How to convert ODT files to PDF
Have you been asked to convert an ODT document to PDF so that it can be distributed online without the risk that someone will not be able to view it correctly, but you don’t know how to do it? Don’t worry, this is really a no-brainer. You will get the job done even if – as you say – you don’t understand anything about computers!
The ODT files are nothing more than text documents in the OpenDocument format, a file format created as a free alternative to proprietary formats of Microsoft Office. The main software used to create them are OpenOffice and LibreOffice, two free and open source productivity suites that for some years have been competing for the best free alternative to Microsoft Office.
Well, to convert ODT files to PDF all you have to do is rely on one of them. Or, if you need to convert many documents at the same time, you can use some very practical online services that allow you to do everything directly from the browser. All for free and without installing new programs on your computer. So, can we know that you are waiting to get to work? There are documents to be delivered!
LibreOffice / OpenOffice
ODT files – as we just pointed out – almost always come from OpenOffice or LibreOffice. Therefore, if you are dealing with such a document, it is very likely that one of these two productivity suites is already installed on your PC.
Well, know that LibreOffice and OpenOffice (being based on the same source code) both contain the export function to PDF and both allow you to convert ODT files to PDF following the same, very simple, steps.
All you need to do is open the ODT files to be converted to PDF (by double-clicking its icon or by selecting Open from the menu File of Writer ) and select Export to PDF from the menu file that is located in the upper left .
A window will open in which you can adjust all the parameters relating to the PDF to be generated. Through the Pages box you can choose whether to convert all the pages of the original ODT file or just a specific page range; putting the check mark next to the entry Lossless compression or next to the entry JPEG compression you can choose whether or not to compress the images included in the document; by going to the Security tab and clicking on the Set password button you can protect the PDF from unauthorized access or you can block its modification and printing, and so on.
Once you have adjusted all the settings according to your tastes, all you have to do is click on the Export button , select the folder in which to save the final PDF and press the Save button .
Are you dealing with an ODT file that contains a fillable form ? Then make sure that in the window that appears after selecting the Export to PDF option from the File menu, the option Create PDF form is also selected (otherwise the generated PDF will not be fillable). For more information on this, check out my tutorial on how to create editable PDFs .
Note: in case OpenOffice or LibreOffice are not yet installed on your computer, find out how to do it by looking for one of the many themed tutorials available on the blog. One above all is the one about How to Download OpenOffice .
Online2PDF
If you need to convert multiple ODT files to PDF at the same time, try Online2PDF . It is a completely free online service, which does not require registration in order to function, thanks to which it is possible to convert up to 20 files at a time for a maximum weight of 100MB. It is compatible with all web browsers and respects the privacy of users by deleting all files that are uploaded to its servers within a few hours.
To use it, linked to its home page and drag the ODT files to be transformed into PDF in the red box at the bottom. Then click on the Convert button and wait for the documents to be converted first and then downloaded to your PC. It should take just a few seconds.
If you want, you can also merge the content of two or more ODT files and transport it into a single PDF. All you have to do is select the Merge files item from the Mode drop-down menu , arrange the documents in the order you want to be respected in the final PDF (using the mouse) and click on the Convert button .
ZamZar
ZamZar is another proven online converter, which allows you to convert multiple documents at the same time with a ceiling of 100MB per upload. It respects the privacy of users like Online2PDF, but unlike the latter it requires the entry of a valid email address to work; email address to which the links to download the generated files are sent.
To use it, linked to its home page and drag the ODT documents to be transformed into PDF in the green box. Then select the pdf item from the Step 2 drop-down menu , type your email address in the Step 3 field and press the Convert button to start converting the files.
Within a few minutes you will receive e-mails with links to download all the documents you have chosen to convert.