How to Save a Slideshow as a PDF in PowerPoint 2013

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Introduction

Saving your PowerPoint presentations as PDF files can be extremely useful for sharing and distribution. A PDF file freezes the formatting and layout, allowing anyone to view the slides even if they don’t have PowerPoint installed.

Benefits of Saving as PDF

Here are some of the biggest benefits of saving PowerPoint files as PDFs:

  • Universal Accessibility – PDF files are viewable on any device with a PDF reader installed. People do not need to have PowerPoint to view the slides.
  • Preserves Formatting – When saving as PDF, all fonts, images, animations, slide sizes, and other formatting are preserved. The PDF will appear exactly as intended.
  • Discourages Editing – Those viewing the PDF cannot make changes to the file contents or formatting. The presentation is locked.
  • Compact File Size – PDF files are typically smaller in size than PowerPoint files, making them easier to email and share.
  • Print Ready – PDF files are designed to print properly on any printer. Font substitutions will not occur.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to save a PowerPoint 2013 presentation as a PDF file:

  1. Open PowerPoint and the presentation you want to save as a PDF
  2. Select “File” from the top menu
  3. Choose “Export” from the left sidebar
  4. Click on “Create PDF/XPS Document”
  5. Click on “Create PDF/XPS” near the bottom
  6. In the save dialog box, choose a location and enter a file name
  7. Click the “Options” button to customize the PDF appearance if desired
    • Options include page range, quality level, handouts, and more
  8. Click “OK” after setting options
  9. Click the “Publish” button to generate the PDF
  10. Open the PDF to verify it appears as intended before sharing

Customization Options

When saving a PowerPoint presentation to PDF, make sure to click on the “Options” button before finalizing. This opens a menu with customization choices:

Slide Range

  • Save all slides or only a subset by entering slide numbers

Quality

  • Standard for high print quality or Minimum for smaller files

Slides Per Page

  • Fit multiple slides on each PDF page

Additional Elements

  • Choose to include speaker notes, comments, hidden slides and other elements

Take a minute to review these settings to ensure the PDF meets your needs.

Converting Notes to Text

If you want to include speaker notes below the slides, make sure to check the “Document structure tags for accessibility” box in the options. This will convert notes into readable text in the PDF.

Conclusion

Saving PowerPoint presentations as PDF files only takes a few clicks but provides tremendous benefits. When sharing a slideshow with others, it is often best to use the PDF format for wider accessibility, preserved formatting, and discouraged editing by recipients. Additionally, the ability to customize the layout and included elements makes PDF conversion very versatile. Follow the step-by-step process outlined above to easily save a PDF from any PowerPoint 2013 presentation.

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