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How to Save PowerPoint Presentations as PDF Files

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January 26, 2022
Last Updated
September 1, 2023
2 min read
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Microsoft PowerPoint is among the most popular programs in offices and businesses today. It allows us to create a presentation, then share it or show it to others. 

But you may have experienced a time when you needed your PowerPoint presentation as a PDF.

We’ll show you how to do this easily and quickly! 

If you want to learn how to save your PowerPoint presentation as a PDF file, then continue reading! 

Why Would I Save a PowerPoint Presentation as a PDF?

There are many reasons why it would make sense to save your PowerPoint file as a PDF. 

A few of these reasons include:

  • Locking content and formatting in place, so other people can view it but can’t make changes.
  • Allows anyone to see your presentation even if they do not have Microsoft PowerPoint installed.
  • This option works for both Mac and Windows! 
  • Makes it easy to email and send your presentations to others, since PDFs often have small file sizes.
  • Convenient, easy, and free! 

The most common reason to save a PowerPoint presentation as a PDF file, is when you want to send or share your presentation with someone else who doesn’t have Microsoft PowerPoint installed on their computer. 

PowerPoint files are best when opened in its native program, so for those without Microsoft PowerPoint, it can be an inconvenience to try and open a PowerPoint file. 

Fortunately, PDFs can be opened on any computer and mobile device. 

This makes them perfect for sharing documents, like a PowerPoint presentation, to others, and ensuring that they’re able to view the file. 

How to Save PowerPoint as PDF (without Notes)

By far the easiest and quickest way to turn a PowerPoint presentation into PDF is by using PowerPoint’s built-in Save feature. Perfect for saving your PDF without the notes. 

1. Open your presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint.

2. Press the File tab.

File tab in PowerPoint with a yellow box around it.

3. Click Save As.

Save As button in Microsoft PowerPoint.

4. Click Browse

Browse button highlighted in PowerPoint.

5. Use the dropdown menu to find PDF.

PowerPoint Save As dialog box with PDF selected as the file type.

6. Press Save

Save button highlighted in Save As dialog box in PowerPoint.

Please note: Saving a PowerPoint presentation as a PDF is different than converting PowerPoint to PDF. If you need to convert PowerPoint to PDF, read our helpful guide for more information! 

How to Export PowerPoint as a PDF (without Notes)

1. Open your Word document in Microsoft Word.

2. Click File.

File tab in PowerPoint with a yellow box around it.

3. Click Export.

Export button in Microsoft PowerPoint.

4. Click Create PDF/XPS Document.

Create PDF XPS Document highlighted in PowerPoint.

5. Press Publish.

Publish button highlighted in Publish as PDF or XPS dialog box.

What’s the Difference Between Saving and Exporting as a PDF? 

Save As allows you to save your word document into a variety of file formats, other than just PDF. Whereas Export only exports in PDF/XPS format. 

For our needs, both methods will produce the same result.

How to Save PowerPoint as PDF (with Notes)

If your PowerPoint presentation has notes that you want to include in the PDF document, follow these steps. 

1. Open your presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint

2. Press the File tab.

File tab in PowerPoint with a yellow box around it.

3. Click Print.

Print tab in PowerPoint.

4. Set Printer to Microsoft Print to PDF.

Microsoft Print to PDF selected as printer, and highlighted, in PowerPoint.

5. In Print Layout, select Notes Pages.

Print Layout with Notes Pages highlighted in PowerPoint.

6. Press Print.

Print button highlighted in PowerPoint.

7. Type a name for your new PDF file, then press Save.

Save button highlighted in Print to PDF dialog box.

Summary 

PowerPoint presentations are excellent for creating and sharing presentations, and are common in businesses and offices. However, sometimes it makes more sense to save your presentation as a PDF, especially when sending it to others. 

Fortunately, Microsoft makes it extremely easy to save your PowerPoint as PDF directly from their program! We showed you three methods to save your PowerPoint presentation as a PDF, and we hope you’ve found it helpful. 

Remember: converting and saving as PDF are different things! Do you need to convert to PDF? Download PDF Pro for free today or Buy Now!

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Digital Marketing SpecialistArron Staradub
Arron is a Digital Marketer at PDF Pro, where he writes helpful and engaging articles for those that that use PDFs in their daily life. He has a knack for explaining concepts in an easily understandable way. He also loves reading and drinking too much coffee.

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