Guides
Working with documents, honestly explained.
How PDF operations actually work, what can go wrong, and how to keep sensitive documents private. More guides arrive as the tools they describe ship — never before.
Organize & convert
- Merge PDF files free — no account, no limitMerging PDFs is a simple operation that should not require an account or subscription. This guide covers the best free options and how to merge PDFs correctly.7 min read
- Convert HEIC to PDF on iPhone — no app needediPhones save photos in HEIC format by default. Here is how to convert HEIC images to PDF using only built-in iOS features, no third-party app required.6 min read
- Excel to PDF: why most converters break your layoutExcel layout problems in PDF output come from specific causes. This guide explains what breaks during Excel-to-PDF conversion and how to prevent it.6 min read
- Convert Word to PDF free — no account, no watermarkWord to PDF conversion is free on several tools — but most add watermarks, require accounts, or upload your document to a shared server. This guide explains the differences.5 min read
- Save any webpage as a PDF — no browser extension neededSaving a webpage as PDF can be done in the browser, with a tool, or with a dedicated converter. This guide explains each method and when to use which.5 min read
- How to convert an HTML file to PDF — three methods comparedConvert a local HTML file to PDF using a browser, a command-line tool, or an online converter. This guide covers each method and its trade-offs.5 min read
- Convert JPG to PDF — combine photos into a single documentConvert one or more JPG images to PDF online without uploading. Your photos are arranged on A4 pages and packaged into a single PDF, entirely in your browser.3 min read
- Split PDF — extract pages without uploading your fileSplit a PDF into individual pages or extract a range of pages entirely in your browser. No upload required — your document never leaves your device.3 min read
- Rotate PDF pages — fix orientation without uploadingRotate PDF pages 90°, 180°, or 270° directly in your browser. Fix portrait-to-landscape orientation issues on individual pages or the whole document, with no upload required.3 min read
- Convert PowerPoint to PDF — preserve slides for sharingConvert a PowerPoint .pptx or .ppt file to PDF so anyone can view it without PowerPoint installed. Fonts, layouts, and slide order are preserved using LibreOffice.3 min read
- Reorganize PDF pages — delete, reorder, and rearrange without uploadingDelete unwanted pages, drag to reorder, and download the result — all in your browser. Your PDF is never uploaded. No account required.3 min read
Edit & annotate
- How to crop a PDF (without uploading it)Crop the margins or borders off a PDF's pages in your browser — losslessly, without uploading the file. How cropping works, why it's not the same as redaction, and how to do it on every page at once.4 min read
- Edit a PDF online — what you can and can't change (and how)Practical guide to editing PDFs online: sign, fill forms, organize pages, redact, watermark, and more — all without uploading your document. Honest about what 'edit' means.4 min read
- Watermark a PDF — stamp text across every pageAdd a text watermark (DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, your company name) to every page of a PDF. This guide covers watermark positioning, opacity, and what watermarks actually prevent.3 min read
- Redact a PDF — permanently remove sensitive textPermanently remove sensitive text and images from a PDF. This guide explains the difference between real redaction and just covering text, and how to verify redaction worked.4 min read
- Fill out a PDF form online — type into fields without printingFill in PDF form fields directly in your browser without printing or scanning. Works with standard AcroForm fields: text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, and dropdowns.3 min read
- Add page numbers to a PDF — place numbers on every page in secondsAdd page numbers to any PDF in your browser — choose position, size, and starting number. Runs on-device: your file is never uploaded.3 min read
PDF output
- How to convert PDF to Word without losing formattingFormatting loss in PDF to Word conversion is caused by specific technical limitations, not converter quality. This guide explains the causes and how to get the best results.8 min read
- Why your PDF to Word converter is destroying your formattingPDF-to-Word formatting problems are caused by specific technical factors. This guide explains what happens inside a converter and which problems can be avoided.7 min read
- How to compress a PDF without losing qualityPDF compression reduces file size by removing data. This guide explains which data is removed at each quality level and how to compress while preserving what matters.6 min read
- PDF to image: JPG vs PNG vs WebP — which to chooseTurning a PDF page into an image means picking a format. A practical comparison of JPG, PNG, and WebP on file size, sharpness, and compatibility — with measured numbers.5 min read
- OCR a PDF online — extract text from scanned documentsRun OCR on a scanned PDF to extract searchable, selectable text. This guide explains how OCR works, what affects accuracy, and when online OCR is the right tool.4 min read
- Repair a corrupted PDF — recover files that won't openFix a PDF that won't open or displays errors. This guide explains what causes PDF corruption, what can be recovered, and when a file is unrecoverable.4 min read
- Convert PDF to Markdown — structured text for docs, LLMs, and editorsConvert a PDF to Markdown in your browser. Headings, paragraphs, and bold are preserved from the text layer. Useful for documentation, LLM prompts, and content migration.3 min read
- Convert PDF to PowerPoint — turn PDF slides back into editable PPTXConvert a PDF presentation to an editable PowerPoint PPTX file. LibreOffice-powered conversion on a secure server — file deleted within 60 minutes.3 min read
- How to convert PDF to Excel — what works, what doesn't, and whyConverting a PDF to Excel is not the same as unlocking it. This guide explains what PDF-to-Excel actually does, when it works well, and when you'll need to clean up the output.4 min read
- How to convert a PDF to JPG — free, on-device, at 300 DPIA PDF does not become a JPG by saving it differently — each page is rendered into an image at a set resolution. Here is what that means, how to pick the right DPI, and how to do it without uploading your file.4 min read
- What is PDF/A and how to convert your PDF to itPDF/A is the ISO standard for archiving PDFs in a self-contained format. This guide explains what it is, when you need it, and how to convert your PDF to PDF/A without uploading to a third-party service.4 min read
Security & privacy
- The privacy problem with online file convertersOnline PDF converters handle sensitive documents but rarely explain how long they retain files or what they do with them. This guide explains the risks and how to evaluate a converter's privacy model.7 min read
- How to sign a PDF online for free — no upload requiredMost PDF signing tools upload your document to a server. This guide explains how to sign a PDF free online without giving up your document.5 min read
- Password protect a PDF — add encryption that actually worksAdd a password to a PDF so it can only be opened by people who know it. This guide explains PDF encryption, password strength, and what protection actually prevents.4 min read
- Remove a PDF password — unlock a PDF you ownRemove the password from a PDF file you own so it opens without prompting. This guide explains when unlocking works, when it doesn't, and the difference between open and permissions passwords.3 min read
Context & comparisons
- PDF tool credit limits — why they exist and how to finish your workHit a credit limit on your PDF tool? This guide explains why credit systems work the way they do and which alternatives let you convert files without counting credits.6 min read
- PDF tool rate limits — why they exist and how to work through a batchHit an hourly rate limit on your PDF tool? This guide explains why per-hour limits work the way they do and which alternatives handle PDF conversion without hourly caps.7 min read
- Best free PDF converter with no sign-up requiredThe best free PDF converters work without an account — and the strongest never upload your file at all. A practical comparison on privacy, limits, and what each one actually covers.6 min read