accessible on various devices.
To save a PowerPoint as a PDF on Windows, go to File > Save As, choose your desired location, and select PDF from the Save as type drop-down menu. Click Save to complete the conversion.
On Mac, go to File > Save As, choose your destination folder, select PDF as the file type, and click Save. Alternatively, you can use File > Print > Save as PDF.
Yes, in PowerPoint for the web, go to File > Save As and select Download as PDF to download your presentation as a PDF.
On the PowerPoint mobile app, tap Share, choose Full Document, and select PDF as the output format. Alternatively, go to Print, select Save as PDF, and choose a location to save your file.
Yes, you can upload your PowerPoint file to Google Slides and save it as a PDF by going to File > Download > PDF Document.
Yes, some interactive elements like animations, transitions, and embedded media won’t appear in the PDF version, as it’s converted to a static document.
