Convert ADOC to PDF

Why Convert ADOC to PDF?

Converting AsciiDoc to PDF transforms your structured documentation into a universally accessible, professional document format. While ADOC excels as a source format for writing and maintaining documentation with version control, PDF provides the ideal distribution format that ensures your documents appear exactly as intended on any device, operating system, or printer.

This conversion bridges the gap between the writer's workflow and the reader's needs. You author content in a developer-friendly markup language with powerful features like includes, cross-references, and syntax highlighting, while delivering polished, print-ready documents to your audience. The separation of content from presentation allows you to maintain a single source that produces consistent, professional output.

PDF (Portable Document Format) has been the standard for document distribution since Adobe introduced it in 1993. As an ISO standard since 2008, PDF guarantees that your carefully crafted documentation will be rendered identically whether viewed on Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile devices, or in web browsers. This universality makes PDF the de facto choice for official documentation.

For technical writers, the ADOC-to-PDF workflow enables powerful documentation-as-code practices. Your source files live in Git repositories, can be collaboratively edited, and automatically built into PDF documents through CI/CD pipelines. This modern approach brings software development best practices to documentation.

Key Benefits of Converting ADOC to PDF:

• Universal Sharing: PDF opens on any device without special software
• Print Quality: Professional typography and layout for high-quality printing
• Fixed Layout: Exact positioning of headers, footers, tables, and figures
• Document Security: Encryption, passwords, and digital signatures
• Offline Access: Complete documents without internet connectivity
• Legal Acceptance: PDF/A is ISO standard for archiving and contracts
• Self-Contained: Embedded fonts and images ensure consistent rendering

Practical Examples

Example 1: API Reference Documentation

Input AsciiDoc file (api-reference.adoc):

= API Reference Guide
:author: Development Team
:revdate: 2024-01-15
:toc:

== Authentication

All requests require Bearer tokens.

[source,bash]
----
curl -X POST https://api.example.com/auth \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"username": "user", "password": "pass"}'
----

NOTE: Tokens expire after 24 hours.

== Response Codes

|===
|Code |Description

|200 |Success
|401 |Unauthorized
|404 |Not Found
|===

Output PDF file (api-reference.pdf):

Professional PDF document with:
- Title page with author and date
- Clickable table of contents
- Syntax-highlighted code blocks
- Styled admonition boxes
- Properly formatted tables
- Consistent typography
- Page numbers and headers

Example 2: User Manual with Images

Input AsciiDoc file (user-manual.adoc):

= Product User Manual
:icons: font
:imagesdir: images

== Getting Started

image::product-overview.png[Product, 400]

Follow these steps:

. Unpack all components
. Connect the power adapter
. Press power button for 3 seconds

WARNING: Do not expose to water.

== Troubleshooting

Problem:: Device won't turn on
Solution:: Check power connection.

Output PDF file (user-manual.pdf):

Print-ready manual featuring:
- Embedded images at specified size
- Numbered step-by-step instructions
- Prominent warning boxes with icons
- Definition list formatting
- Professional page layout
- Print-optimized margins
- Ready for binding

Example 3: Technical Book with Chapters

Input AsciiDoc file (developer-guide.adoc):

= Complete Developer Guide
:doctype: book
:sectnums:
:chapter-label: Chapter

[preface]
== Preface

Welcome to this comprehensive guide.

== Introduction
[[intro]]

See <> for more details.

== Basic Concepts

=== Variables

Variables store data values.

== Advanced Topics
[[advanced]]

As mentioned in <>.

Output PDF file (developer-guide.pdf):

Complete book-style PDF with:
- Proper chapter numbering
- Working cross-reference links
- Preface and appendix formatting
- Hierarchical section numbers
- PDF bookmarks for navigation
- Book-appropriate page layout
- Professional typography

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does conversion preserve tables and code blocks?

A: Yes, the converter fully supports AsciiDoc formatting including tables, code blocks with syntax highlighting, admonitions (NOTE, WARNING, TIP), definition lists, nested lists, and block quotes. All structural elements are rendered appropriately in the PDF output with professional styling.

Q: Will images from my ADOC file be included?

A: Images referenced using standard AsciiDoc syntax (image::filename.png[]) will be embedded in the PDF. For best results, upload your ADOC file along with referenced images or ensure images are accessible via URL. Common formats PNG, JPEG, GIF, and SVG are supported.

Q: Does the PDF include a clickable table of contents?

A: Yes, if your ADOC document includes the :toc: attribute, the generated PDF will contain a properly formatted table of contents with clickable links to each section. PDF bookmarks are also generated for easy navigation in PDF readers.

Q: What happens to cross-references and links?

A: Cross-references defined using the anchor syntax are converted to clickable internal links in the PDF. External URLs are preserved as clickable hyperlinks, making your document fully navigable in any PDF reader.

Q: Is the PDF suitable for professional printing?

A: Yes, the PDF output is generated with print-quality settings including proper margins, embedded fonts, and high-resolution graphics support. Documents are suitable for professional printing, binding, and distribution as physical manuals or reports.

Q: How does the converter handle include directives?

A: The include:: directive is commonly used for modular documentation. For the online converter to process includes, all referenced files must be uploaded together. Alternatively, pre-process your document to merge all includes before uploading.

Q: Can I convert technical books and large docs?

A: Yes, the converter handles large documents including books. It supports :doctype: book for proper book formatting with chapters, prefaces, appendices, and part divisions. Page numbering and headers are applied appropriately for book-length content.

Q: Can I customize the PDF styling?

A: The converter uses professional default styling optimized for readability and printing. Document attributes like title, author, and date are respected. For advanced customization with custom fonts or themes, you would typically use Asciidoctor with custom CSS or PDF themes locally.