Exporting a Tagged/Accessible PDF from Microsoft Word

Creation date: 8/20/2026 4:24 PM    Updated: 8/20/2026 4:40 PM   accessibility mac pdf windows word
Word has several built-in tools to improve document readability and accessibility through tagging. This Knowledgebase article will provide step-by-step instructions on how to export a tagged/accessible PDF from Microsoft Word on both Windows and macOS operating systems.

Windows

  1. Click Save As.
  2. Select PDF (*.pdf) from the dropdown menu.
  3. Click More options...

A screenshot of the Save As menu in Microsoft Word on Windows with labels for steps 1-3.

  1. Select Standard (publishing online and printing).
  2. Click Options.
  3. Check Document structure tags for accessibility
  4. Click Ok.
  5. Click Save.

A screenshot of the Save As menu in Microsoft Word on Windows with labels for steps 4-8.

macOS


  1. Click File.
  2. Click Save As... or Save a Copy...

A screenshot of Microsoft Word on macOS with labels for steps 1-2.

  1. Select PDF from the dropdown menu.
  2. Select Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (uses Microsoft online service).
  3. Click Export.

 A screenshot of the Save As menu in Microsoft Word on macOS with labels for steps 3-5.