Microsoft Word for Mac is the world’s most popular and widely used text editing application.Since its appearance in 1983, this app developed into comprehensive editing suite that provides a spectacular level of support for users of all levels, from novices and students to the businesses of all sizes, government agencies, and multi-national corporations.

Word and PDF are two of the most popular document formats in the digital world! Even then, you sometimes need to convert Word documents to PDF files, which are basically accepted everywhere. This is when you’d need a Word to PDF Converter.

In our previous article, we covered some of the best free and paid PDF editors out there. And today, we are talking about the best Word to PDF converters for Mac.

The thing with Mac is that you can rely on multiple ways to convert a Word file to PDF. You can use native options, free software, online platforms or dedicated converter tools. Understanding this, we have created a comprehensive list of the best Word to PDF converters for Mac. Some of them aren’t made specifically for Mac, but you can get the job done.

If you have a word file in the email attachment that you need to download as a PDF, simply open that file in Google Chrome, press Cmd + P to bring up the Print Menu. Change the destination to Save it as PDF. Not an intuative assumption, but it works.

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Best Word to PDF Converter For Mac

There is only one effective way to convert Word to PDF in a Mac. The label native means that you don’t have to install or use third-party programs. Everything happens inside the Mac, as long as you have the Word file ready.

#1 Using Preview – Free Native Options

Preview is the default macOS app for opening PDF, Image and even other document files. Turns out, you can use it for converting a Word file to PDF as well. If you want to convert a Word file to PDF quickly, you can count on this method.

To use this, you have to open the Word file using Preview. You can do this by choosing Open With -> Preview from the context menu. Now, you can see the Word document on Preview. You can now go to File -> Export as PDF. Simply choose the destination and the PDF file would be saved.

Where It Fell Short

This process is quite simple but comes with a few downsides.

Preview does not let you convert Word files to PDF in bulk. You have to load all the files one by one and do the conversion. It should also be noted that Preview doesn’t offer the best view of Word file before converting. You can count on this method if you need the quickest and simplest Word to PDF conversion on Mac.

There is a few free Mac software to convert Word to PDF, you know. Some of these are in-built while you can download others. We have, however, chosen the best macOS software to do this job.

#2 Microsoft Word for Mac – Free macOS Software

This assumes that you already have Microsoft Word installed on your Mac. So, if you have created one Word document using MS Word, you can convert the file to PDF using the same software. Compared to Preview, it offers a more seamless workflow, you know.

In order to do this, you have to open the Word file using MS Word on your Mac. Now, go to File > Save As. From the next dialogue box, you can select PDF from the available options. You can also select the desired quality of PDF document. Hit the Save button and the Word file will be converted to PDF.

Where It Fell Short

Once again, you cannot convert Word documents in bulk. This method isn’t also possible if you don’t have MS Word installed. For instance, if you just downloaded a Word document from the Web, you can’t use this option much.

Alternative to MS Word on macOS

Well, there are some other options to do this too. You can use the following methods if you want the easy Word to PDF conversion.

1. You can use Pages app that is already preinstalled on Mac — to open the Word document and Export it to PDF. It’s a great option if you don’t have Word installed on the device.
2. TextEdit on Mac is also a great option. You can open the Word file using TextEdit and choose Export as PDF from the File menu. This option may not, however, render formatting and fonts correctly.

These methods are great when you need a more seamless workflow. The best part about MS Word and Pages is that you can edit the document before actually converting it.

#3 Smallpdf.com – Free Online Word To PDF converter

Smallpdf.com is one of the most effective ways to convert a Word file to PDF and do many other things. It’s actually a complete PDF editing suite that you can access online and doesn’t require your email, unlike many similar services.

Using Smallpdf is simple enough. You can open the website on a Mac browser and drag-and-drop the Word file you want to convert. In seconds, Smallpdf.com will upload the file, convert and provide you a link for download. It even lets you save the PDF file to Google Drive or Dropbox.

Where It Fell Short

Online Word to PDF converters is great. But, not everyone wants to upload confidential files to another server. This is one reason why you may not like this option. Also, this method needs a constant internet connection.

Alternatives

Of course, Smallpdf.com is not the only way to convert a Word document to PDF online. You can use Google Drive for the purpose too. You can upload the file to Google Drive, open it, and select ‘Download as PDF’ from the File option. Once again, this would want you to upload to files to a bigger fish.

So, you can count on the online methods if you are converting something not-so-confidential. On the bright side, you don’t have to install/download anything.

#4 Wondershare PDF Element – Paid Word to PDF Converters

This is the best option when you need more control over Word to PDF conversion. The only point is that you must be ready to pay for these features. Out of the hundreds of PDF suites out there, we have chosen the best few.

Wondershare PDF Element is indeed one of the best choices for converting a Word document to PDF. It has to be noted that the tool can do even better — from editing your PDF files to encrypting them. So, be it any kind of annotation or full editing, Wondershare PDFelement would do the job.

Read our complete PDF Element review here.

Another bigger perk is that you can use Wondershare PDFelement for bulk actions. If you want to batch convert word to pdf in Mac, it’s the best option. The UI too resembles an Office Suite, so that you will not have trouble fitting in.

Where It Fell Short

There is no denying that Wondershare PDFelement is one of the best PDF tools, however, that you have to pay a hefty price for this tool. That having said, you can do all the conversions and editing locally.

Alternatives

Well, there are many other options too when you want to do the same job. For instance, we have the Adobe Acrobat, where you have to pay a hefty price as the subscription fee. On the other hand, when it comes to dedicated tools, the focus is less too. On the bright side, you get a PDF Editing Suite when you try one of these methods. If you do these things part of a professional, it would be great.

The Best Ways to Convert a Word File to PDF?

You have seen four of the most effective ways to convert documents on Word to PDF, we believe. Depending on your requirements and budget, you can pick any of them. For instance, if you just need a simple Word to PDF converter, we’d recommend using the in-built Export option in MS Word. On the other hand, if you are looking for bulk actions and more controls, we think something like PDFelement would make sense. We have not stranded out the solutions so that you have multiple choices here.

We've all used Microsoft Word, the most ubiquitous word processor on the market, at one point in our lives. It still proves to be a staple, especially in education, but there are plenty of competitors vying for our word processing loyalty.

If you aren't a fan of Word, aren't interested in purchasing a full office suite, or you really just need a new, free word processor, check out the best of the best below.

1. Google Docs

Likely the most popular word processor after Microsoft’s own, this list couldn't exist without Google Docs. Docs is available by way of Google Drive, which lets you upload the usual suspects — documents, photos, videos and files — to your 15GB of free storage.

The clean, classic Google design makes Docs easy to use, and it syncs across your devices. Edit as much as you want, and if you change your mind, Docs saves and tracks all your changes from the moment you start typing.

Docs is known as the saving grace of group projects both near and far — see what your teammates are doing in real-time, or easily chat with them in the sidebar.

Be sure to look into the Drive’s many other apps: play with Quickoffice to quickly open and edit Docs on your phone or tablet, Keep to stay organized, Drawings to add visuals, or Sheets to collaborate on spreadsheets.

Download the free Drive app for your iOS or Android device.

2. Textilus — Microsoft Word Edition

Image: Knowtilus

iPad users are probably familiar with Textilus, Knowtilus' flagship word processor. This comprehensive, rich-text app supports more than 32 languages, is often updated and has a variety of formatting options — more than 60 different fonts has to do the trick, right?

Textilus lets you create and edit documents that can be opened in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, Scrivener and Nisus Writer. Insert photos, charts, signatures and drawings. Export your work in various formats, and sync with Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote or Scrivener to stay updated.

Use the snapshot feature to take a picture of the current state of the document. This picture is sent to the app’s snapshots folder, where it can be shared or saved indefinitely.

You can also search directly within the program via Google, Wikipedia or the dictionary, and customize the 25 toolbar buttons for your convenience. Textilus documents are compatible with hundreds of other word processors, such as Pages, Microsoft Word, Notes and more.

3. TextEdit

Image: Apple

Ever since Apple acquired computer company NeXT, it has distributed TextEdit on OS X to replace SimpleText.

Similar in design to PlainText, you simple need to open TextEdit and type away. You can format and lay out the page, create tables and lists, work with HTML, and import images, music and movie files. It automatically corrects spelling as you type, and on OS X Mountain Lion, you can also dictate using TextEdit.

4. Kingsoft Office Writer

Image: Kingsoft Office

Writer is part of the entire Kingsoft Office suite (along with Spreadsheets and Presentation), and it creates documents that are highly compatible with Microsoft Word.

The program supports rich text editing, document encryption, 'night read' mode, picture and table operation, and more. Writer also opens emailed documents in almost every format, and it’s easy to grab files from various locations.

The 2013 release added a sections tab and three different skins, and it made creating an in-text table especially intuitive.

Still, it may not be as elegant and clean-cut as other word processors — take, for example, the oversized toolbar. (It’s recommended that you set the document to full-screen.)

5. Pages

Image: Apple

Apple announced on Sept. 10 that it will give iWork for free with all new iOS devices. That means each newly purchased iPhone, iPad and fifth-generation iPod Touch receives Pages, normally $9.99, free of charge.

And although Pages is primarily geared towards iOS and Mac users, Windows users can use the web version Pages via the excellent iWork for iCloud. On the web users can create, edit and collaborate on documents with many of the same features in the iOS and Mac apps.

Additionally, the company announced at the iPad Air launch event on Oct. 22 that Mac OS X Mavericks and iWork would be free.

Pages gives you all the tools you need to create beautiful documents. Text automatically wraps around inserted images, charts and tables. Access more than 60 templates, or start with a blank slate.

You can also track comments, save documents as Word files, share them with your coworkers and access your work through iCloud.

Image: Mashable composite. iStock, spxChrome, Wikimedia Commons