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Google Docs

Exporting directly from Google Docs to PDF is not your most accessible option.

The most accessible option is to export the document into Microsoft Word first, and then follow those steps to make your PDF accessible. However, you can make your Google Doc more accessible by using Grackle. Grackle is a plugin that acts as an accessibility checker.

How to download a Google Doc

  1. Click the File menu.

  2. Choose Download.

  3. Choose PDF Document (.pdf).

  4. Choose a location on your computer to save the PDF version.

  5. Click Save.

Using Grackle

  1. Go to Extensions.

  2. If installed, you will see "Grackle Docs" in the list.  If not installed, go to Add-ons.

  3. Go to Get add-ons.

  4. There you should see extensions under "Approved for You" and in that list is Grackle.

  5. Engage the Install button.

  6. Associate Grackle with your Swarthmore account.

  7. Agree to the terms.

  8. When you are ready to check a document created in the Google Suite, go to Extensions.

  9. Choose Grackle.

  10. Choose Launch.

Common Grackle Error

Chrome can get confused when there is more than one user logged in to a browser, and it causes add-ons to hang. Visit Grackle not responding for possible solutions.

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Exporting directly from Google Docs to PDF is not your most accessible option.

The most accessible option is to export the document into Microsoft Word first, and then follow those steps to make your PDF accessible. However, you can make your Google Doc more accessible by using Grackle. Grackle is a plugin that acts as an accessibility checker.

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nameLibreOffice to PDF
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LibreOffice

  1. Click the Tools menu.

  2. Click Check Accessibility.

  3. Resolve any issues that come up.

  4. Click the File menu.

  5. Choose Export As

  6. Export As PDF.

  7. A PDF Options window will open. Make sure one of the two options is selected:

    1. Tagged PDF (add document structure) and Export bookmarks are checked.

    2. Universal Accessibility (PDF/UA).

  8. Click Export.

  9. Choose a location on your computer to save the PDF version.

  10. Click Save.

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Pages

  1. Click the Print menu.

  2. Choose Save as Adobe PDF.

  3. Choose a location on your computer to save the PDF version.

  4. Click Save.

You will need to do a number of things once a Pages file is moved to PDF, including:

  • In Adobe Acrobat, you will need to run the Accessibility Check and use the results to fix the tagged PDF issue.

  • In Adobe Acrobat, you will need to run the Accessibility Check and use the results to fix the primary language check issue. Language set in Pages does not carry over to Adobe PDF. See Changing the global language of an Adobe PDF | Swarthmore ITS Solutions.

  • In Pages, you should be able to set the title. However, you will still need to “fix” it in the Accessibility Check. In Adobe Acrobat, you will need to run the Accessibility Check and use the results to fix the title check issue.

  • In Adobe Acrobat, you will need to run the Accessibility Check and use the results to fix the figures alternate text issue. Alternative text set in Pages does not carry over to Adobe PDF.

Exporting directly from Pages to PDF is not your most accessible option.

The most accessible option is actually to export the document into Microsoft Word first, and then follow those steps to make your PDF accessible.

Adobe Acrobat Tips

Signing PDFs

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