If you need to save a web page for future viewing when you don't have an internet connection, or if you want to get a copy of a web page so you can easily share it with others or send it to a printer, you can do this simply by converting it. into a PDF file. Chrome and Safari come with tools for creating PDF files, but you'll need additional programs if you're using Firefox or Internet Explorer. Adobe Acrobat has the most comprehensive features for saving web pages if you have them.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Chrome
Step 1. Open the page you want to convert to PDF
When creating a PDF file from a web page, some elements may be changed automatically. Changes made depend on the developer of the website in question, and are generally beyond your control.
This method will only print the page you are currently viewing, and links to other pages of the site will not be saved
Step 2. Click the Chrome menu button, then select "Print"
Step 3. Click the button
Changes… , then select "Save as PDF".
It should be in the "Local Destinations" section.
Step 4. Select the options as per your wish
There are several options to choose from before you create a PDF file.
- Click the "Layout" drop-down button to select the image orientation, either portrait or landscape.
- Uncheck "Headers and footers" if you don't want the date, page title, and page address to appear at the top and bottom of the PDF page.
- Check the "Background graphics" box to display a background image.
Step 5. Click the button
Save.
Choose a name and location to save the PDF file.
Method 2 of 4: Safari
Step 1. Open the page you want to convert to PDF
When using this method, you will notice that some elements will be changed. This happens because the web designer concerned can force the browser (browser) to print web pages in the specified way.
The resulting PDF file only holds the contents of the web page you are currently visiting
Step 2. Click the File menu, then select "Export to PDF"
This method requires you to use OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later. If you are using a version prior to OS X 10.9, click File → "Save As", then select PDF as the generated file type.
Step 3. Give the file a name, then specify the location to save the file
The file creation process takes time, and how long it will take depends on the page size of your choice.
Method 3 of 4: CutePDF (All Windows Browsers)
Step 1. Download CutePDF
Internet Explorer and Firefox do not come with tools for creating PDF files. To get around this, you'll need to install a "virtual printer" that allows you to create PDF files, not actually print them. CutePDF is one such virtual printer.
- Go to cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp, then click "Free Download" and "Free Converter". This way, the two programs you need to install will start downloading.
- This method will only generate a PDF file of the page you are currently visiting.
Step 2. Run the program
CuteWriter.exe to start installing CutePDF.
Program installer files are usually bundled with multiple browser toolbars, so make sure that you click Cancel on the first offer, then click the "Skip this and all remaining offers" link that appears.
Step 3. Run
converter.exe after the CutePDF installation is complete.
You don't need to select certain options or worry about adware in this section; This section runs automatically and is free of ads.
Step 4. Open the website you want to convert to PDF
Once CutePDF is installed, you can do so in any browser.
Step 5. Open the Print window
The quickest way to open the Print window is to press Ctrl+P, although you can also find it via the File menu or Firefox menu.
In Firefox, you just need to click Print… in the Print Preview window
Step 6. Click the drop-down menu that displays your printer, then select "CutePDF Writer"
Click the Print button.
Step 7. Give the file a name, then save it
After a few moments, CutePDF's Save window will appear, in which you can give the file a name and choose a save location.
Method 4 of 4: Adobe Acrobat Pro
Step 1. Click the File menu, then select "Create PDF" → "From Web Page"
You'll need the paid version of Adobe Acrobat to do this, but Adobe Acrobat allows you to save a whole website, including any pages stored on the server in their original format and links that work normally.
Step 2. Enter the URL of the website you want to convert to PDF
Enter the base address of the website if you want to keep a whole website. If you only want one specific page, enter the full address specific to that page.
Step 3. Determine the number of website levels you want to convert to PDF
You can choose to change only a few levels of the website ("Get only X level(s)"), or you can choose to change the entire website ("Get entire site")
The first level is the page that opens when the address is visited. The second level includes all the pages linked to the first page. The third level includes all the pages that are linked to all the pages in the second level. Changing the pages contained in too many levels of a website can result in a very large total file size, depending on the website you want to convert to PDF
Step 4. Check several option boxes to prevent Acrobat from exiting the website
When you handle a website that consists of several levels, there is a fairly high chance that you will be taken off the website. You can prevent Acrobat from fetching these pages by selecting "Stay on the same path", which ensures that the fetched pages are from the same domain, or selecting "Stay on the same server", which ensures that the fetched pages are only originating from the web server of your choice.
Step 5. Click the button
Settings… to adjust PDF settings.
This option allows you to set the header and footer of the page, as well as note the website address to move to another page.
Step 6. Click the button
Create to create a PDF file.
Depending on the number of levels of the website you are changing, as well as the size of the site, this process may take a few minutes, or even a very, very long time.
