Different ways to create or convert to PDF files

Q: First things first - How do I create PDF documents on my computer
without Adobe Acrobat?

A: Get a copy of DoPDF - it installs as a virtual printer driver on
your desktop just like Acrobat and lets you print PDF files from any
Windows application including images, documents, emails, websites,
etc.

Q: I don’t want to install software just for converting a bunch of
documents to PDF. Do you know of any alternative?

A: Upload your documents to Google Docs via the browser and then
export them as PDF files. Simple.

Q: A client just sent me a PowerPoint presentation by email. Since I
am travelling without the laptop and my mobile phone cannot read PPT
files, what should I do?

A: Forward that email message (with the PPT attachment) to
pdf@koolwire.com - they’ll convert the presentation to PDF and email
it back to you immediately. Most smartphones and web enabled mobile
phones can read PDF files.

Q: How do I directly save a web page as PDF without having to save
that page as an HTML file first?

A: Go to PrimoPDF, type the URL of the web page and they’ll send you a
PDF version of that page via email.

Q: How can I convert PDF files into other formats like Word documents,
images, HTML web pages, etc.

A: You can upload the PDF document to Zamzar and convert it any
formats like doc, html, png, txt or rtf (rich text format).
Alternatively, you can convert PDF to HTML using Gmail.

Q: How do I create a single PDF package by merging files of different
formats.

A: Try Loop PDF - it’s a free service that lets you combine multiple
documents, images and even web pages into a single PDF file.

Q: How do I merge two or more PDF files into one? Can I also change
the page order?

A: You can grab PDF Fill - it’s a versatility PDF editing tool that
lets you combine PDFs from the desktop. PDF Fill can also help you
rearrange pages in any order or for rotating pages inside a PDF.

Q: I want to extract some text from a PDF and use it in my Word
document. What is the best option?

A: Go to PDFTextOnline and upload your PDF - it will extract text from
the first 10 pages of your PDF document (to start) and will also show
the PDF bookmarks, document properties, and form data (if available).

Q: I can’t get the above trick to work since I have a scanned PDF.

A: You can extract text from scanned PDF documents with Google Search.
It’s not an instant process but probably the only free solution we
know of.

Q: I have some restricted PDF documents on my computer in the sense
that they neither allow printing nor can you select text with the
mouse.

A: Get the PDF Unlocker - its a free Windows utility that will remove
all common restrictions around a PDF file without requiring any
passwords. Alternatively, you may use the online service at
ensode.net that will remove all the printing or copying/pasting
related restrictions from your PDF.

Q: Some PDF files on our company’s intranet are protected by a
password that no one can remember anymore. Can we still open them?

A: Check this article - How to Open Password Protected PDF

Q: I am looking for a service that would let visitors download my
articles as PDF files.

A: Add the Web2PDF button anywhere in your website - it converts web
pages to PDF files on demand and also keeps a track of all PDF
conversion related activities on your website.

Q: Someone sent me a PDF document in Chinese but I can read only
English?

A: You can easily translate PDF files using Google Translate and Zoho
Viewer.

Q: How can I add annotations or text notes to some of my PDF
documents?

A: Get the PDF-X Viewer - it’s like Adobe Reader but with some extra
features. You can add comments, annotations or even paste images to
your PDF pages. You can also add annotations, call-outs and text to
your PDFs online with PDF Escape.

Q: How do I read PDF files online without desktop software?

A: You can open PDF documents in the browser with PDFMeNot without
requiring any software. See more options.

Q: Can I fill PDF forms online without Acrobat Reader?

A: Sure, go to PDF Filler, upload the PDF form and start typing. PDF
typewriter works by converting PDF forms into images and allowing the
user to type right on top of the images.

Q: How can I add watermarks or even my (real) signature to a PDF
document?

A: First draw your signature in Paint (or other photo editing tool)
and save it as an image. Make sure you crop all the blank portion that
lies outside the signature. Now open the PDF document inside PDF-X
Viewer and copy-paste that watermark / signature image. Simple.

Q: I have a PDF book that contains some 200 pages. Is there a way to
extract selected pages from that book and save it as another PDF.

A: You can either PDF Merge or PDF SAM (split and merge) to extract
pages from a PDF document.

Q: How can I protect my PDF documents with a password?

A: Upload your PDF file to PDF Hammer, set a security password and
export it as PDF again.

Q: A PDF document has lot of links but I can’t click them as they are
in plain text. How do I make them clickable?

A: Go to PDF Escape, upload the PDF and then place hyperlinks anywhere
on the page.

Q: Which online service(s) would you recommend for uploading PDF files
on the web?

A: My favorite is Issuu - they have built an excellent PDF viewer
inside a beautiful interface. You can also use Issuu to embed PDF
files in your own website. Next recommendation is Scribd - it’s a more
popular service so your PDF document would get more eye balls.