How to convert Excel into PDF using 4 different methods

PDF is a popular file type for sharing. Fortunately, Excel has a couple of tools for an Excel to PDF conversion. The process becomes even easier thanks to Excel’s Page Layout options, where you can define page sizes and properties. In this article, we are going to show you how to convert Excel workbooks into PDF using 4 methods.

Save as PDF

Simple as it sounds. You can save your Excel spreadsheet as a PDF file. Instead of the Save option, you need to use Save as PDF. Here are the exact steps:

Open the File tab
Click Save As
Select the folder you want to save the file
Select PDF as the file type
Press Save button

Usually, these steps will be enough for most circumstances. To see extra options for saving as PDF, click the Options button unser Save As.

Also, you can choose an optimization type and whether you want to open file after creating.

Export As PDF

Another way you can open the Save As dialog using the steps below:

Open the File tab
Activate Export
Click Create PDF/XPS Document

You will see the same Save As dialog, the file type is already set as PDF.

Publish as PDF

Excel also has some hidden features for converting Excel Files to PDF. One such feature is is Publish as PDF or XPS. This is a hidden command which you can add to your Excel (actually Excel’s Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar).

Follow the steps to add Publish as PDF or XPS to the Quick Access Toolbar:

Right-click on Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar
Select Customize Quick Access Toolbar (Alternatively, you can open via Options window)
While left pane displays available commands, the right one shows the active commands. Make sure select All Commands for the commands in the left panel
Scroll until you find Publish as PDF or XPS
Select it and click the Add button to add the command into the right panel
Click OK to apply the settings. After this step you should be able to see the command in Quick Access Toolbar

Clicking the PDF or XPS buttons displays the Save As dialog with PDF file type selected.

Email as PDF Attachment

The last approach we are going to take a look at is another hidden command - Email as PDF Attachment. This command is very useful if you send your Excel-PDF files via emails frequently. Once this command is triggered, Excel automatically saves the file as PDF and attaches it to a new blank email.

You can find Email as PDF Attachment command by following same steps in the previous topic.