ODT to PDF

At file-converter-online.com you can convert ODT files to PDF with just a few clicks. You can use the PDF Converter free of charge and easily to save your desired ODT document in PDF format.

LibreOffice and OpenOffice (OpenOffice has been de facto discontinued since 2021 and only receives security updates) are popular, free office suites and alternatives to Microsoft Office or Apple iWork. Unfortunately, each office suite comes with its own format: DOC(X) for Microsoft, PAGES for macOS and ODT for LibreOffice. Compatibility between different Office programmes is limited, which can lead to minor or major differences in presentation. Conversion to PDF format often contributes to a consistent display across different devices.

Why ODT documents should be converted to PDF

For official documents, academic assignments, invoices and CVs, it is important that they are displayed consistently on different devices. To achieve this, you need to save the documents as a PDF file, as the file is effectively a “digital printout”. Another advantage is that the PDF file cannot be changed easily – with the explicit exception of special form fields.

PDFs are easy-to-read files with a fixed layout and this format is recommended for many official purposes. As PDF is also a very common and open format, users generally have no problem opening it, regardless of whether they are using Windows, Linux or macOS. Smartphones and tablets can also open PDF documents from within the operating system and generally do not require any additional software.
A different file format is required for editing. For Word, the standard format is DOCX; for the open-source alternative LibreOffice, the file extension is ODT. When working in LibreOffice, ODT saves all formatting and looks the same on all computers. However, opening it on other devices can be difficult, not every version of Word or Pages can read ODT documents and the layout is occasionally changed by the programme.

Methods for ODT to PDF conversion:

(*) Prerequisite: All fonts used are installed on the system.

Convert ODT to PDF with LibreOffice/OpenOffice

Directly in the menu bar you will find the easiest way to convert ODT to PDF from LibreOffice: right next to the print icon is a PDF button. Pressing the button opens the save dialogue and all you have to do is select the save location. LibreOffice then creates a PDF file that contains the entire layout. Alternatively, you can also use the shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + E (CTRL + SHIFT + E). The same procedure applies to OpenOffice.

Conversion with virtual printer

A virtual printer creates a PDF file by simulating the printing process. There are various programmes for this, but you must first install them on your computer. macOS also offers this option from the print context menu; this method works on the Mac for almost all programmes, but also has disadvantages. For example, the clickable linking of the table of contents to the chapters, headings and subheadings is not possible with this form of conversion. This limitation can be unacceptable, especially for academic papers and longer texts.

Conversion with file-converter-online.com

file-converter-online.com offers a simple online tool into which the ODT file is loaded. The finished PDF is then available for download. This works without having to open LibreOffice and is also helpful if you want to convert ODT files from a smartphone for quick online dispatch, for example. This allows you to convert ODT files regardless of device and software.

Conclusion: Convert ODT to PDF

PDF files are ideal for sending official documents such as CVs, important documents or term papers. Thanks to the simple creation from within LibreOffice, this is possible without any problems and online converters also offer you the option of converting your LibreOffice documents at any time, especially when a quick solution is required.