There are several ways to create PDF files, as described below.
Scanning
If you don’t own a scanner (or an all-in-one that includes a scanning feature), you can scan your documents in the Scan & Copy Center at Mugar Library or at other campus libraries where available.
You can also scan at commercial locations like the FedEx near Warren Towers.
Desktop Software
Many popular desktop software apps have a “Save As PDF” option. Use it when possible when you have an electronic version of the document.
Windows users can create PDFs using Adobe Acrobat or pdf 995. In addition to Acrobat, Mac users can create PDFs natively by selecting “Save As …” and then selecting the PDF option for most Mac apps.
NOTE that the “Print as PDF” option rarely yields a document that meets accessibility requirements. Use “Save As PDF” or “Export” options in the authoring software.
On-line
You can also use a search engine to find websites that offer PDF creation as a service – you upload a scanned document and they will email back the PDF version. Take care to use reputable sites and follow the University’s Data Protection Standards for any documents uploaded to a third-party service provider.