There are definitely advantages when working with online word processors: they’re accessible, free, and cover the same basics as their desktop counterparts.
However, as desktop word processors are progressing with the inclusion of PDF functionality, can online applications keep up? How do they incorporate PDF creation?
Take a look at a few of the popular online word processing apps that integrate PDF functionality.
1. Google Docs
Perhaps one of the main online word processor that gives you a bit more options with your PDF is Google Docs. Although you can’t import PDF files, Google Docs has a few ways in which it uses PDF functionality.
You can create a PDF from the document page and choose the Export option. From there, you can choose the orientation, paper size, page number positioning, and margins for your document.
For instant PDF creation, check a file from your list of documents. Click the More Actions option and select Save as PDF.
In addition to letting you save to the PDF format, Google Docs also uses the PDF format as a print functionality accessible from the editing interface.
2. Zoho Writer
When you need functions and features, everyone recommends Zoho Writer that has a fully loaded toolbar. In regards to the PDF, the website says, “Zoho Writer supports export of documents in PDF format. However, support for importing PDF files into Zoho Writer is not available as of now”.
For exporting, Zoho Writer gives you two options. One is from the editing interface (Export>PDF). The second is used as a print functionality and accessed from the PageView tab (PageView>Print using PDF). This option also gives you a bit more PDF document control in that it lets you designate headers and footers before you print.
3. ThinkFree
ThinkFree is another web-based word processor that has your basic PDF creation functionality. You can convert ThinkFree's Write (.doc), Calc (.xls) and Show (.ppt) formats into PDF wihtout any addtional applications.
When you edit with ThinkFree’s Power Edit mode you edit your documents using a Java runtime environment. In this mode you can choose from three ways of creating your PDF. Two are through the file menu (File> Save as PDF or File>Save>Portable Document Format). The third is through the quick creation icon in the toolbar.
To access a PDF file, ThinkFree has a View mode option where you can open and view the document without having another window opening up.
4. iNetWord
One of the features that stand out about this processor is that it lets you open and connect to html or word documents either online, on your computer or even on an FTP server. It has a variety of functions with the ability to insert video media and links and even track changes to revised documents.
However, when it comes to the PDF its features only include a quick PDF export function (Save as PDF> download to computer or iNetWord online).
5. Coventi Pages
If you’re looking for web based word processors made especially for collaboration, look no further than Coventi Pages. Coventi gives users control over collaborated documents while supporting standards-compliant document review processes.
You can upload and download files to Coventi in a number of formats. Letting you track issues, approval processes, and comments, this word processor and collaboration tool reserves its PDF export functionality only for downloading revisions of reviewed documents and document comments.
6. Glide Write
Glide is an neat website where you can sign up for personal web-desktop space. It has everything you need from calculators and personal folders to messaging tools and creation applications. Its word processing app, Glide Write, is one of the creation apps included.
Glide Write has a simplified GUI that lets you create your basic document. The app does have PDF creation functionality, however more PDF functionality is available via your Docs folder space—outside the Glide Write application.
In your Docs folder you can import, share and view PDF files. Glide will even give you the option of editing the PDF provided that security options for the PDF let you.
As you can probably tell from this small sample, online apps are geared towards easy PDF creation. While these applications are designed with the interfaces you’re used to using, they aren’t designed with the advanced PDF features you’re used to applying.
If you want control with PDF format creation, Google Docs is your best bet because it at least allows you to adjust the output of the contents before printing.
Another thing to note—security, the number one priority. This is especially true when you’re sharing files or working online. While it takes seconds to create a PDF, the downside is that these applications create unsecured PDF files. So using them for important documents is not a viable alternative.
All in all, web-based word processing apps are pretty great for creating documents with toolbars that give you pretty much every feature that you will or won’t need.
However, they don’t leave much room when it comes to PDF creation features needed to create that top notch power PDF.
If you’re a Wikipedia user who’s tried to save an article in the PDF format, then you know that the results aren’t too great. You simply get a snapshot of a saved HTML page in a PDF viewer, give or take a few a few re-formatting touches here and there.
This means you get a clean re-formatted PDF without the webpage formatting you get in your browser and, then in your PDF via conversion. 
