Convert Excel To PDF
Many users wish to convert Excel files to PDF ("Portable Document Format"). PDF files present your spreadsheet to others in a way that preserves the document's formatting and prevents the files from being easily altered.
In order to view a PDF file, you will need the Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website.
For MS Office 2007 & 2010 users, Excel files can be converted to PDF, with the use of an add-in (a program that interacts with Excel). If you don't already have this, a free add-in can be installed from the Microsoft Download Center website.
Once the add-in is installed, this runs whenever you start up Excel. You can then save an Excel file as a PDF document as follows:
In Excel 2007
- From the main Excel menu, click on the right arrow next to the Save As option
- Select the option PDF or XPS (see the image on the right)
- In the box that pops up, type the PDF filename, choose the file type "PDF", and click on the Publish button
In Excel 2010
- From the 'File' menu, select Save As option
- From the Save as type drop-down menu, select the option PDF (*.pdf)
- Type a filename into the File name area and click Save
You should be aware that to reverse this process (ie. convert PDF to Excel) is much more difficult. I am not aware of any free software that will do this, although there are commercial products available.
