With PDF files, you can maintain the original format of the document and open the file on almost any operating system. Over the years, it's become easier to create PDF files from text documents because many programs have built-in PDF creation features. If you're using an older computer or want to create PDF files from Notepad documents, you can install a virtual printer to generate PDF files from any program.
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Method 1 of 4: Creating a PDF File from a TXT Document (Windows)
Step 1. Download CutePDF Writer
This line program can create a “virtual printer” on the computer. This machine can later generate PDF files, instead of actually printing the files into physical documents. You can use it with Notepad to quickly create PDF files from TXT documents and other basic text files.
- Open a web browser and visit cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp. Click " Free Download " and " Free Converter ". The two programs required to install CutePDF Writer will be downloaded.
- If you don't want to go through this process, but have Microsoft Word 2007 or later, you can copy text to a Word document and create a PDF file through that program. Click here for further instructions.
Step 2. Run the program
CuteWriter.exe.
The CuteFTP Writer program will be installed soon. Run converter.exe after CutePDF Writer is installed to install the conversion software.
The installation package comes with several browser toolbars. Read the information in each window carefully, and click Cancel when you get the first offer. Click the "Skip this and all remaining offers" link displayed to ignore all toolbar offers
Step 3. Open the TXT file in Notepad
You can also use this method to create a PDF file from another basic text document, such as a CFG or INI file.
Step 4. Click the "File" menu and select "Print"
The “Print” window will open immediately.
Step 5. Select "CutePDF Writer" from the list of available printers
Click the Print button to create a PDF file.
Step 6. Name the file and select the location to save the PDF file
A new window will appear some time after you send the document for “printing”. Click the Save button after naming the file and selecting a save location. After that, a new PDF file will be created.
Method 2 of 4: Creating a PDF File from a TXT Document (Mac)
Step 1. Open the text file in TextEdit
This program is the primary text editing program for TXT documents and other text files on Mac computers.
Step 2. Click the "File" menu and select "Export as PDF"
This option is only available on OS X 10.7 (Lion) and later.
If you are using an earlier version of OS X, click " File " → " Save As " and select " PDF " as the file type
Step 3. Name the file and select a save location
Click Save to create a new PDF file.
Step 4. Delete the corrupted file if your PDF file is empty
Some users have reported problems creating PDF files using TextEdit. Sometimes, the resulting PDF file is empty. However, you can solve this problem by deleting some system files:
- Click the " Go " menu in the Finder window and select " Go to Folder ". Type in ~/Library/Preferences and press Return.
- Delete the com.apple. TextEdit.plist file. You can see several.plist files linked to TextEdit.
- Rerun TextEdit and try to re-create the PDF file. Now the program can work properly.
Method 3 of 4: Creating a PDF File from a Word Document
Step 1. Open the desired document in Microsoft Word
If you are using Word 2010 or later, you can create PDF files from the program directly. If you are using Word 2007, you will need to download the "Save as PDF Add-in" from Microsoft first.
- You can follow this method for text files that can be opened or copied into Word.
- If you are using Word 2003, you will need to install a virtual printer such as CutePDF Writer. Read the instructions in the first method of this article, then follow the directions to create a PDF file from the “Print” window in Word 2003.
Step 2. Start the saving process
This process is slightly different, depending on the version of Word you're using:
- Word 2013 – Click the "File" tab and select "Export". Click the "Create PDF/XPS" button after that.
- Word 2010 – Click the " File " tab and select " Save & Send ". After that, click the "Create PDF/XPS" button.
- Word 2007 – Click the " Office " button and select " Save to PDF ". You need to install custom add-ons first.
Step 3. Select an option
You can optimize files for publishing on the internet so they are smaller in size (and quality). You can also click the Options… button and choose which pages to include, as well as several other PDF options. By default, the entire document will be converted into a PDF file.
Step 4. Name the file and select the save location
By default, the file will have the same name as the original file.
Step 5. Click the button
Save or Publish.
A new PDF file will be created after that.
Method 4 of 4: Creating PDF Files Via Google Drive
Step 1. Open the document you want to convert into a PDF file
You can convert any text document on Google Drive into a PDF file through the Google Drive interface.
Step 2. Click the " File " menu and select " Download as " → " PDF Document"
A copy of the PDF file will download immediately.
Step 3. Copy text to a blank Drive document to quickly create a PDF file
Due to the convenience of creating PDF files on Drive, this method is one of the most efficient ways to create PDF files from text available in other locations.
