Save Google Doc as PDF to Desktop
Saving to the desktop is a matter of where your browser sends the downloaded file. With a small Chrome setting change, every File > Download > PDF Document and every download from the Docs to PDF online converter lands on your desktop automatically. (The Docs to PDF extension saves to Google Drive instead.)
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Setting Chrome to save to your desktop
Open Chrome Settings and go to Downloads. Click the folder icon next to the location field and select your Desktop folder. From this point, all downloads including PDF exports go to your desktop. Alternatively, enable 'Ask where to save each file before downloading' and select your desktop manually for each export.
Saving a single doc to the desktop
To save a single Google Doc as PDF to your desktop, set Chrome's download location to your desktop and use File > Download > PDF Document in the open document, or use the Docs to PDF online converter. The PDF appears on your desktop within a few seconds.
Batch saving to the desktop
The same process works for batches. Set Chrome to save to the desktop, select multiple documents in Drive, and click the extension once. All the PDFs land on your desktop in sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I save a Google Doc as PDF to my desktop on Mac?
In Chrome Settings > Downloads, set the location to your Desktop folder. Then use File > Download > PDF Document, or the Docs to PDF online converter. The PDF downloads directly to the desktop.
How do I save a Google Doc as PDF to my desktop on Windows?
Go to Chrome Settings > Downloads, click the Change button next to the location, and navigate to C:\Users\YourName\Desktop. All subsequent exports will save there.
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