ODP is the presentation format of LibreOffice Impress. It's a fine format for building a deck, but people on phones, tablets and computers without LibreOffice often can't open it. ODP to PDF converts the presentation with LibreOffice itself. You get one page per slide, and anyone can view or print it.
How to use ODP to PDF
- Add the ODP file.
- Select Convert to PDF.
- Download the PDF.
- Check slides that used animation or unusual fonts.
Native conversion
- LibreOffice reads its own format: Because LibreOffice created the ODP format, it reads the file natively, so slide layouts, master slides, shapes, charts and images are rendered as designed. Each visible slide becomes a page, in order.
- The PDF is static: slide transitions, object animations, sound and video aren't included, and slides marked hidden are skipped.
- Font substitution: Fonts that aren't installed on the server are replaced with similar ones. It can change how text wraps.
Preparing a deck to be read
A presentation delivered live and a PDF read alone serve different purposes.
- What confuses a reader: Slides that rely on a speaker, or on content appearing step by step, can be confusing on their own.
- Split builds, add captions: Before converting, consider splitting build-up slides into separate steps and adding short captions where the spoken explanation carried the meaning.
- It becomes a handout: That turns the PDF into a handout that makes sense without you in the room.
Sharing and printing
- Image-heavy decks can be large, and Compress PDF helps before emailing.
- Printed handouts: For printed handouts with several slides on each sheet, use N-up PDF.
- PowerPoint files are handled by PowerPoint to PDF with the same engine.
- Where to read more: The format guide explains why PDF is the safer format for sending slides.
When people use ODP to PDF
Lecture slides for students
Post course slides as PDFs that students can annotate and read on any device.
Conference talk decks
Provide organizers and attendees with a PDF of your talk that opens without LibreOffice.
Community presentations
Share council, charity or club presentations with members through email or a website.
Limitations to know
ODP to PDF needs LibreOffice on the server. Speaker notes, transitions, animation, audio and video aren't included, hidden slides are skipped, and fonts the server lacks are substituted. It can change how text wraps.
ODP to PDF: common questions
Are speaker notes included?
No. The PDF contains the slides only.
Do transitions and animations carry over?
No. A PDF page is static, so each slide appears in its final state with all of its objects visible.
Are hidden slides exported?
No. Slides marked hidden in Impress are left out of the PDF.
Why is this tool unavailable on some servers?
It needs LibreOffice installed on the server. When LibreOffice is missing, VelloDoc reports that instead of failing silently.