How to Convert HWP Files to PDF: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Suppose you just received or created an HWP file. If you need to send this file to international colleagues, clients, or classmates, it is highly likely that they will not have an HWP viewer installed on their computers. Alternatively, you might be on the receiving end, staring at an unopenable file attachment.

Because HWP is a regional software format, standard word processors like Microsoft Word will not open it by default. The easiest, most universally accessible solution is to convert the file from hwp to pdf. PDF files maintain document formatting perfectly and can be opened on any modern device. Once your file is successfully converted, we highly recommend using a powerful tool like Wondershare PDFelement to effortlessly edit text, add annotations, organize pages, and create secure shareable links to distribute your document. PDFelement can even convert PDFs back into HWP format if needed!

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Depending on the software you have available, there are several brilliant ways to achieve this initial conversion. Here is everything you need to know.

Overview of the HWP File Format

What exactly is an HWP file? HWP stands for Hangul Word Processor, which is the flagship program of the Hancom Office Suite. As the name suggests, it is a South Korean document file format predominantly used by the Korean government, educational institutions, and domestic businesses. It heavily features text written in Hangul—the Korean alphabet.

An HWP file is essentially the South Korean equivalent of a Microsoft Word (.docx) file. It contains formatted text, graphics, page layouts, and document metadata. However, despite the functional similarities shared by the two formats, you cannot natively open an HWP file in standard versions of Microsoft Word.

To open an HWP file without converting it, you would need the native Hancom Word software or specialized HWP viewers. Legacy files made with Hangul Word Processor '97 or earlier can sometimes be opened with open-source tools like OpenOffice Writer or LibreOffice Writer.

For maximum compatibility, however, the best approach is to act as an hwp to pdf converter yourself using one of the five methods outlined below.

Method 1: Convert HWP to PDF Online Using HiPDF

If you are looking for a dedicated, professional online PDF toolkit, HiPDF is one of the best web-based options available. HiPDF offers a specific tool designed to seamlessly convert hwp to pdf in just a few clicks. It operates entirely in your browser, ensuring a fast process without the need to download any software, making it the perfect first choice for most users.

Follow these simple steps to convert your file using HiPDF:

Step 1Open your web browser and navigate to the HiPDF HWP to PDF Converter.

Step 2Click the prominent "파일 선택" (Choose File) button to browse your computer, or simply drag and drop the hwp file to pdf upload area directly.

Step 3Once uploaded, HiPDF will automatically begin processing and converting your document securely in the cloud.

Step 4When the conversion is complete, click the "다운로드" (Download) button to save the high-quality PDF directly to your device.

Method 2: Save HWP to PDF With Hancom Office

If you are the one creating and sending the HWP file, you likely already have Hancom Office installed on your desktop. Because you want to ensure the recipient can view the document exactly as you formatted it, you can easily convert the file directly within the application.

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Here is how you can save an active HWP file on Hancom Office as a PDF:

Step 1Open the target HWP file on your Hancom Office desktop application.

Step 2Click on "File" in the top menu, then select "Save as PDF."

Step 3In the "Save as PDF(G)" dialogue box that appears, specify your desired destination folder and type in a file name for the output PDF.

Step 4Click "Save."

Note: Securing Your PDF. Hancom Office also allows you to password-protect the PDF and set specific permissions (like restricting printing or editing) during the conversion process.

Step 1Click "File" > "Save as PDF(G)."

Step 2In the save dialogue, click the "Tools(L)" button.

Step 3Select "Document Password(P)."

Step 4Enter a strong password to restrict who can open the document.

Step 5Optionally, check the box that says "Set permissions for editing and printing the document" and adjust the settings as needed. Click "OK" and then "Save."

Method 3: Convert HWP to PDF on Hancom Space

What if you do not have the Hancom Office desktop software installed? Much like Microsoft Office has Office Online, Hancom provides a cloud-based version of its suite called Hancom Space. You can use this official web app to open, edit, and convert hwp to pdf entirely for free.

Follow these steps to convert your documents:

Step 1Launch your web browser and navigate to Hancom Space. You will need to register for a free account or log in if you already possess one.

Step 2Once logged in, drag and drop the HWP file you want to convert directly into the browser window. Alternatively, click the "업로드" (Upload) button and browse your computer for the file.

Step 3Open the newly uploaded document. To access editing and conversion tools, click "편집" (Edit) and then select "한컴오피스 Web으로 편집" (Edit with Hancom Web Office).

Step 4Once the web editor loads, click the "파일" (File) button in the top menu, then select "PDF으로 다운로드" (Download as PDF) to save the file to your computer.

Method 4: Use an English HWP to PDF Converter Online (FILExt)

A common issue international users face with Hancom Space is the language barrier; much of the website is in Korean. If you prefer a straightforward, English-language interface, using a dedicated third-party hwp to pdf converter online is an excellent alternative.

FILExt is a highly reliable, web-based universal file viewer and converter. It specializes in opening obscure file extensions that your native desktop programs cannot handle, allowing you to easily shift from hwp to pdf.

Step 1Open your web browser and visit the FILExt website.

Step 2Click the prominent "Choose a file to analyze it online" button, or simply drag and drop your HWP file into the designated upload area.

Step 3Once the file is processed and open on your screen, click the "Save as" button.

Step 4Choose PDF from the list of output formats.

Step 5FILExt will instantly convert the file, and your browser will automatically download the new PDF to your local drive.

Method 2: Method 5: Convert HWP File to PDF With Google Drive

Did you know that Google Drive harbors a secret, built-in PDF converter? This popular, free cloud storage service is capable of opening and converting various obscure formats, including HWP files. The added benefit of using this method is that you are simultaneously backing up the document to your cloud storage.

Here is the step-by-step walkthrough to get your hwp file to pdf using Google Drive:

Step 1Go to Google Drive in your web browser.

Step 2Log in to your standard Google account.

Step 3Click the "New" button in the upper left corner, then select "File Upload" to import your HWP document.

Step 4Once uploaded, double-click the HWP file to open the Google Drive preview.

Step 5Click the "Print" icon located in the top-right corner of the preview screen.

Step 6Google Drive will process the file for printing and open a new browser tab showing a PDF version of the document.

Step 7Click the "Download" arrow icon at the top of this new tab, then click "Save" to store the converted PDF on your PC.

[Bonus] Manage, Share, and Convert PDFs (Including PDF to HWP) With Wondershare PDFelement

The entire purpose of converting the HWP file is to make it accessible to a broader audience. PDF is the global standard for document sharing. Once your file is converted, managing, editing, and distributing it becomes effortless, especially when paired with a professional PDF editor.

Wondershare PDFelement is a powerful tool that allows you to organize your newly created PDFs and generate instant, shareable links. This eliminates the need to attach large files to emails. Furthermore, if you ever need to reverse the process, PDFelement supports converting PDF back to HWP. If you receive a PDF that originated as a Korean document and need to edit it natively in Hancom Office, PDFelement can seamlessly export it to the HWP format while retaining its original layout.

Here is how you can create secure shareable links in just a few clicks:

Step 1Download and launch Wondershare PDFelement on your computer.

Step 2Open the PDF file you just converted using any of the five methods above.

Step 3Locate and click the "Share" icon button on the top-right side of the PDFelement interface.

Step 4PDFelement will generate a unique cloud link for your document. Once it is ready, click "Copy Link."

Step 5Paste this link into an email, messaging app, or social media DM to instantly share the document. Note that, for security purposes, these generated links are typically valid for a 30-day viewing window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Translating a regional document format into a globally recognized one is easier than it initially seems. Whether you need a dedicated online tool like HiPDF, have the native desktop software installed, prefer an official cloud platform, or just want to use a clever Google Drive trick, you have multiple pathways to successfully convert your hwp file to pdf.

By utilizing these free and reliable tools alongside versatile PDF editors like Wondershare PDFelement, you can ensure your critical documents are accessible to colleagues, clients, or classmates anywhere in the world, completely sidestepping software compatibility barriers.