I’ve often been asked, ‘how do I create a PDF’ file. I always reply with the same answer - it’s easy, use PrimoPDF. I figured I had to write this down since I was asked twice within several hours today.
Creating a document from content you’ve already created that will display in Adobe Reader is actually quite simple! Why should you convert your documents to PDF? Well, the two main reasons I convert documents to PDF are (1) Lessens the liklihood of someone changing the document on you and then passing it on to someone else (2) Creates a standard format to all viewers. You don’t have to worry if the recipients will have the fonts you used, or if the margins display correctly. Once the document is made into a PDF, all fonts, all pictures, all paragraph spacing will look the same on every computer that views the document. This is a major reason to consider converting documents to PDF before sending them out.
Alright, alright - so how is it done? Well, I’ll leave all the nitty gritty details to the developers documentation, but I have used for years and strongly reccommend the creation powers of PrimoPDF! You can download the easy (and free) converter, run the quick install - and BAM, you’re set to print to PDF. After the utility is installed you can go to virtually ANY document you have (Word, Excel, photos, Visio, etc) and go to File > Print, from there you should find a printer titled PrimoPDF. After you select this option and choose print, a dialog box will open asking you where you want to save the document, what you want to title it, and what it will be used for. It’s as easy as that - if you have any questions, let me know - for now it sounds like its time to start making some PDF’s!