With novaPDF you can create PDF files in several ways: using the novaPDF Start page, the novaPDF add-in for Microsoft Office or printing directly to the novaPDF printer driver.
novaPDF Start page
This start page can be opened from the program's start group (go to Start->Programs->novaPDF and click on the executable file). It will let you quickly convert a document to PDF by selecting the document and clicking on Create. However, it will use the default settings of novaPDF to create the PDF file. So, if you need those changed either modify them before creating the PDF (via the Printing Preferences window) or create the PDF by printing it directly to the novaPDF printer driver.
Convert a file to PDF
Enter the path to the document you want converted into PDF or use the Browse button to select it. Once you selected the document click on the Create button. This will start the application associated with the document you selected, and will ask you where to save the PDF file (can be configured to save it automatically via the Printing Preferences->Save tab).
This start page also contains two columns with screenshots and details. These are only informative and offer the user more information about the other options that can be used to create PDF files.
Using novaPDF start page to create PDF files - advantages:
| • | Quick access. The start page is quickly accessible from the novaPDF start menu group. Simply click on the Windows button, go to Start->Programs->novaPDF group and click on the executable file. This will launch the start page and let you select a document to convert to PDF. |
Using novaPDF start page to create PDF files - disadvantages:
| • | Difficult to change preferences. The start page is meant for quick access to convert a document. Thus it will use the default settings of the novaPDF printer for creating the PDF files. In order to use custom settings, you'll have to change those before the printing from the Printing Preferences window. |
| • | Convert hidden hyperlinks. It can convert only visible links in the PDF document (i.e. www.novapdf.com will be converted, but not novapdf.com), unlike the novaPDF add-in for Microsoft Office (which can convert hidden hyperlinks too). |
novaPDF Add-in for Microsoft Office
During installation novaPDF gives the option to install an add-in for Microsoft Office applications. By default is checked and it will add in the supported Microsoft Office applications (for now is available in Word and Excel) another tab called novaPDF that will let users create PDF files directly from the Office interface by simply clicking a button.
Using novaPDF add-in for Microsoft Office to create PDF files - advantages:
| • | Converts hidden hyperlinks. When the Office document contains a hyperlink (clickable text that points to an external site or file) that can be converted to a clickable active link in the resulting PDF document too. The other two methods for creating PDF files with novaPDF cannot convert hidden hyperlinks (only visible ones). |
| • | Easier bookmark conversion. When converting a Word document to a PDF using the add-in, you have the option to automatically detect Word bookmarks in the document and add them in the PDF too. This means that you don't have to define any bookmark rules for the conversion, as needed when printing directly to the printer driver |
Using novaPDF add-in for Microsoft Office to create PDF files - disadvantages:
| • | Office applications only. The add-in works only with Microsoft Office applications, so it cannot be used from other applications. |
Read more about novaPDF add-in for Microsoft Office on the Create PDF from Microsoft Word or Create PDF from Microsoft Excel sections.
novaPDF Printer Driver
The previous two options mentioned for creating PDF files rely on the novaPDF printer driver, as this is the program that actually does the conversion. novaPDF is installed as a virtual printer, so it will be shown as an actual printer in the Printers list. This means that you can create PDF files from any application that allows printing if you "print" that document to the novaPDF printer driver. This is done in the same way you would print to a regular printer, meaning you have to open the document, go to File->Print, select novaPDF as the printer and then click on Print.
Using novaPDF printer driver - advantages:
| • | Converts to PDF from any applications. It will let you convert to PDF any type of document that supports printing. The conversion is done in the same way you would print to a regular printer, just that instead of the regular printer you'll have to select the novaPDF printer driver. |
Using novaPDF printer driver disadvantages:
| • | Convert hidden hyperlinks. It can convert only visible links in the PDF document (i.e. www.novapdf.com will be converted, but not novapdf.com), unlike the novaPDF add-in for Microsoft Office (which can convert hidden hyperlinks too). |
Read more about novaPDF printer driver on the Create PDF from any application section.
