doPDF gains Microsoft Office add-in, preserves Word bookmarks and hidden links
Softland has released doPDF 8.0, a major new release of its free PDF printer driver that allows Windows users to output any document in PDF format for sharing or viewing.
Version 8.0 adds the NovaPDF plug-in for converting Microsoft Office documents from within Office with one click. It also comes with new predefined forms to take the total number supported to over 80.
The new plug-in, named novaPDF after doPDF’s more fully functional, paid-for sibling from which it originates, is offered as an optional component by the program’s new simpler, completely redesigned installer. Once installed, users can convert Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Publisher documents from within their own parent applications via the novaPDF tab on the ribbon.
The add-in not only allows users to quickly generate PDFs from Office, but also recognizes any bookmarks added to Word documents, which are converted automatically to PDF bookmarks. It also recognizes hidden links in Office documents, again converting them to active links in the converted PDF file.
doPDF 8 also added new predefined forms, giving users a choice of outputting PDFs in up to 50 different formats, including A0-A6, B4/5, Letter, Legal and various envelope formats. It also comes with driver certification for Windows 8.
The app adds an automatic update component with changelog notifications, plus includes a number of bug fixes, including one that prevent the installer from working if the Windows username consisted of two separate names. Another fix sees the Help file gain sections covering the add-in conversion tool.
doPDF 8.0 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later. The .NET Framework 4.0 is now a required component.