How to Convert a Document to PDF on Mac

The majority of contemporary image editors and word processors have a PDF conversion feature. The secret is to know which menu items to select in order to export a file as a PDF. You might be forced to use the Save As option in one app while using the Export menu in another. In many situations, you can get good results just by selecting FILE > EXPORT from the app’s menu bar. Another frequently used menu item that functions similarly to Export is Save As. You should be able to choose PDF as the format before saving in almost all word processors and image editors. Alternatively, you can use the PRINT menu to create a PDF, which should work in almost all cases as a more universal approach. While every app has a different interface, most print windows have a SAVE AS PDF or SAVE TO PDF button once you select FILE > PRINT. PRINT > SAVE AS PDF can be the best option if you can’t find a conversion method elsewhere. If all else fails and you need to convert a file that is an image, you can accomplish the task using the Quick Actions menu in Finder.

Let’s examine why saving a document as a PDF on a Mac is not possible.

You might not be able to save your edited PDF document for a number of reasons. The most typical ones are as follows:

  • This might occur if the PDF editor you’re using doesn’t work with the document or doesn’t get along with other running programs on your computer.
  • Additionally, it’s possible that you changed some of the document’s or the application’s settings, blocking certain operations like saving.
  • You might need to unlock the restricted document you are attempting to edit before you can save it.
  • The ability of PDF files to be saved on your Mac or Windows computer may have been inhibited by another program or process. An outdated firmware version on your system could also be the cause of this issue.
  • It is possible that your system has blocked the PDF editing program you are currently using. It’s possible that your anti-virus program has identified the PDF editor as a potential threat.
  • If the file is corrupt, you might also not be able to save it.

Now let’s explore whether Macs have PDF converters.

PDFelement for Mac is among the greatest PDF converters available for Mac. Over 350,000 business professionals worldwide trust it to help them maximize their productivity. With PDFelement, you can convert PDFs to a wide range of other file formats, such as images, text, HTML, and Microsoft Office formats. PDFelement has features like batch processing and OCR technology, and it supports the most recent version of macOS 11 Big Sur. Another PDF converter for Mac that is regarded as the greatest is Adobe® Acrobat® DC Pro. Advanced features, the ability to create and merge PDFs, and the ability to add or remove pages from an existing PDF are all included with Adobe® Acrobat® DC Pro. The built-in default PDF converter for macOS is called Preview for Mac, and it lets you edit and view images in addition to PDF files. Forms can be filled out, documents can be digitally signed, and hyperlinks can be added and edited within PDF files using Preview’s features.