Method 1: Use the browser-based converter (no software needed)
If you're on a device without Microsoft Word installed — a Chromebook, a borrowed laptop, a tablet — the Irreva Word to PDF converter works directly in your browser. Upload your .docx file, click Convert, and the PDF downloads immediately.
The tool uses Mammoth.js to extract the text from your document and pdf-lib to build the PDF. Both run in your browser; your file is never uploaded to any server. This matters when you're handling contracts, CVs, or anything sensitive.
One thing to be clear about: the browser converter extracts plain text. The PDF output won't have the bold headings or tables from your Word file — it produces a clean, readable document with all the words, but not the visual formatting. For most straightforward documents this is fine. For something where the layout needs to look exact, use Method 2 or 3.
- Works on any device with a modern browser
- No account, no watermark, no size limit beyond 50 MB
- Text content preserved; visual formatting not carried over
- Processes everything locally — nothing sent to a server
Method 2: Export directly from Microsoft Word
If you have Microsoft Word installed (Windows or Mac), this is the best option for preserving formatting perfectly. Word's PDF export renders the document exactly as it looks on screen — fonts, tables, images, columns, headers and footers, everything.
In Word: File → Save As → choose PDF from the format dropdown. Or go to File → Export → Create PDF/XPS. Either route gets you the same result.
On a Mac, you can also use File → Print → PDF → Save as PDF — this routes through the system print engine and produces a high-quality PDF from any application, not just Word.
Word's export is the gold standard for formatting fidelity. If your document has complex tables, branded fonts, or a specific layout that must look right, this is the method to use.
Method 3: Export from Google Docs
Google Docs handles .docx files well. Upload the file to Google Drive, open it in Docs, then go to File → Download → PDF document. Google Docs renders the document and exports a PDF that preserves the formatting — usually with very good fidelity to the original Word layout.
This is a good option when you're working collaboratively in Google Docs anyway, or when you want a formatting-accurate PDF without having Word installed locally.
One caveat: very complex Word formatting — advanced table styles, certain Word-specific fields, custom list styles — may not transfer perfectly to Google Docs. Simple and moderately complex documents render well.
Method 4: On iPhone, iPad, or Android
On iPhone or iPad, Microsoft Word is available free from the App Store and can open .docx files and export to PDF. Open the file → tap the more options (⋯) menu → Export → PDF.
Google Docs on iOS and Android also works: open the .docx file in the app → tap the three-dot menu → Download as PDF.
For a quick option with no app required, the Irreva Word to PDF tool works in Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android. Upload your .docx, convert, and the PDF downloads to your device.
Which method should you use?
The right choice depends on two things: whether you need exact visual formatting, and what software you have available.
If the formatting needs to look exactly like Word — use Word's export (Method 2) or Google Docs (Method 3). Both produce PDFs that are visually faithful to the original.
If you just need the text content in PDF form — or you're on a device without Word or Docs — the browser converter (Method 1) does the job instantly with no software required.
- Formatting matters → Word's File → Save As PDF, or Google Docs export
- Text only, no software → Irreva Word to PDF converter
- Collaborating in Google Docs → download as PDF from Docs
- On mobile, formatting matters → Word or Google Docs app
- On mobile, quick conversion → browser tool in Safari or Chrome
Common issues and fixes
File won't convert — check it's a .docx file, not the older .doc format. Open a .doc file in Word or Google Docs and save as .docx first.
PDF looks different from the Word document — expected for browser-based text extractors. If the layout matters, use Word's export or Google Docs instead.
Special characters show as question marks — happens with the browser converter when the document uses characters outside the standard font set. Export from Word or Google Docs for full Unicode support.
File is password-protected — remove the Word password first (File → Info → Protect Document → delete the password), then convert.
PDF is too large — run it through the Compress PDF tool after converting, especially useful for email or portal uploads with size limits.