Free Word to PDF converters

[Ack]

Hey guys, I need to convert a Word file (Word 2003 to be specific) to a PDF file. I've done Google searches, but haven't come up with much that looked reputable, and the few I've tried haven't worked. Do any of you guys know of a converter to use? I don't want to pay Adobe for a converter, as there's no way I can afford it.

[flamepanther]

Libre Office (and its precursor, Open Office) can open Word documents, although 2003 support is not always perfect. Anything it can open, it can also export as a PDF. It's worth a shot, right?

[BRIK]

Open Office can do that? :O

[SpaceBooger]

I would use Open Office.
I got a new Laptop for work a couple years ago and didn't want to buy MSOffice. I downloaded OpenOffice and it opens and edits all of my Office files (excel as well) perfectly. And the best thing is that there is a button to export the file as a .pdf
I highly recommend OpenOffice I use it for everything instead of Office.

There is another option that is free but not as good - Google Docs. You can upload a Word file into Docs and then "Download as PDF" you may loose some formatting but it works and you don't have to install anything.

[flamepanther]

Open Office can do that? :O

It's been able to do that for years!



For everyone's information:
"Libre Office" is Open Office, except that no longer has Sun/Oracle in charge of it and refusing to accept any of the much needed tweaks and improvements people have been trying to make for years. Right now it's only a little bit better than Open Office, but it's going to be evolving much faster than its parent.

[BRIK]

I've always had it on my computer but never used it. I think I have a good reason to now.

[supericeboy]

CutePDF Writer is free and installs like a printer. Then from Word you simply go to File -> Print and choose CutePDF as the printer.

[Hatta]

On windows systems I use PDF Creator. It's GPL, but it does ask to install a toolbar, you should opt out of that. The benefit over using OpenOffice is that it installs as if it were a printer, and you can use it from any application you want.

On real operating systems, print to PDF is supported by default.

[jfrost]

I use 7-PDF Maker. Most softwares I tested screwed up the pages during conversion; this one kept them intact.

[Hobie-wan]

CutePDF Writer is free and installs like a printer. Then from Word you simply go to File -> Print and choose CutePDF as the printer.

PrimoPDF also does the same.