How to Save PowerPoint Presentations as PDF Files

Generate a PowerPoint PDF for sharing or printing

By
Wendy Russell
Wendy Russell
Writer
  • Brock University
Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on November 12, 2021

What to Know

  • PowerPoint 2013, 2016, and 2019, Microsoft 365, and PowerPoint for Mac: Select File > Save As > PDF.
  • PowerPoint 2010: Choose File > Save & Send > Create PDF/XPS Document, choose a file name and destination, select Publish.
  • Optimize PDFs from PowerPoint on PCs: Select File > Save As > Options.

Saving your PowerPoint document as a PDF file is a quick way to produce a PowerPoint presentation that is ready for printing, reviewing, or emailing. The PDF retains all the formatting you apply, whether or not the recipient has those fonts, styles, or themes installed on their computer. Also, PDF files are a secure way to forward your presentation to someone because the files cannot be edited or modified.

Save a PowerPoint Presentation as a PDF File

Saving your PowerPoint presentation as PDF file is as easy as accessing the standard Save As file menu. Follow these instructions to export your presentation as a PDF for easy sharing.

This section applies to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013; PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and PowerPoint for Mac.

  1. Open the PowerPoint presentation.

  2. Select File.

  3. Select Save As.

    A screenshot showing how to save a PDF file in PowerPoint

  4. Select a location and name for the file.

  5. Select the File Format down arrow and choose PDF (*pdf).

  6. Selct Save to create your PDF. In PowerPoint for Mac, select Export.

Create a PDF file of your PowerPoint presentation when you want to print the file or email it for review. Animations, transitions, and sounds are not activated in a PDF document. PDF files can only be edited with special additional software.

Save a PowerPoint 2010 Presentation as a PDF File

If you're running Office 2010, the instructions for saving your PowerPoint as a PDF are slightly different. Follow these steps to get the job done:

This section applies to PowerPoint 2010.

  1. Open the PowerPoint presentation.

  2. Select File.

  3. Select Save & Send.

  4. Select Create PDF/XPS Document.

  5. Select a location and name for the file.

  6. Select Publish to create your PDF.

If you are using PowerPoint Online, select File > Download As > Download as PDF.

Optimize Your PDF File on Creation (PC)

Save a PDF File on PowerPoint for PC with Options

If you want to change the slides and other content that are contained in the PDF file, select Options from the Save As dialog box. This opens the Options dialog box where you can choose the range of slides to convert to PDF, as well as publishing options for notes, handouts, and outlines.

Was this page helpful?