Converting Excel to PDF on Android

While Android devices aren’t traditionally used for heavy spreadsheet work, they’ve become increasingly capable of handling Excel files and converting them to PDF format. This guide covers various methods to convert Excel files to PDF directly on your Android smartphone or tablet.

Method 1: Using Microsoft Excel App for Android

Microsoft’s official Excel app offers built-in PDF conversion capabilities:

Step 1: Install Microsoft Excel

1. Download and install “Microsoft Excel” from the Google Play Store (if not already installed)
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account (free account works for basic features)

Step 2: Open and Convert Your Excel File

1. Open the Excel app
2. Navigate to and open the Excel file you want to convert
3. Tap the three-dot menu icon (⋮) in the upper-right corner
4. Select “Export”
5. Choose “Create PDF”
6. Wait for the conversion to complete
7. Tap “Save” to store the PDF on your device
8. Choose the save location and filename
9. Tap “Save” again to complete the process

Method 2: Using Google Sheets

Google’s spreadsheet app can open Excel files and export them as PDFs:

Step 1: Set Up Google Sheets

1. Install “Google Sheets” from the Play Store if not already installed
2. Sign in with your Google account

Step 2: Convert Using Google Sheets

1. Open Google Sheets
2. Tap the folder icon to browse files
3. Locate and open your Excel file
   • Note: The file will be converted to Google Sheets format first
4. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮)
5. Select “Share & export”
6. Choose “Save as PDF”
7. Adjust settings if needed
8. Tap “Save” to download the PDF to your device

Method 3: Using OfficeSuite

OfficeSuite is a popular third-party office suite for Android:

Step 1: Install OfficeSuite

1. Download and install “OfficeSuite” from the Google Play Store
2. Open the app and set it up

Step 2: Convert to PDF

1. Navigate to your Excel file using the app’s file browser
2. Open the file
3. Tap the three-dot menu or settings icon
4. Select “Save as” or “Export”
5. Choose “PDF” as the output format
6. Select a destination folder
7. Tap “Save” to create the PDF

Method 4: Using Dedicated PDF Converter Apps

Several apps specialize in file conversion tasks:

Option 1: PDF Converter by Cometdocs

1. Install “PDF Converter by Cometdocs” from the Play Store
2. Open the app
3. Tap “Excel to PDF”
4. Select your Excel file
5. Adjust conversion settings if needed
6. Tap “Convert”
7. Wait for the conversion to complete
8. Save the resulting PDF

Option 2: All PDF Converter

1. Install “All PDF Converter” from the Play Store
2. Launch the app
3. Select “Excel to PDF” conversion option
4. Choose your Excel file
5. Set conversion preferences
6. Tap “Convert”
7. Save the PDF when conversion is complete

Method 5: Using Online Conversion Services

When other methods aren’t available, online services can help:

Step 1: Access an Online Converter

1. Open your Android browser
2. Navigate to a conversion website (like Smallpdf, iLovePDF, or Adobe online converter)

Step 2: Convert Online

1. Select the Excel to PDF conversion tool
2. Upload your Excel file
   • You can select from your device storage, Google Drive, or Dropbox
3. Wait for the upload and conversion
4. Download the converted PDF to your device

Handling Multi-sheet Excel Files

When converting Excel files with multiple worksheets:

Using Microsoft Excel App

1. Open your Excel file in the Microsoft Excel app
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮)
3. Select “Print” instead of “Export”
4. Tap “Printer” and select “Save as PDF”
5. Under “Print What,” select “Active Sheets” or “Entire Workbook”
6. Tap “PDF” to generate the PDF with all selected sheets

Using Other Apps

• Most third-party apps will convert all sheets by default
• Some apps allow you to select specific sheets before conversion
• If individual sheet selection isn’t available, you may need to save each sheet as a separate Excel file before conversion

Troubleshooting

Formatting Issues

• Preview your Excel file before conversion to ensure proper layout
• For complex spreadsheets, you may need to adjust column widths or zoom level
• Use “Print Preview” when available to check how the PDF will appear

Large Files

• Android apps might struggle with very large Excel files
• Consider splitting large workbooks into smaller files
• Close other apps to free up memory during conversion

Storage Space

• PDF conversion may require temporary storage space
• Ensure you have enough free space on your device
• Consider clearing cache if you encounter storage errors

Conclusion

Converting Excel to PDF on Android has become much more straightforward with modern apps and services. The Microsoft Excel app provides the most direct and reliable method, while Google Sheets offers an excellent alternative. For frequent conversions, dedicated converter apps can streamline the process.

While mobile devices might not match desktop computers for handling complex spreadsheets, these methods provide functional solutions for converting Excel files to PDF when you’re on the go. The best method depends on your specific needs, such as how frequently you need to convert files and whether you have internet connectivity.

For occasional conversions of simple spreadsheets, the built-in options in Excel or Google Sheets are usually sufficient. For more complex needs or batch processing, specialized converter apps provide additional features and flexibility.