Automate Docs to PDF with Make.com

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Automate Google Docs to PDF with Make.com

Using make.com, you can automatically convert Google Docs to PDF and send or save them without writing any code. This guide walks you through building a simple automation that turns your documents into PDFs on demand, so you can streamline document workflows for your team or clients.

The tutorial below follows the logic of the official how-to from the Make platform and adapts it into a clear, step-by-step process you can implement right away.

Why automate Google Doc to PDF with Make.com

Instead of manually downloading each Google Doc as a PDF, make.com lets you build a reusable workflow. You can trigger it whenever you need, and the scenario will automatically create the PDF and deliver it where you want.

Typical use cases include:

  • Generating invoices or proposals as PDFs from template documents
  • Creating signed agreement copies from finalized docs
  • Producing reports as PDFs and sending them to stakeholders

All of this is done in the browser, using a visual scenario editor.

What you need to get started in Make.com

Before building your scenario, prepare the following:

  • A make.com account with access to the scenario editor
  • A Google account with Google Docs and Google Drive enabled
  • Permission to connect your Google services to make.com
  • At least one Google Doc you want to convert to PDF

If you are designing a broader automation strategy, you may also want guidance from specialists. For example, Consultevo offers consulting around automation and integration tools that complement make.com scenarios.

Overview of the Make.com Google Doc to PDF workflow

The conversion workflow in make.com typically includes three main parts:

  1. Trigger – how the scenario starts, such as an instant webhook or manual run
  2. Google Docs module – retrieving the content of the selected Google Doc
  3. Export and output module – converting the document to PDF and sending or saving it

You can flexibly connect multiple apps and services around this core flow inside make.com.

Step 1: Create a new scenario in Make.com

First, create the workspace where your automation will live.

  1. Log in to your make.com dashboard.
  2. Click on Create a new scenario.
  3. In the scenario canvas, you will see an empty module slot with a plus icon.
  4. Click the plus icon to add your first module.

At this point, you have an empty scenario ready to be configured in make.com.

Step 2: Choose a trigger for your Make.com scenario

The trigger defines when your conversion will run. For a basic setup, you might use:

  • Manual trigger – start the scenario directly from the editor
  • Webhook – trigger the scenario via an external system or a form
  • Schedule – run conversions at a specific time or interval

To configure the trigger in make.com:

  1. Click the scenario canvas and choose a trigger module, such as Webhook > Custom webhook or Tools > Sleep for testing.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the trigger setup.

Once the trigger is ready, your make.com scenario will be able to run automatically.

Step 3: Add Google Docs in Make.com to get the document

Now add a module that retrieves the content you want to convert.

  1. Click the plus icon next to your trigger module on the make.com canvas.
  2. Search for Google Docs in the app list.
  3. Select an appropriate module, such as Get a document or Download a document.
  4. Click Add or Authorize to connect your Google account to make.com.
  5. Choose the specific Google Doc you want to convert, either by:
  • Selecting it from a dropdown list, or
  • Mapping a Document ID that is passed from your trigger or another module

After saving this module, make.com will be able to access your Google Doc contents during each run.

Step 4: Convert the Google Doc to PDF in Make.com

Next, configure the export step so your document is turned into a PDF file.

  1. Click the plus icon to add another module after the Google Docs module.
  2. Again, search for Google Docs or, depending on the available modules, Google Drive for export options.
  3. Select a module that can export or download the document as a PDF. Typical options include:
  • Export a document (with file type PDF)
  • Download a document with format set to PDF
  1. In the module configuration, set the Document field by mapping the output of the previous Google Docs module.
  2. Choose PDF as the export or download format.

With this module configured, make.com will create a PDF file for each run of the scenario.

Step 5: Save or send the PDF from Make.com

After converting the document, decide what should happen to the PDF. Common options inside make.com include:

  • Save the file to a specific Google Drive folder
  • Attach the PDF to an email and send it to one or more recipients
  • Upload the PDF to a cloud storage service or CRM

Save the PDF to Google Drive with Make.com

  1. Add a new module after the PDF export step.
  2. Search for Google Drive.
  3. Select a module such as Upload a file.
  4. Map the PDF file output from the previous module into the File field.
  5. Choose the destination folder where the PDF should be stored.

Each time the scenario runs in make.com, the converted PDF will appear in your chosen Google Drive folder.

Email the PDF automatically via Make.com

  1. Instead of, or in addition to, saving the file, add an Email app module.
  2. Select a module such as Send an email.
  3. Fill in the To, Subject, and Body fields.
  4. Attach the PDF by mapping the file output from the export step.

This way, make.com can instantly email a PDF copy of your Google Doc every time the scenario is triggered.

Step 6: Test and activate your Make.com scenario

Before using the flow in production, always test your automation.

  1. In the scenario editor, click Run once.
  2. Trigger the scenario using your chosen method (webhook, schedule, or manual start).
  3. Check each module bubble to confirm that it executed successfully and produced the expected data.
  4. Verify that:
  • The PDF opens correctly and matches the Google Doc content
  • The file appears in the right Google Drive folder, if configured
  • Any emails are sent with the PDF attached
  1. Once satisfied, click Activate to enable the scenario in make.com.

Your automation is now live and will continue converting Google Docs to PDF whenever it is triggered.

Tips for optimizing your Make.com Google Doc to PDF flow

To make your workflow more robust and scalable, consider the following best practices:

  • Use templates: Keep a master Google Doc template and create copies for each new document you want to convert.
  • Add logging: Store a log of conversions (for example, in a spreadsheet) that records time, document name, and PDF URL.
  • Handle errors: Use error handling in make.com to catch failed conversions and notify you via email or chat.
  • Secure access: Ensure only appropriate users have permission to view the source docs and resulting PDFs.

Over time, you can extend this core scenario to link with CRMs, billing tools, or other services, because make.com supports a wide variety of integrations.

Learn more from the official Make.com guide

If you want to see the original instructions and module screenshots, visit the official tutorial on the Make website. It explains how the Google Docs and Google Drive modules are used in context and provides configuration details for each step.

You can find the original how-to guide here: How to convert Google Doc to PDF.

By combining that official reference with the structured steps in this article, you should be able to build, test, and deploy a reliable Google Doc to PDF automation in make.com that fits smoothly into your existing workflows.

Need Help With Make.com?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Make scenarios, work with ConsultEvo — certified workflow and automation specialists.

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