Convert Word to PDF — Batch DOC/DOCX to PDF Converter for Windows

Need to turn Word documents into PDF? Total Doc Converter converts DOC and DOCX files to PDF with full control over layout, security, and metadata — and does it in batch, processing hundreds of files in one run. Unlike "Save as PDF" in Word, our converter:

Converts both DOC (Word 97–2003) and DOCX (Word 2007+) files to PDF
Processes an entire folder of Word files in a single batch
Adds PDF encryption, user permissions, and digital signatures
Inserts custom headers, footers, page numbers, and watermarks
Works 100% offline — no files uploaded anywhere
Provides command-line interface for server-side automation
Includes a 30-day free trial with no limitations

Download Total Doc Converter and start converting Word files to PDF today.

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Word vs PDF: What Is the Difference?

DOC and DOCX are Microsoft Word's native formats. They are designed for editing: you can change text, move images, adjust styles, and reflow content. This flexibility is great while you're working on a document, but it also means the file can look different on another computer — different fonts, different margins, different page breaks. Word files also require Microsoft Office or a compatible editor to open.

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a fixed-layout format created by Adobe. A PDF looks identical on every screen, every printer, and every operating system. It is the standard for sharing final documents — contracts, reports, invoices, manuals — because the recipient sees exactly what you intended. PDFs can also carry encryption, digital signatures, and access restrictions that Word files cannot.

When you convert Word to PDF, the document's visual layout is frozen: fonts are embedded, images are locked in place, and page breaks become permanent. The result is a file that cannot be easily modified — exactly what you want when distributing finished documents.

How to Convert Word to PDF

Step 1. Launch Total Doc Converter. The left panel shows a folder tree for quick navigation.
Step 2. Browse to the folder that contains your Word files. The file list in the center displays all supported documents (DOC, DOCX, RTF, TXT, and more).
Step 3. Check the files you want to convert. Use Check All to select every file in the folder for batch conversion.
Step 4. Click PDF in the format toolbar at the top of the window.
Step 5. In the conversion wizard, configure PDF settings: page size, margins, headers/footers, encryption, and user permissions. Choose a destination folder for the output files.
Step 6. Press Start. The converter processes all selected files and saves PDF output to your chosen folder.

Total Doc Converter - Word to PDF batch conversion interface

Each Word file becomes a separate PDF. Original DOC/DOCX files remain untouched. You can also merge multiple Word files into a single PDF — useful for combining chapters, appendices, or report sections into one document.

Command-Line Conversion

Total Doc Converter includes a command-line interface for converting Word files without the GUI. Example:

DocConverter.exe C:\Data\report.docx C:\Output\report.pdf -c PDF -EncType 1 -OwnerPassword secret

You can wrap this command in a .bat file or a scheduled task to automate recurring conversions. This is useful for server-side document processing — for example, automatically converting uploaded Word files to PDF in a document management system or intranet portal.

Why Use Total Doc Converter?

PDF security features. Set owner and user passwords, restrict printing, copying, and editing. Add digital signatures with certificates. These options are available for every file in the batch — no need to set them one by one in Acrobat.

Batch processing. Select 1,000 Word files and convert them all to PDF in a single run. Each document becomes a separate PDF, or you can merge them into one. No need to open files one by one in Word and "Save as PDF".

Headers, footers, and watermarks. Add page numbers, dates, company name, "Confidential" stamps, or any custom text to every page of the output PDF. Control font, size, and position (left/center/right).

No Microsoft Word required. Total Doc Converter is a standalone application. It reads DOC and DOCX files using its own parser — no Office installation needed on the machine. This makes it ideal for servers and workstations without Word.

Layout fidelity. Fonts, images, tables, and page formatting are preserved in the output PDF. The converter handles complex documents with embedded objects, multi-column layouts, and mixed orientations.

20+ output formats. Besides PDF, convert Word files to HTML, RTF, XHTML, TXT, ODT, JPEG, TIFF, and more — all from the same program. Total Doc Converter also reads RTF, ODT, TXT, and other input formats.

Online Converters vs Desktop Converter

Feature	Online Tools	Total Doc Converter
File size limit	5–50 MB typical	No limit
Batch conversion	One file at a time	Unlimited
Privacy	Files uploaded to cloud	100% offline
PDF encryption	Rarely available	Passwords, permissions, signatures
Headers/footers	No	Custom text, page numbers, dates
Automation	Manual only	Built-in command line
Pricing	Subscription or per-file	One-time $49.90

Windows 7/8/10/11 • 30-day free trial

When Do You Need Word to PDF Conversion?

Here are the most common scenarios where converting Word to PDF is necessary:

Distributing final documents. Contracts, proposals, reports, and invoices should reach the recipient exactly as you designed them. PDF freezes the layout so nothing shifts when opened on a different computer, phone, or operating system.
Protecting document content. PDF lets you add password protection, restrict printing and copying, and attach digital signatures. Word files offer none of these security features. Converting to encrypted PDF is the standard way to protect sensitive business documents.
Archiving. PDF/A (a subset of PDF) is an ISO standard for long-term document storage. Government agencies, law firms, and corporations archive documents as PDF because the format is stable, self-contained, and guaranteed to render correctly decades from now.
Publishing and printing. Print shops and publishers require PDF for pre-press workflows. Fonts are embedded, colors are predictable, and page geometry is fixed — unlike Word, where a missing font can change the entire layout.
Email attachments. PDF is smaller than DOCX for the same content and opens on every device without compatibility issues. Sending a PDF instead of a Word file also prevents the recipient from accidentally editing your document.