27

I think there used to be a way to link to the PDF version of a Google Docs, but now I can only make a link that downloads the PDF instead of viewing it in the browser. Does anybody know if the old technique is still supported? I found several discussions in the Google support forum, but nothing definitive. The Google Docs API only lists the download method, so I suspect I'm out of luck.

Just to be clear, I want to link to a PDF file that gets automatically updated whenever the Google Docs changes.

serenesat
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Don Kirkby
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7 Answers7

20

You can do it by using the Export as PDF tool like this:

Your document link (example):

https://docs.google.com/x/yyyy/document/z/nvjsinmsdfjnlsnlkkn-hslknl1_V7sc/edit

Change the end of link from /edit to /export?format=pdf

https://docs.google.com/x/yyyy/document/z/nvjsinmsdfjnlsnlkkn-hslknl1_V7sc/export?format=pdf

However this needs Sharing setting to be modified Anyone who has the link can view

It works with:

/export?format=docx
/export?format=odt
/export?format=rtf
/export?format=pdf
/export?format=txt
/export?format=html
Vidar S. Ramdal
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Tomi
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18

Replace the beginning of the url with the Google Docs viewer.

This is what you need:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https://docs.google.com/x/yyyy/document/z/nvjsinmsdfjnlsnlkkn-hslknl1_V7sc/export?format=pdf

serenesat
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contehhh
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4

To preview in PDF-like format, add /preview at the end, e.g.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/DOCS_ID/preview

To export as PDF, use the following URL structure:

https://docs.google.com/document/export?format=pdf&id=DOCS_ID

Example wget command:

wget --content-disposition "https://docs.google.com/document/export?format=pdf&id=1QtgW1rdyqaGVP3cqDSagTacewsND41t22hD3hdS7b-w"
kenorb
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3

It took me a lot of struggle and the very helpful comment by @Quinn Comendant to figure this one out.

The url needs to end with: /export?format=pdf&attachment=false

example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PjO5dM4KQLWBFU2IzBE5gINwFU13ub9uvVRywk2Hx_s/export?format=pdf&attachment=false

ale
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benjamin ratelade
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2

Publishing a Google Document as a PDF is not supported yet :(

(Though it IS supported for Spreadsheets...)

OrangeBox
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1

After you click on the PDF, you will notice a Share link on the top-left corner. Select Sharing Settings option from the menu & change the settings to "Public on the web" or "Anyone with the link" instead of the default which is Private.

When you share that link, others can view it within the browser without having to download the PDF

mvark
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0
  1. Click 'Print' or the icon for the printer in the Google Drive.

  2. At the 'Destination' field, click the 'Change' button and choose "Save to Google Drive" as your destination. If "Save to Google Drive" does not display as an option among your printers,

    2a. Select 'Show All' at the bottom of your list and it should display. Or, type 'google drive' in the 'Search Destinations' field.

  3. Click 'Save'

  4. Go to your Google Drive homepage and select 'Recent' to display your new .pdf file
  5. Rename or organize at will.
user186562
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