Save Google Docs as PDF to Your Desktop
Saving directly to the desktop skips the step of hunting through the downloads folder. Set Chrome's download location to your desktop, then use the extension to export and the PDF appears on your desktop immediately.
Pointing Chrome at your desktop
Saving to your desktop requires a quick one-time Chrome setting. Go to Chrome Settings > Downloads. Click the Change button next to the location field. On Windows, navigate to C:\Users\YourName\Desktop. On Mac, select the Desktop folder from the sidebar. Click Select. From now on, all downloads including PDF exports save to your desktop.
Exporting after the setting is changed
With the download location set to your desktop, select the document in Google Drive and click the Docs to PDF extension icon. The PDF appears on your desktop within a few seconds. For batches, select multiple files and all the PDFs land on the desktop in sequence.
Keeping the desktop clean after batch exports
Exporting many files to the desktop at once can make it cluttered. After a batch export, select all the new PDFs on the desktop and move them into a folder. Or switch back to saving to your downloads folder for large batches and only use desktop saving for individual files you need immediate access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make Google Doc PDFs save to my desktop on Mac?
In Chrome Settings > Downloads, change the download location to your Mac's Desktop folder. Then use the extension to export. The PDF will save to the desktop.
Related article
Convert Google Docs to PDF on Mac →Ready to Try It?
Install the free Chrome extension and start converting your Google Docs to PDF in one click.
Install Free Extension