Google Docs vs Word for Team PDF Workflows
Team PDF workflows involve more than individual document conversion. Teams need consistent output, easy sharing, collaboration before export, and a workflow that all members can follow without extensive training. Both Google Docs and Word handle this well; the differences are in the details.
Standardization across team members
Teams using Google Docs can standardize PDF export by having all members install the Docs to PDF extension. The output is consistent because all conversions use the same Google API. Teams on Word can standardize by using Save as PDF with the same settings. Both approaches produce consistent output when everyone follows the same method.
Onboarding new team members
Getting a new team member set up for PDF export in Google Docs requires: installing Chrome, installing the extension. In Word: installing Word (or ensuring a Microsoft 365 license is provisioned), learning the Save as PDF workflow. Both are simple, but the Google approach requires no software license management.
External document sharing
Teams that share PDFs externally may find Google Docs workflows faster for iteration. Edit in Google Docs, export to PDF, share. Changes can be made to the live document and a new PDF exported quickly without worrying about version management of local files. Word with SharePoint offers similar capability but with more infrastructure to set up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a team share a Google Doc as a PDF link instead of downloading it?
Yes. Google Drive has a PDF preview link format that lets you share a Google Doc as a PDF view without downloading. For more control over the output, the extension is still useful for generating a downloadable PDF.
Related article
Convert Docs to PDF for Remote Teams →Ready to Try It?
Install the free Chrome extension and start converting your Google Docs to PDF in one click.
Install Free Extension