Word can’t save a document directly as a JPEG, but there are three easy workarounds. For one page, take a screenshot with the Snipping Tool (Windows + Shift + S) and save it as a JPG. For crisp, full-page images, copy the page content, use Paste Special > Picture in Word, then right-click the picture and choose Save as Picture > JPEG. For a multi-page document, save it as a PDF first and convert each PDF page to a JPEG.
Here’s how each method works on Windows and Mac, and how to get the best image quality.
Method 1: Save a page with the Snipping Tool
- Open the document and set the zoom so the whole page (or the part you want) fits on screen. View > One Page helps.
- Press Windows + Shift + S and drag a rectangle around the page.
- Click the notification that appears to open the capture in the Snipping Tool.
- Click the Save icon (or press Ctrl + S), choose JPG from the Save as type list, and save.
This is quick, but the image resolution is limited to your screen’s. Zoom in and capture in sections if you need more detail.
Method 2: Paste as a picture and save it
This method gives sharper images than a screenshot because Word renders the content itself.
- Select the content you want (for example, everything on one page).
- Press Ctrl + C to copy it.
- Open a new blank document, go to Home > Paste > Paste Special.
- Choose Picture (PNG), Picture (Enhanced Metafile), or a JPEG option if listed, and click OK.
- Right-click the pasted picture and choose Save as Picture.
- Set Save as type to JPEG File Interchange Format, name the file, and click Save.
Some elements, such as headers, footers, and page backgrounds, aren’t included because they aren’t part of the selected text.
Method 3: Save as PDF, then convert to JPEG
This is the best option for a whole multi-page document, because every page keeps its exact layout.
- In Word, go to File > Save As (or Export) and choose PDF.
- Convert the PDF pages to JPEG using one of these:
- Adobe Acrobat (paid): Export PDF > Image > JPEG exports every page.
- Mac Preview: open the PDF, choose File > Export, and pick JPEG. Preview exports the current page, so repeat for each page.
- An online converter: convenient, but avoid uploading confidential documents.
Method 4: Paste into Paint
- Copy the content in Word, or take a screenshot with Print Screen.
- Open Paint and press Ctrl + V.
- Use Crop to trim the image.
- Go to File > Save as > JPEG picture.
On a Mac
- In Word for Mac, go to File > Save As, set File Format to PDF, and save.
- Open the PDF in Preview.
- Choose File > Export, set Format to JPEG, adjust the quality slider and resolution, and click Save.
For a quick capture instead, press Shift + Command + 4 and drag around the page. macOS saves screenshots as PNG by default, which you can export to JPEG from Preview.
In Word for the web
Word for the web can download a document as a PDF from File > Download > Download as PDF. From there, convert the PDF pages with any of the tools above, or take a screenshot of the page in your browser.
Which method should you use?
| Need | Best method |
|---|---|
| Quick image of one page | Snipping Tool |
| Sharp image of text or a chart | Paste Special as Picture, then Save as Picture |
| Every page of a long document | Save as PDF, then export pages to JPEG |
| Quick crop and edit | Paint |
| On a Mac | Save as PDF, then export from Preview |
Tips for better quality
- Consider PNG instead of JPEG for text-heavy pages. PNG keeps letters sharp, while JPEG compression can make text edges fuzzy.
- Zoom in before screenshotting to capture more pixels, then combine sections if needed.
- Turn off image compression in Word under File > Options > Advanced > Do not compress images in file if pictures in your document look soft.
- Check the result at 100 percent zoom before sending it.
Why convert a Word document to an image?
Images are handy for social media posts, embedding a page in a presentation or website, sending a quick preview in a chat app, or sharing a document that people shouldn’t edit. Keep in mind that text in an image isn’t searchable or accessible to screen readers, so share the original or a PDF when that matters.
Related: How to compress pictures in Word.
Related: How to convert PDF to Word.
Frequently asked questions
Can Word save as JPEG directly?
No. Word can save individual pictures as JPEG files, but not whole documents. Use one of the workarounds above.
How do I convert every page to a separate JPEG?
Save the document as a PDF, then use a PDF tool that exports each page as an image, such as Adobe Acrobat.
Is it safe to use an online Word to JPG converter?
For non-sensitive files, generally yes. For private or work documents, use the offline methods so the file never leaves your computer.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.