Convert Excel to PDF

Convert Excel spreadsheet into a PDF document online. It's fast, convenient and absolutely free.

Just upload the file (from your device or the cloud) and we'll do the rest. PDF2Go quickly converts the file to PDF (waiting time depends on the document size).

Convert PDF files online

No need to download or install anything! The PDF2Go online service works directly in the browser. You will not face problems with viruses or lack of free space on your hard drive and phone.

To convert an Excel file to PDF, all you need is the Internet - that's all.

Why do you need PDF format?

Compared to Excel spreadsheets, PDF files have a number of advantages: they are formatted unchanged and can be opened on a computer that does not have Excel programs. Plus, PDF files are more printable and easier to share online.

Take advantage of these benefits and more: Convert your Excel spreadsheet to PDF.

Files are always safe

Regular file deletion, secure servers, automatic processing and confidentiality - this is how PDF2Go ensures file security.

All rights are reserved by you; PDF2Go makes no claim to the original Excel or resulting PDF file.

Convert any tables

The PDF format is universal and sometimes better suited to the task at hand. We offer you a free file conversion tool Microsoft Excel. You can convert the following file types to PDF.

Spreadsheets:

Microsoft Excel XLS and XLSX

Convert file to PDF online

Why clutter up your device's memory when you can work online?

The name PDF2Go says it all: Convert PDF files on the go, at home, at work - wherever it is convenient for you. The online converter works on any device, be it a tablet, computer or smartphone.

Microsoft Excel is used to work with spreadsheets. In addition to distributing data into cells, it allows the user to perform mathematical functions and build corresponding diagrams. In addition, Microsoft Excel is capable of loading data from external sources and databases.

As a result, the structure of the final document becomes quite complex and contains both internal and external links. The above factors make it difficult to maintain document flow in Excel format.

To be 100% sure that the recipient will be able to open the documents you send, it makes sense to convert Excel documents to PDF format before sending them by email.

The resulting PDF file will be structurally integral and platform independent. It will not contain links to external resources and the above-mentioned calculation formulas and other Excel elements.

On this page:

How to Save Excel Files as PDF

To save an Excel document in PDF format, use a virtual printer, such as Universal Document Converter. A virtual printer is a program that “receives” a file sent for printing instead of a real printer and saves the file to a specified folder instead of printing it on a sheet of paper. In addition, it becomes possible to convert the document to another format, for example, from Excel to PDF.

To simplify document conversion, Universal Document Converter software adds a panel with “hot keys” to the main Microsoft Excel window. For conversion Excel files to PDF format just takes a couple of mouse clicks: go to the toolbar of the Universal Document Converter and click one of three buttons: Convert to PDF, Convert to JPG or Convert to TIFF.

How to Save an Excel Workbook as a Single PDF File

Saving an Excel workbook as a single PDF file is a rather complicated procedure. This training video demonstrates the solution to this problem:

How to fit an entire Excel sheet onto one page of a PDF file

If you need to insert an Excel sheet or chart into one page of a PDF file, do the following:

  1. Open the toolbar Page Layout(Page Setup) in Microsoft Excel and click on the option in the lower right corner:
  2. Select Fit to 1 page wide by 1 tall(Enter all columns and rows on 1 page) as shown in the screenshot below
  3. Click OK and print the PDF file using Universal Document Converter as a printer.

Applying watermarks to an Excel document

To add a watermark to a document, do the following:

  1. Print
  2. Select Properties(Properties)
  3. Select PDF Image ( PDF image) as output file format
  4. Go to the menu Watermark and select Text Label or Picture. Set the desired settings.
  5. Click OK to start the conversion process from Excel to PDF.

How to protect a file with a password

To protect your document from unauthorized access, follow these steps:

  1. Open the document in Microsoft program Excel and click Print
  2. Select Universal Document Converter as a printer and click Properties(Properties)
  3. Select File Format in the settings menu and make sure the output format is listed as PDF Document(PDF document)
  4. IN PDF Standard select Password protected(Password Protect) and enter the password as shown in the screenshot below
  5. If you need to add pages to an existing PDF file, the password does not need to be changed. If PDF file was not password protected, additional pages should not be password protected either.
  6. Click OK and print the Excel document in PDF format using the Universal Document Converter program.

other methods

Batch convert Excel documents to PDF

To automate the translation of Excel to PDF in batch mode, you will need three programs: Microsoft Excel, Universal Document Converter and Print Conductor.

  1. Run the program Print Conductor and add to her processing list necessary files Excel
  2. Select Universal Document Converter from the list of printers and click Change Settings
  3. Specify in settings PDF Document(PDF Document) as the output file format and click OK
  4. Click Start to start converting Excel files to PDF in batch mode.

Automatically convert Excel files to PDF in the office

The need to work with a large number of files in different formats received from external sources can complicate the work of company employees. To avoid this problem and reduce the time spent converting files to the required format, use Folder Mill software, designed to automate the conversion process.

FolderMill carefully monitors all incoming files and converts them to other formats. You do not need to perform any manual operations; you just need to specify, for example, that all files received in Excel format should be automatically converted to PDF.

Excel to PDF conversion code examples for developers

The Universal Document Converter package includes a public API and code examples for integration into developers' own software. Automatic deployment will help speed up the process of installing Universal Document Converter on a large number of workstations, if the need arises.

The core of the Universal Document Converter program will allow software developers to integrate its functions into the new products they develop. You can see examples of converting Excel files to PDF format for various programming languages.

Command line tools to automatically convert Excel sheets

2Printer is a command line utility that allows you to automate the printing of Excel documents. The command line interface allows users to create batches of files to automate their specific printing tasks. This tool can be included in the Planner Windows tasks to automate the printing process on your computer.

2Printer uses the public API of Microsoft Excel for printing Excel sheets. This means that to print documents in XLS or XLSX formats, you will need Microsoft Excel software installed on your computer.

The 2Printer program is compatible with any mechanical printers connected to a computer or available in local networks, as well as virtual printers, for example with the Universal Document Converter. Thanks to this, you can convert Excel documents to PDF by selecting Universal Document Converter as your printer in command line 2Printer.

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“We export documents from Microsoft Word in PDF format for sending to our customers and our service centers. Due to the fact that the “Universal Document Converter” is a virtual printer, and not a program with a complex interface, we do not waste time on training our employees.”


The PDF format is very convenient because it is convenient to present material for review. You can send these files electronically or format them for printing. This is also a convenient option in cases where you do not want anyone to edit or change your document. In this article you will learn three available methods table conversions and Excel charts to PDF format: in the program Microsoft Office Excel is at least 2010, online method And third party programs. The main thing is to choose proven software from reliable sources; as a last resort, be sure to have a fresh antivirus on your computer or laptop with all the updates so that scammers do not get hold of any information about you.

How to convert Excel to PDF in Microsoft Office Excel

This method will only work on versions older than 2010. If you have Excel 2003 or 2007 installed, update the program data, or use the other two steps in this article to choose from.

  • Open the table in Excel, pay attention to the upper left corner. Click on the word “File” highlighted in green.


In the window that appears, you will see the “Create PDF document/XPS". Click on it.


You need to click on the only cell in the area on the right “Create PDF”. Please note the benefits described above the button.


When saving the file, specify the “Standard” optimization, and then click on the “Options” button.


Set the parameters you need, here you can select the number of sheets to be saved, their range, and indicate the data included in the file.
After setting, click “OK”.


Now the PDF document will be saved in the specified location and with specified name, try opening it to make sure the information is safe.


Save your spreadsheets this way every time you need to distribute them among colleagues, friends, or acquaintances. Such leaflets are easy to print, but difficult to change, which is very good for the safety of the data you entered.


How to convert Excel formats to PDF using third-party programs

If you decide to find such software on the Internet, then treat publishers with caution: it often happens that sites themselves include installation file unnecessary programs, search engines, ad viruses. Therefore, carefully scan the distribution before unpacking.
The article will use an example with the spire pdf program, which can be downloaded from the link. There is another similar utility that adds pdf buttons to Excel, you can download it.
After visiting the site, click on the green “Download” button at the very bottom of the window.


After saving the distribution, go to the directory where the file is located. Run installation program and follow all on-screen instructions. IN certain moment the program will ask you to specify the installation folder; you can change it by clicking on the “Browse” button.
At the bottom of the window you will see a line that allows or denies other accounts to use the program.

  • Everyone – everyone can use it;
  • Just me – prohibits others from opening it.

After setting up this window, click “Next”.


A program shortcut will appear on your desktop, you can convert files by clicking on it, or go to MS Office Excel and convert from there.


Try clicking on the “File” field in Excel again.



The line “PDF” will now appear in the “File type” column. Select it and continue saving.


How to convert Excel formats to PDF online

If none of the methods outlined above suits you, then the only option is to change the document online. You may have the following resources to choose from:

  • https://smallpdf.com – fast conversion, but does not support large document volumes;
  • http://convertstandard.com - can download very large files, but sometimes refuses to work with the 2003 xlsx format;
  • http://www.ilovepdf.com – has some paid features, but conversion is free.

The second site from the list will be taken as an example.
Go to the service and click on the “Browse” button to upload the document.


Select the file and click “Open”.


After a few seconds, the file name will be displayed in a white line, all you have to do is click “Convert”.
Depending on the size of the file, you will have to wait a couple of seconds, and then the PDF document will be saved to your computer.


So, using three different methods, you received PDF documents from Excel formats. Choose the one that is more convenient for you and use it constantly.


Excel is one of the main office programs. It allows you to process large amounts of data in the form of spreadsheets, which are a grid of numbered rows and columns. Standard format Saving such tables is in XLS and XLSX formats, but sometimes there is a need to save an Excel document in PDF format. Therefore, it is very important to know how to convert Excel to PDF.

Method No. 1. Export to PDF/XPF.

Let's start from the very beginning simple way saving Excel tables in PDF format. This method is very simple and does not require installation. additional programs, but it may not work in older versions of Excel.

In order to convert Excel to PDF using this method, you need to click on the “File” button in the upper left corner of the window and go to the “Export” section.

As a result, export settings will appear in front of you. Here you need to select the “Create PDF/XPF document” option and click on the “Create PDF/XPF” button.

As a result, a standard window for saving the document will open in front of you. With it, you can save an Excel table in PDF format.

To do this, just select a folder to save, select the PDF file type and click on the “Publish” button.

Method number 2. Use PDF printer A.

If the previous method did not suit you, then you can always convert Excel to PDF format by Help PDF printer. A PDF printer is a special program that emulates the operation of a real printer, but instead of sending a document for printing, the program saves it in PDF format.

For use this method you will need PDF program Printer. It is possible that such a program is already installed on your computer, since PDF printers are often installed along with other programs. To check this, open Excel, press Ctrl-P (send print) and look at the list of printers that are installed on the system.

If Foxit is in the list of printers Reader PDF Printer, Microsoft Print to PDF or another printer whose name contains the word “PDF”, this means that you do not need to install anything, you already have a PDF printer.

If there is nothing like this in the list of printers, then you need to install it separately. To do this, download and install one of the following programs on your computer:

After installation, a virtual printer with the name of the program you selected will appear in the list of printers that are available for printing. Now this printer can be used to save Excel documents in PDF format. To do this, you need to open the print menu (Ctrl-P), select the virtual PDF printer and click on the “Print” button.

Simple PDF printers usually do not have any settings, and when used, a window immediately appears for saving the document in PDF format. For example, this is how the Microsoft Print to PDF printer works.

More advanced PDF printers, after clicking the “Print” button, first show a window with settings. The screenshot below shows what the doPDF program settings window looks like. Here you can select a folder to save, PDF quality, as well as other settings.

After entering all the parameters, you need to click on the “OK” button and the PDF file will be saved in the selected folder.

Method number 3. Using online services.

Also you can convert Excel to PDF using online service ov for conversion. Such services will be useful if export to PDF does not work and there is no way to install a PDF printer. You can find similar services using search engines, just enter the request “Excel to PDF”.

For example, you can use the online service. To do this, follow the link, click on the “Select file” button and select the PDF document that you need to save in Excel. After this, the service will convert your Excel file to PDF format and offer to download the resulting file.

Microsoft Office Excel allows users to work with spreadsheets. They are a grid of cells that contain information. In addition to being able to populate an Excel workbook, you can perform various mathematical operations, create visual charts, and insert other elements. The program also works with data from other sources and databases, and the user can save the result in one of several popular formats.

We consider various options for converting files

Saving an Excel file to PDF is most often used in two cases - when a document needs to be transferred:

  • To the printing house for printing;
  • To another user - information must be provided in more detail in simple form, and the file must not be editable.

In addition, documents in PDF format can be opened on any computer, even if one version of Excel is not installed on it. Converting a document to another format can be done in several ways. These include the use of Excel capabilities - this feature first appeared in the 2010 version.

There are also opposite situations - when PDF needs to be converted to an Excel file. For example, when a colleague sends you data from a recent report or project, or you downloaded a file whose author wanted to make it easier to read or hide Excel formulas. In any case, if you need to work with the document and make changes, it will have to be converted from PDF to XLS.

The table structure in Excel is quite complex. Editable cells contain not only regular information, but also formulas, external links and graphic elements. This factor complicates the circulation of documents in the program.

To increase the likelihood that another user will be able to open and read your document, you can convert it to PDF. This is also convenient when you need to hide from outsiders the formulas by which certain indicators in the cells of the book were calculated. Before you send a file by mail or post it on general access, convert to PDF using one of the following methods:

  1. Using functions built into Excel;
  2. Through the official add-on from Microsoft;
  3. Using online services;
  4. In the downloaded program.

The document in PDF format that you receive using any of the methods will have a consistent structure. It can be opened on any device, including mobile, and cannot be edited by the reader. This file does not contain links to third-party resources and calculation formulas.

How to convert Excel to PDF in the editor itself

To use this method, you do not have to look for third-party services - online or downloaded. Everything is done in Excel:

  1. Select the table cells you want to convert to PDF, or go to next steps, if you want to transform the entire sheet (note that the document can be returned back - it’s not so easy, but the entire structure will be preserved);
  2. Click "File";
  3. Select "Export";
  4. In Excel 2010, click “Save As”; in newer versions, first specify the location and name;
  5. Select PDF from the list of formats;
  6. In order to configure the future document, click “Options” - you can set the range of pages that will be converted, select only specific cells, the active sheet or the entire workbook;
  7. Choose an optimization method - “Standard” is suitable for small files, while for large files you will have to change the parameters;
  8. Name the file and save it - it will immediately open by default;
  9. If the document does not open, your computer may not support PDF reading- install a suitable program and check if everything loaded correctly;
  10. If you need to make changes, make them in the source Excel document, and then convert it again.

When saving, you can set additional parameters

How to convert Excel to PDF using the official editor add-in

This method is suitable for cases where Excel does not allow conversion, since installed version there is no such possibility. You can bypass the limitation by installing a special add-on (plugin) called “Save as PDF and XPS”. You can download the functionality from the official Microsoft website - it's free.

For the translation itself you need:

  1. After installing the plugin, the “Create PDF/XPS” field will appear in the Excel main menu in the “Save” section - select the PDF format and name the document;
  2. Save this file to the desired directory on your computer.

To make it more convenient to work with the function, use the options for selecting cells or saving an entire page or sheet, which are described in the previous method.

Depending on the version of Office, menu items may differ slightly

How to convert Excel to PDF using online services

There are a large number of converters on the Internet that allow you to convert XLS to PDF in a few clicks. Most of them do it for free or offer the user a demo mode. To convert you usually need:

  1. Upload the document to the service system;
  2. Select the format into which the document will be translated, if several are available;
  3. Start conversion;
  4. Download the PDF file to your computer.

All services have similar functionality, but it is recommended to choose trusted ones so that viruses do not get onto your computer. However, this method is not recommended if it is possible to convert directly to Excel. It's more difficult and time-consuming, and some services offer limited options or ask you to pay for the conversion.

One of many examples of online tools

How to convert Excel to PDF using third-party, downloadable programs

Like online services, such programs allow you to make conversions without using Excel functionality. This is necessary in cases where the editor version does not allow you to perform the process in it. The programs work on the principle virtual printer- they accept your file “for printing”, but instead of issuing a paper document, they save it in another directory. However, during the process you can change the format, including from XLS to PDF.

One of best programs for transformation outside of Excel - Universal Document Converter. It adds several functions in the form of hot keys to the editor's main menu to make it easier to save a file in a different format. By installing the Universal Converter, you can convert an Excel document to PDF in a couple of clicks:

  1. Go to the Converter toolbar:
  2. Select “Convert to PDF”;
  3. Specify the name and location of the file, save.

This method, as in the case of online services, is recommended for those versions of Excel in which it is impossible to perform conversion using the built-in functions.

Universal Document Converter is built into the program

How to fit an entire Excel sheet onto one PDF page

If you need to make one sheet of an Excel book occupy one page in PDF and still be displayed correctly:

  1. Open “Page Layout” in Excel, click on the arrow that opens additional options(icon in the lower right corner of the “Page Settings” area);
  2. Activate the “Place no more than on” item and specify the number of pages equal to one;
  3. Click “OK”, print the file to PDF using the functions of Excel, an additional plugin or the Universal Document Converter.

Fitting a document to the sheet format is very easy

How to Bulk Convert Excel Files to PDF

If you regularly create a large number XLS documents that need to be converted to PDF, this can be done using the automatic function. It will do the job faster, and you won't have to do all the steps manually.

This feature is available in the Universal Document Converter. To activate it you need to make the following settings:

  1. When saving a document, select a program from among the printers;
  2. Click “Change settings”;
  3. In the parameters of the final document, specify the PDF format;
  4. To start batch conversion click "Start";
  5. The current and subsequent documents will be stored in in the right form- this can be canceled in the same settings.

You can also use a downloadable program called Folder Mill, which can handle large numbers of files. various formats, coming from external sources. It was created in order to simplify the work of company employees who had to convert everything manually. Use Folder Mill - in the settings, specify that the files are converted to PDF, after which the automatic conversion will begin.

The application is relevant for a large number of converted documents

How to protect the received PDF file with a password

Protection against access without the appropriate code is needed to prevent the file from being read third parties. The easiest way to do this is to also use the Universal Document Converter. To activate protection you need:

  1. Open the required document in XLS format in Excel;
  2. Click “Print”, select Universal Converter as a printer and select “Properties”;
  3. Configure the function so that the output document is in PDF - this is done in “File format”;
  4. In the "PDF Standard" area, select "Password Protect" and enter secret code;
  5. If you later need to add pages to a password-protected document, do not change the secret code itself (if the file did not initially have protection, do not install it on new pages);
  6. Click “OK” and print the Excel document as PDF using the Converter.

How to convert PDF to Excel

The opposite situations when you need to convert PDF to Excel happen if you were sent a file whose author did not take into account that you would want to edit it. In addition, PDF documents are often the only available format when downloading various company pricing tables. They are designed to ensure that the file will be available on any system, even if Excel is not on the device.

Unlike the initial conversion of an Excel table into a PDF document, the reverse procedure is more complex. However, it can also be done in the editor - for this you will have to use one of two options:

  1. The "Text by Columns" function in Microsoft Office Excel (Acrobat Reader is also required);
  2. Online converter;
  3. Downloadable conversion program.

How to Convert PDF to Excel Using Text by Columns Option

The popular Adobe viewer provides this opportunity.

This method does not require downloading special programs or using online services - Acrobat Reader, which is available on almost every computer, is enough. To convert you need:

  1. Open PDF in Acrobat Reader;
  2. Save as plain text using “File” - “Save to others” - “Text” (or “File” - “Save as” - “File type” - “Text file”);
  3. Specify the name and save directory, click “Save”;
  4. Next, open Text Document and transfer files from it to new file Excel - paste into cell A1;
  5. Use the function for automatic distribution - “Data” - “Working with data” - “Text by columns”;
  6. The “Text Wizard” window will open, where in the “Source Data Format” section you need to select “Delimited”, then “Next”;
  7. Set a space as a separator character, remove the remaining marks;
  8. Specify any column in the “Data Parsing Sample”, select “Text” in the “Column Data Format”;
  9. Repeat the previous steps for each column in the samples;
  10. Click “Finish” to complete the procedure - the data from the PDF will be organized in Excel into columns.

The sequence of operations consists of several stages

How to convert PDF to Excel using online services

There are many programs on the Internet for converting XLS to PDF. Unlike the reverse action, with such a conversion it is usually easier to use the service. Typically the procedure goes like this:

  1. Upload the PDF to the conversion system (to get the best results, use files that preserve the table structure);
  2. Select the required format and start converting;
  3. When the process is complete, download the resulting document.

Many programs have a limit on the amount of data or the number of files that they offer to remove after receiving paid access. Some services require you to enter an email address in order to send the file to it. Most likely, you will have to bring the table to the desired form, since services rarely cope with formatting - especially complex documents. However, they do the bulk of the work and only require a few clicks to initiate the conversion.

Example of an online conversion service

How to convert PDF to Excel using a downloadable program

There are a large number of converters that you can download for use. Usually the most effective ones are paid ones. They are worth buying if you have to work with a large number of documents. Typically the process goes something like this:

  1. You open the required PDF file or call for it context menu by location;
  2. Select the conversion function, final format, name and directory;
  3. Performing the conversion.

Bottom line

PDF documents are very popular because they can be opened on any computer. Converting XLS to PDF is needed to make it easier to launch on different devices, make it easier to read and prevent editing and viewing table cell properties. Reverse conversion needed to work with table data in the Excel interface.