Built the deck in Keynote because it's prettier than PowerPoint. The recipient just wants a PDF. Easy enough on a Mac — slightly less so if you're sending the file to someone who'll convert it themselves.
Keynote's native PDF export
On Mac or iPad: File > Export To > PDF. Keynote produces high-quality PDFs with embedded fonts, preserved images, and crisp typography. This is the canonical path.
Quality options range from Good (smaller files) to Best (larger, archival). For most distribution, Better is the right balance.
When you don't have Keynote
If the .key file lands on a Windows or Linux machine without Keynote, you can't open it directly. The path: ask the sender to export to PPTX or PDF first (Keynote exports both), or open the .key on an iPhone (Keynote is free on iOS).
Keynote files have no widely-supported open-source viewer.
Via PPTX for universal compatibility
Export Keynote to PPTX first (File > Export To > PowerPoint). Then use Flint's PowerPoint to PDF. Two steps, but everything works without Keynote-specific software.
Minor formatting may shift in the Keynote-to-PPTX step — fonts substitute, custom Keynote features simplify. For high-fidelity output, stick with Keynote's direct PDF export.
Animations and dynamic content
Like PowerPoint, Keynote animations don't survive to PDF. Builds, transitions, magic move — all gone. For presentation-with-animation, share the .key file (or PPTX) and let the recipient open in the matching app.
FAQ
Can I convert Keynote in a browser?
Not directly — Keynote isn't a web format. Convert to PPTX first or use Keynote on iCloud (free Apple ID required) to export from the browser.
Will Keynote-specific features carry?
Standard slide content does. Magic Move and other animations don't (PDFs are static).
What about iCloud Keynote?
iCloud.com's web Keynote can export to PDF directly. Useful if you're on a Windows machine but have an Apple ID.
Will the result look the same on Windows?
Yes — PDFs are universal. The PDF will look the same on any device that can read PDF.
Keynote in, PDF out. Export directly from Keynote, or detour through PPTX with Flint's converter.