How to Convert a Word Document to PDF Without Word Comments

Converting a Word document to a PDF format is a common requirement for professionals, students, and businesses.

A PDF ensures document integrity, making it easy to share and view across multiple platforms.

Many users face the issue of Word comments appearing in the converted PDF.

This article explores multiple ways to convert a Word document to a PDF while ensuring that comments are not included.

Why Convert Word to PDF Without Comments?

Microsoft Word allows users to add comments for collaboration, editing, and reviewing purposes.

When sharing the final version of a document, you might want to exclude comments to present a clean and professional output.

Here are some key reasons why you might want to remove comments when converting a Word document to PDF:

• Professionalism: Comments are often used for internal communication and should not appear in official documents.

• Privacy: Comments might contain confidential or sensitive information that should not be shared.

• Readability: Excessive comments can clutter the document and make it difficult to read.

• Finalization: Removing comments ensures the document is in its final form without additional notes.

Methods to Convert Word to PDF Without Comments

Several methods can be used to convert a Word document to a PDF while excluding comments. These methods include using Microsoft Word’s built-in features, third-party software, online converters, and alternative document editing applications.

Method 1: Using Microsoft Word’s Built-in PDF Export Feature

Microsoft Word has a built-in feature to save or export documents as PDFs. You can follow these steps to remove comments before conversion:

Step 1: Hide Comments in Word

1. Open your Word document.

2. Go to the Review tab in the Ribbon.

3. Click on Show Markup and uncheck Comments to hide them.

4. Ensure that All Markup is changed to No Markup in the Tracking group.

Step 2: Save as PDF

1. Click on File > Save As.

2. Choose a location where you want to save the file.

3. In the Save as type dropdown, select PDF.

4. Click Options.

5. Under Publish what, ensure that Document is selected instead of Document showing markup.

6. Click OK, then Save.

Your document will be converted to a PDF without comments.

Method 2: Printing to PDF in Microsoft Word

Another effective method is printing the document to PDF. This method ensures that only the visible content is included in the final output.

Steps to Print to PDF

1. Open your Word document.

2. Go to the Review tab and hide comments using the Show Markup option (as explained in Method 1).

3. Click on File > Print.

4. In the Printer dropdown, select Microsoft Print to PDF.

5. Click Print, then choose a location to save your PDF.

This method creates a PDF without including hidden elements such as comments.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Software

There are many third-party applications available that allow you to convert Word documents to PDF while controlling markup visibility.

Popular Third-Party Tools

• Adobe Acrobat

• PDFelement

• Nitro PDF

• Smallpdf

Steps to Convert Using Adobe Acrobat

1. Open the Word document.

2. Hide comments using the Review tab (as described in Method 1).

3. Open Adobe Acrobat.

4. Click on Create PDF.

5. Select the Word document and click Open.

6. Save the converted PDF without comments.

These tools provide advanced features such as editing, compression, and security options.

Method 4: Using Online Word to PDF Converters

If you don’t have Microsoft Word or third-party software, you can use an online converter.

Popular Online Converters

• Smallpdf (https://smallpdf.com/word-to-pdf)

• ILovePDF (https://www.ilovepdf.com/word_to_pdf)

• PDF2Go (https://www.pdf2go.com/word-to-pdf)

Steps to Convert Online

1. Open an online Word to PDF converter.

2. Upload your Word document.

3. Ensure comments are hidden before uploading.

4. Convert and download the PDF.

   
   

This method is fast and doesn’t require installation but requires an internet connection.

Method 5: Using Google Docs

Google Docs provides another alternative for converting Word documents to PDFs without comments.

Steps to Convert Using Google Docs

1. Open Google Drive and upload your Word document.

2. Open the document in Google Docs.

3. Ensure all comments are resolved or hidden.

4. Click on File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).

The downloaded PDF will not include comments.

Best Practices for Converting Word to PDF Without Comments

To ensure a smooth conversion process, follow these best practices:

1. Check for Hidden Comments: Before converting, use Review > Show Markup to ensure all comments are hidden.

2. Use Print Preview: Before saving, check the Print Preview to confirm the comments are not visible.

3. Test Different Methods: If one method doesn’t work, try another to see which best suits your needs.

4. Use Trusted Tools: If using an online converter, choose a reputable site to ensure document security.

5. Double-check the Final PDF: Open the PDF and verify that comments are not included.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Comments Still Appear in the PDF

• Ensure you selected No Markup before converting.

• Try the Print to PDF method instead.

Conversion Formatting Issues

• Use Microsoft’s built-in PDF export for better formatting.

• If formatting changes, use Adobe Acrobat for better results.

Security Concerns with Online Tools

• Avoid uploading sensitive documents to online converters.

• Use offline methods if confidentiality is a concern.

Conclusion

Converting a Word document to a PDF without comments is simple if you follow the right steps.

Microsoft Word’s built-in features, third-party software, online tools, and Google Docs all offer solutions to ensure a clean and professional document.

By following the outlined methods and best practices, you can create a PDF that is free from unnecessary comments while maintaining the integrity of your content.