Google Docs makes collaboration almost effortless — share a link, everyone edits at once. PDF makes delivery clean — recipient sees exactly what you wrote. The choice depends entirely on whether you're working on the document or done with it.
Docs for working, PDF for done
If the document is still being written, reviewed, or commented on, keep it in Docs. Track changes, real-time editing, comments threads — none of which PDFs handle well. When the document is final and you're submitting it (CV, contract, report), export to PDF. Layout locks; recipient can't accidentally edit. File > Download > PDF Document in Docs. You can re-export later if revisions are needed.
Why not just share a Docs link?
Sharing a Docs link works if everyone has Google accounts and you trust them with edit access. For external submissions — job applications, formal contracts, anything official — recipients expect a PDF. They may not have Google access; the file may need to live in their record-keeping system, not yours. Don't make people sign up to read your CV. Export and send PDF.
Going the other way
Received a PDF and need to collaborate on it? Convert PDF to Word, then upload to Docs. Or use Docs's own 'open with' if Google Drive offers conversion. The result is usually editable but loses some formatting fidelity — fine for content collaboration, bad for design-critical docs. For those, ask the sender for the original Docs link or Word file.
FAQ
Can I sign a Google Doc?
Not natively — there's no built-in signing. Export to PDF and use sign PDF, or use a Docs add-on for e-signature. Most signature workflows are easier in PDF.
Will Docs formatting survive PDF export?
Yes — the export preserves layout, fonts, images. Tables and embedded charts also carry over cleanly. Always preview the exported PDF before sending to catch surprises.
What about for long documents?
Docs handles 100+ page documents fine. PDF for those works too — but reviewers prefer Docs for long comment-heavy reviews. Final delivery as PDF still applies.
Docs for collaborating, PDF for delivering. Convert PDFs back to Word when you need to bring them into Docs.