As a student in an increasingly digital world, you likely deal with a lot of different files every week. From PDF to Word to TXT and DOCX, it can be hard to decide what’s the best file format to hand into your professor.
Well, worry no longer, because we’re here to help.
If you’re having trouble deciding whether to hand in a Word vs PDF file, keep on reading.
Word vs PDF: What’s the Difference?
For those who aren’t aware, let’s go over the main differences between Word and PDF documents.
A Word document (usually .docx or DOC) is a raw, default file created by Microsoft Word. When you open a Word document you’re given full reign to edit the document as it is. You can write in new content, delete content, highlight things, and make any changes you see fit.
A PDF document is a file format used to display Word and other text documents in a more efficient way. You cannot edit the contents of a PDF like you can a Word document, except with certain PDF editing software. You can highlight text and write notes on the document depending on the software you open it with, but otherwise have no control over the final product.
PDF is the perfect format for image-heavy documents. It displays the images cleanly and clearly, and locks them in place. Accidentally moving an image can ruin the formatting of a whole document, so PDF removes that worry.
A PDF file is essentially the more complete after-product of a Word document. By saving your Word document as a PDF, you ensure that the formatting doesn’t get messed up by human or computer error. It’s a way to finalize your document and send it in a high-quality format.
An example of this can be seen with font choices. If you write your Word doc in a font that the professor’s computer doesn’t have, and hand it in as a Word doc, their computer will automatically assign a new font. This can mess up the readability and format of the document, making it look sloppy.
Considering this, it seems like a no-brainer to use the PDF file format. However, this isn’t always the case.
Should I Hand a PDF or Word Document in to My Professors?
There isn’t necessarily a correct answer to this question.
Most of the time, the file format you hand your paper in as is determined by your professor. Sometimes they’ll request a Word document, sometimes a PDF, and sometimes another format entirely. You should always hand your assignments in using whatever file format is requested to get full marks.
If your professor has no preference, though, a PDF could be the right call.
PDFs are cleaner, the format is locked, and they’re exactly as readable and interactive as a Word document. You can still click on hyperlinks that might be used for citations, and you can open PDFs using a myriad of free programs. Even if you don’t have Adobe Reader, you can view a PDF file through most web browsers and cellphones!
Why Do Professors Sometimes Request Word Docs?
The main reason a professor might request a Word document is for track changes.
Word documents allow you to make substantial edits to the document without actually changing the doc. These can be viewed within Word as highlights accompanied by comments. This is a good way to mark a student’s work and let the student see these edits without having their document physically changed.
Some professors may also think this is easier, or more convenient for them. They may not understand how PDFs work. The reasons a professor might not want a PDF format are varied, and it’s best to go with what the professor requests.
If you’re adamant on one vs the other, try talking to your professor about it. Educate them on the ups and downs of each format, and why PDF might work better for them. You never know what might come of it!
How Do I Convert a Word Doc to PDF (and a PDF to a Word Doc)?
Now that you know the difference between PDFs and Word docs, let’s go over how to convert them. Depending on what file type your professor wants, this can be considered a crucial skill to know.
Converting Word to PDF
The easiest way to turn a Word document into a PDF is through Word itself.
When you’ve finished with your Word document, navigate to ‘file’ and hit ‘save as.’ Under the document name bar, there’s a drop-down menu that lists available file formats. All you have to do is select PDF from the drop-down and your file will save as a PDF.
You can also use an online document converter like the one on Offdrive to convert Word to PDF, PDF to Word, and perform many other file type conversions. This is the best option if you have older files that need converted, as sometimes these files have trouble opening in the newest versions of Word.
Converting PDF to Word
Converting PDF to Word works in much the same way, although the results are sometimes messier than Word to PDF.
The main issue with PDF to Word lies in image-heavy documents. Images may come out blurry or misplaced, and sometimes don’t convert at all. This can mess up the formatting of the whole document, meaning you’ll need to go into Word for some serious fix-ups.
Conversion of PDF to DOC is always better with text-only documents as opposed to image-heavy ones, but either way, you’ll probably need to make some formatting changes before handing in.
You can use the online conversion tools at Offdrive to complete this, or convert PDF to Word using Acrobat Reader. Click ‘Export PDF’ in the right-hand pane, select ‘Word Document,’ then select ‘Export.’
Choosing Word Vs PDF
When it comes to Word vs PDF for students, it’s ultimately the professor’s choice. However, if you can get away with it, you should probably use a PDF. Not only will it keep your formatting pristine, but it’ll look better, too.
Click here to learn more about how to convert PDF to Word, and how Offdrive’s services can help you.