PDF vs Word: What's the Difference (and When to Use Each)
When to send a PDF, when to send a Word document, and what each format is actually good at.
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Tools in this guide
Short answer
PDF locks the layout so everyone sees the same thing; Word stays editable.
Use PDF for
Sending a final, sharing something that must print consistently, locking content.
Use Word for
Sharing a draft, collaborating, copying text, machine readability.
Tools
Note
PDF is great for archiving (PDF/A); Word is great for iteration. Drafts → DOCX; finals → PDF.
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How to use
Open the tool
Open the relevant tool linked below in your browser. The page handles everything client-side.
Frequently asked
Does this upload my file?
No. All ToolConvoy tools process files in your browser; nothing is uploaded to a server.
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