The first PDF format was created in 1993, made an open standard with a designation of ISO 32000-1:2008 in 2007. This was last updated and revised in 2017. The current version is still PDF 1.7, but PDF 2.0 is on its way to standardization.
PDFs may be the handiest file type to use or share for many reasons. What are PDFs, and how do you make them? An online PDF editor might work if you have an internet connection, but what about if you’re offline?
Keep reading to find out how to create PDFs like a pro in a variety of situations.
How to Create PDFs: Documents, Images, HTML
There will be times that you need a universal file format. PDF is a universal file type for transferring official documents or just keeping things organized. PNG, JPG, and most other images can be converted to a PDF quite easily on almost any platform.
HTML, documents, spreadsheets, powerpoints, computer code, and arrays can also convert easily into a PDF. That said, there are many platforms people use today on phones, laptops, and even servers. How can you create a PDF file in all these situations?
Create PDFs on Windows
The easiest way to convert any file on windows without a special program or application is to open the file on any file viewer you have. Microsoft Office apps or any open-source application are fine for this step(tip: you can even open most documents on your browser).
Once the document is open, you can go click on “file” in the top left and select “print” from the dropdown menu. Another way is to press and hold the control key (CTRL) and then press “P.”
Once the print dialog opens, you can go to “select a printer” and click on the down arrow. This opens a list of available printers. Select “Print to PDF” and it will show a preview.
You can even do this with websites, but all images may not be available.
Hit “Print” or “Save” and it will ask you where you would like to save the PDF file. Click save when you have the destination right.
Create PDFs on Mac
The process on Mac is fairly similar. You’ll again go to the print options using the menu bar or Command+P. In the bottom left of the dialog, there is a small “PDF” menu.
Clicking this gives you options like Save as PDF, Save as PostScript, Save to iCloud, Web Receipts, or Evernote, or even Send in Mail. When you’ve decided, click “print” on the bottom right to select your destination.
Create PDFs on a Phone
iOS and Android also have a “Print to PDF” option. On iOS first tap “Share” and then “Options.” Now, in the “Send As” menu, you can choose “Reader PDF.” The process is almost the same on Android as well.
Create PDFs on C# and VB
One unique situation is creating PDFs from information parsed from C# or VB. Or you could use C# and VB to create PDFs.
One benefit of this is that it keeps many of the interactive benefits of PDF alive, which the “Print” function doesn’t. You can use a .NET PDF library to do this, and keep most or all PDF 1.7 or PDF 2.0 functionality.
Yes, that includes digital signatures, merging and splitting content, document fidelity, collab editing, accessibility functions, permissions, metadata, and more.
Keeping Your Files in Order
PDFs are a great way to organize and secure your official documents. Now you know how to create PDFs on a variety of devices, send them, and even keep them extensible on C# and VB using a .NET library.
Need to know more handy tips and tricks for your business and your devices? Keep browsing our articles for the latest!
