pls suggest pdf software

[Myrna]

I have been having a lot of problems with computer not connecting to internet lately. So, hubby reformatted my computer because neither of us could work out what the problems were. Computer is now connecting to internet again (fingers crossed). This also meant that I have had to re-install all software.

Five years ago I bought a pdf software from docudesk - because it was much cheaper than adobe - to convert word and excel files into pdf. I do not use the editing functions, only converting files to email to people. However, over the years docudesk keeps bringing out new software with "enhancements" which they want people to buy - and I did upgrade twice. Now, the version I had is no longer available on docudesk website for me to download and activate with the code I had. I emailed them and they emailed me back with a link with nearly destroyed my computer again . It changed things on my computer and I could only view pdf files on a web browser. Also, it appeared they sent me the link to the pdf reader functions only, and files could not be converted to pdf! Docudesk has on their website a new version - but after my experience with them I am reluctant to purchase it. The old version had been working fine for me, except it fell over a few times when docudesk brought out a new version.

To cut a long story short, what "cheap" (?) pdf software would you recommend? I have been looking at the PDF Complete (corporate version - with limited features for my requirements) for US$40 - they are a partner of HP. I have a HP desktop.

Thanks for any suggestion.

 

[markis10]

What version of word and excel are you using, the last few have had the facility to save as a PDF built into them.

 

[Mwenenzi]

With Foxit & cute pdf they install as printer. Both are free. So just print word & excell to a pdf file
I find Foxit a better pdf reader than Adobe.

PDF Reader | PDF Viewer | Foxit Reader
CutePDF - Convert to PDF for free, Free PDF Utilities, Save PDF Forms, Edit PDF easily.

What version of Windows are you running on the computer?

Edit
I use freedpf on my old PC. But does not work on Windows8
Has the ability to merge separate pdf files from separate print jobs or separate pdf files. A very useful feature for me
http://freepdf-xp.en.softonic.com/

 

[Buzzard]

Two good PDF converters that install as printers are Nitro PDF and Neo. I have Nitro but also purchased Neo Pro 9 as I do a lot of editing.
If you want free I really suggest you try Nitro. You can always uninstall it if you are not happy but I would bet you keep it.

 

[serfty]

I use cutepdf - it acts like a printer.

Just print your document to it and specify the output .Pdf file

 

[JessicaTam]

I think OpenOffice.org has pdf creation/conversion built in. It is free and compatible with Office file types.

If you have a Mac*, the free OSX Pages and Numbers software also has pdf creation.

*With all the trouble you have had, chances are you do not have a Mac.

 

[Myrna]

Excel 2010 and Word 2010. I don't think these have pdf built into them, though I may be wrong.

What version of word and excel are you using, the last few have had the facility to save as a PDF built into them.

 

[straitman]

*With all the trouble you have had, chances are you do not have a Mac.

Let us not talk about Mac please.

I am just about to use mine as a boat anchor if it does not start to behave :!:

 

[Homer]

Any OS X users reading this are just shaking their heads...

 

[Myrna]

Thanks, Jessica. I will look into OpenOffice.org.

No, I do not have a Mac. My sister from Canada was here last week when I started having problems with computer and internet. She offered to buy me a Mac laptop, but hubby would not have anything to do with Apple. He said if there was any problem with a Mac, I would be on my own

I think OpenOffice.org has pdf creation/conversion built in. It is free and compatible with Office file types.

If you have a Mac*, the free OSX Pages and Numbers software also has pdf creation.

*With all the trouble you have had, chances are you do not have a Mac.

 

[Myrna]

What is OS X user?

Any OS X users reading this are just shaking their heads...

 

[Myrna]

Thanks, Mwenenzi and Buzzard for your quick replies. I will of course follow all the suggestions.

 

[Homer]

What is OS X user?

That's what's running on the Mac that your husband says he ...

... would not have anything to do with Apple. He said if there was any problem with a Mac, I would be on my own

But you are almost on your own because ...

I have been having a lot of problems with computer not connecting to internet lately. So, hubby reformatted my computer because neither of us could work out what the problems were.

So don't listen to everything "hubby" says. But he's not necessarily wrong. Reformatting a Windows box every five years or so because intrinsic functionality like, you know, "the internet" just stops working. Yeah, that happens.

 

[markis10]

Excel 2010 and Word 2010. I don't think these have pdf built into them, though I may be wrong.

Both support native PDF (please ignore the dummies reference in the link)

How to Save an Excel 2010 Workbook as a PDF or XPS File - For Dummies

 

[JessicaTam]

Let us not talk about Mac please.

I am just about to use mine as a boat anchor if it does not start to behave :!:

Give me a ring tomorrow if you like.
"The doctor is in".

 

[lovestotravel]

What version of word and excel are you using, the last few have had the facility to save as a PDF built into them.

WOW - Thanks for that, I didn't even know that PDF was in the Save list as a possible option

I was also about to buy some PDF software just so that I could save in a PDF format

Thanks

 

[Myrna]

Thanks, Homer. Very funny comments

Thanks, markis10, for the link. Will try it out!

 

[Hvr]

I use PrimoPdf which like many of the other programs is an easy to use 'printer'.

 

[medhead]

I think OpenOffice.org has pdf creation/conversion built in. It is free and compatible with Office file types.

If you have a Mac*, the free OSX Pages and Numbers software also has pdf creation.

*With all the trouble you have had, chances are you do not have a Mac.

My macbook without pages will print to pdf.

Thanks, Jessica. I will look into OpenOffice.org.

No, I do not have a Mac. My sister from Canada was here last week when I started having problems with computer and internet. She offered to buy me a Mac laptop, but hubby would not have anything to do with Apple. He said if there was any problem with a Mac, I would be on my own

There would be no problems with the Mac, so it doesn't matter. In fact that is almost a tautology from your hubby.

 

[Myrna]

Hubby read the replies on the weekend. And, he thought maybe icopy + CutePDF as suggested could be a go. I forgot to mention that what I also needed would be the ability to scan documents on a printer into pdf - not just converted word & excel into pdf. At the moment the 50 free copies from PDF complete / HP are still OK. So, hubby said when this run out, he will try the other solutions.

Thanks again, everyone, for your replies - it was much appreciated.