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How-To Guide

How to Convert ODT to PDF

ODT (OpenDocument Text) is the default format for LibreOffice Writer and OpenOffice. While ODT is excellent for editing, PDF is the universal standard for sharing documents — it preserves layout, fonts, and formatting across every device regardless of what software the recipient has. Converting ODT to PDF is a one-click operation in LibreOffice, or instant with an online tool.

See what FormatDrop converts
FormatDrop doesn't convert ODT to PDF yet. The methods below use free tools that do. FormatDrop's own converters cover common image, audio, video and PDF formats, all in your browser.

Free ways to convert ODT to PDF

  1. 1

    LibreOffice Writer (free)

    Open the .odt file and choose File → Export as PDF. The dialog lets you embed fonts, make a PDF/A archive copy or a fillable form. For a quick default PDF, use File → Export Directly as PDF.

  2. 2

    Command line (many files)

    soffice --headless --convert-to pdf *.odt converts a whole folder. Add --outdir pdf/ to put the PDFs in their own folder.

  3. 3

    Microsoft Word

    Word opens ODT files. Open the document, then File → Save As → PDF. Check the layout first: complex ODT formatting can shift a little in Word.

  4. 4

    Google Docs

    Upload the .odt to Google Drive, open it with Google Docs, then File → Download → PDF Document.

Why convert ODT to PDF?

ODT is the open-standard document format; PDF is the open-standard presentation format. Converting ODT to PDF means your document will look exactly right on any device, without requiring LibreOffice.

Frequently asked questions

Will ODT to PDF preserve my fonts and formatting?
Yes, with caveats. If your ODT uses common system fonts (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri), they'll be embedded in the PDF and appear correctly. If you used a custom font that the converter doesn't have, it will substitute a similar font. For guaranteed font accuracy, use LibreOffice locally which uses the same fonts as your system.
How do I convert ODT to PDF using LibreOffice on the command line?
`libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf input.odt`. To specify an output folder: `libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf --outdir /path/to/output/ input.odt`. Batch conversion: `libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf *.odt`.
Can I make the PDF editable (PDF/A or fillable)?
In LibreOffice: File → Export as PDF → tick 'Archive (PDF/A, ISO 19005)' for an archival PDF, or 'Create PDF form' to turn the document's form controls into fillable fields. Add the form controls in Writer before exporting; tools like pdftk can fill forms but can't create fields.
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