To convert your document to a PDF, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat (minimum requirements: Adobe Acrobat 5.0) installed on your computer. If you do not have this software on your personal computer, then you may use one of Baylor's computer labs. Additional help is provided by the Electronic Libraries staff in the Moody Computer Lab. Although there are Free PDF converter software available on the web and Word 2007 does offer a new Save As PDF feature these do not offer the flexibility to convert using the PDF/A standard used for Archived documents.

Editing should be done within the original Word document before converting. All changes should have been completed and approved at the time of your Final Review with the Graduate School.

To convert your document, follow the steps below:

• Go to File>Print.

When the Print screen comes up, click on the select arrow to the right of the printer name. This brings up a list of printer names.

• Select Adobe PDF ( Acrobat versions 6, 7, 8, 9: if you are using anything earlier it is suggested you use the labs to have access to the most recent version).
• Now click on Properties

This button will be to the right of the Printer Name field, since you have the Adobe PDF printer selected you should see the Adobe PDF Settings screen once you click on this button.

• For Default Settings Select PDF/A-1b:2005

There are two of these settings: one is (CMYK) the other is (RGB). This really doesn't unless you have many graphics AND you intend to print the document using a publisher. Most major publishers use CMYK as their printing standard, most small frame printer like those in our offices use RGB. So if you really need the colors in your publication to be exact then you would want to use CMYK. If it doesn't matter then you can choose either one.

• Click OK


• Click OK again.

The next screen to appear is the "Save As PDF" screen. This screen is similar to a regular save as screen. The first thing to do is make sure that you change the Save In location to properly reflect the folder or location where you want the new PDF to be saved. The next thing to do is name your file. By default Acrobat names the file the same as the word document adding .pdf at the end. Your file should be named as your Bear ID name, i.e., firstname_lastname_masters.pdf if you are a masters student, or firstname_lastname_phd [or edd].pdf, if you are a doctoral student. To rename it, highlight the current name and type the new one--remember to put the .pdf at the end. This is the correct way to name your dissertation or thesis for submission to Beardocs and UMI.

• Click on Save when you have completed the steps above.

The conversion will now take place. You will notice a little icon turning in your system tray on the lower right hand corner of your screen. When the conversion is done the PDF will automatically open.

To combine multiple PDF's, click here. When you reach the desktop display, click once on the screen to view an animated demonstration.