How to Convert DOTX to PDF: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Written By Tej Pratap Shukla

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Published On December 9th, 2024

Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

File compatibility is important, especially when people work in teams and across different programs or applications. Have you ever looked at a DOTX file and thought to yourself, ‘I wonder how to convert this to PDF?’ In this guide, readers will find all the information necessary regarding the Dotx to PDF conversion process.

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Users come across the DOTX format when working with templates in Microsoft Word. However the problem arises when they need to share that file as a PDF instead. All in all, PDFs are recognized around the world, and your document will look exactly the same on any device. Thankfully, converting DOTX to PDF is straightforward, whether you’re dealing with a single file or a batch of templates. Let’s dive into the details!

What Are DOTX & PDF Formats?

To understand the conversion process, it’s helpful to know what these file types are:

DOTX is Microsoft Word template file. It is like a blueprint of documents where you get layouts, styles, and settings already designed into which you can create new documents. If compared to other DOCX files, DOTX are created to be templates for documents that can be used repeatedly.

PDF (Portable Document Format) is the superhero of document sharing. It is developed by Adobe to maintain accurate formatting across different devices and platforms. Regardless of whether you are reading this on a Windows computer, a Mac, an iPhone, or an iPad, PDF content remains the same.

Key Differences Between DOTX and PDF

Aspect	DOTX	PDF
Purpose	Template for creating Word files	Final, non-editable document
File Extension	.dotx	.pdf
Editing	Editable in Word as a template	Difficult to edit without specialized software
Compatibility	Requires Word or compatible app	Viewable on almost any device

Two Scenarios to Convert DOTX to PDF

The process of converting DOTX to PDF depends on the number of files to be converted. Let’s explore the two common scenarios:

Scenario 1: Single Conversion – In this scenario, we will take a look at various options that provide single file conversion. Here, free and online DOTX to PDF methods are most prevalant such as online converters and Microsoft Word. Take a detailed look at them later.

Scenario 2: Bulk Conversion – In this scenario, we will know about batch and bulk conversion of DOTX documents. Here, take a look at the professional solution that converts multiple DOTX files to PDF at once.

Scenario 1: Single Conversion (Free & Online)

Option 1: Using Online Converter

Online tool are the easiest option to convert a single DOTX file to PDF. These tools are free and require no installation. Here’s how you can do it:

Choose an online tool like SmallPDF, ILovePDF, FreeConvert, etc.
Upload your DOTX file by dragging it to the simple drag-and-drop interface.
Again, once the file is uploaded, select “Convert to PDF”.
The file will be generated and you will be able to download it in seconds.

Pros:

No installation required.
Free for basic use.
Quick and user-friendly.

Cons:

Requires internet access.
No support for bulk conversion.
Security hazard since you have to upload your files to their web servers and a third-party may access these files.

Option 2: Using Microsoft Word (Free Method)

MS Word is another option to convert DOTX to PDF individually. Since dotx file is a file format of Microsoft Word, you can use it to directly export the template file to PDF format. Here is the process:

Click on the DOTX file and open it with Microsoft Word.
Type Alt + F and select “Save As” or “Export” on the application toolbar.
Choose the file type as “PDF” and then click on “Save” button.
Follow the same process for the second DOTX file and so on.

Pros

Native method.
Free for those who already have MS Word.
User-friendly.

Cons

May result in change of formatting in some cases.
Very expensive for those who don’t have MS Office suite license.

Scenario 2: Bulk Conversion (Free Tool with Paid Features)

What if the requirement is to convert multiple DOTX files to PDF? Bulk conversion is better off handled with third-party tool like SysTools Document Conversion software.

The batch conversion tool enable users to convert several files at a go. It has a free trial version with limited functionality that allows to convert up to 5 files at once and put a brand watermark on the converted files. However, advanced options like unlimited conversions without watermark requires one-time payment of US$29.

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Here is how to use software to export multiple DOTX files to PDF at once:

Download and install the tool.
Import all DOTX files in the software.
Choose advanced settings of the conversion and begin the process.

set advanced settings during conversion
Pros:

Save time since the tool handles multiple files in one go.

Supports advanced options like page settings, font settings and layout settings.

Can also convert other document types like doc, docx, docm to PDF along with 40+ other formats.

Cons:

Free versions are usually limited in some form or the other.

To Wind Things Up

After knowing all the methods, it becomes relatively easy and stress-free to convert DOTX to PDF. For single conversions, free online tools are your best bet. If you’re dealing with multiple files, software with batch processing features can save you hours. Whether you’re working on a single template or a library of documents, the right tool will simplify your task.