> ## Documentation index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rxresu.me/llms.txt
> Ask it with GET https://docs.rxresu.me/ask?q=<keywords or question>. Short keywords rank best.
> Use these to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Downloading your resume

> Download your resume as a PDF in one click, or as Word, OpenDocument, Markdown or JSON from the Download & history sheet. Learn which format to use and how to print.

When a job application asks for a file, download your resume from the editor. A PDF takes one click. Word, OpenDocument, Markdown and JSON files are one step further, in the **Download & history** sheet.

## Choose a format

| Format                    | Use it for                                                                                                                                                   |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **PDF** (`.pdf`)          | Applying for jobs and emailing recruiters. It looks exactly like the page in the editor.                                                                     |
| **Word** (`.docx`)        | Job portals or recruiters who ask for a Word document. The layout is simplified, so it won't match the PDF exactly.                                          |
| **OpenDocument** (`.odt`) | LibreOffice, OpenOffice and other open-source editors. The layout is simplified, like Word.                                                                  |
| **Markdown** (`.md`)      | Plain text with headings, for pasting into application forms, notes or AI tools. See [Exporting a resume to Markdown](/guides/exporting-resume-to-markdown). |
| **JSON** (`.json`)        | A complete backup of the resume that you can import back into Reactive Resume later.                                                                         |

If you're unsure, choose PDF. It's the format most employers expect.

## Download a PDF

In the editor bar, select **Download PDF**, or press <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>P</kbd> (<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>P</kbd> on Windows and Linux). The button shows **Preparing…** while the file is made, then your browser saves it.

<Frame caption="The Download PDF button. The arrow beside it opens every format.">
  <img
    src="/images/guides/exporting-your-resume/download-pdf-button.webp"
    alt="Green Download PDF button with a separate arrow segment on its right"
  />
</Frame>

The file is named after the full name on your resume, such as `David-Kowalski-Resume.pdf`. If the resume has no name yet, the document's name is used.

<Note>
  In the editor, <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>P</kbd> downloads the PDF instead of opening your browser's print dialog. To print,
  use **Print** in the document menu (see [Print your resume](#print-your-resume)).
</Note>

## Download another format

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Download tab">
    Select the arrow beside **Download PDF** (**More download formats**), or press <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>⇧</kbd> <kbd>E</kbd> (<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>Shift</kbd> <kbd>E</kbd>). The **Download & history** sheet opens on its **Download** tab.

    On a phone, select the resume's name at the top left to open the document menu, then **More download formats**.

  </Step>
  <Step title="Pick a format">
    Select **PDF**, **Word**, **OpenDocument**, **Markdown** or **JSON**. Each option says what it's best for.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Check the file name">
    The **File name** field shows the name recruiters will see. Change it if you like; the extension is added for you. Characters that computers don't allow in file names, such as `/` or `:`, are removed as you type.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Download">
    Select the download button at the bottom, for example **Download Word**. It shows its progress, and a message confirms the file name once it's saved.
  </Step>
</Steps>

A few things you may see on this tab:

- **Check has _n_ things to review. You can still download.** Check mode found issues on your resume. They never block a download; select **Review** to see them first.
- **Also download the _company_ cover letter** appears when this resume belongs to a job application that has a cover letter. Tick it to get both files at once, in the same format.
- If a Word, OpenDocument, Markdown or JSON file can't be made, the tab says so. Select **Try again**, or **Download PDF instead**.

## What each file contains

- **PDF** keeps your template, fonts, colors, layout and page breaks. Hidden sections and entries are left out.
- **Word** keeps your content, headings and lists in an editable document. Visual details such as columns, colors and icons are simplified, your photo isn't included, and hidden content is left out.
- **OpenDocument** is the same editable, simplified document as Word, saved as the open `.odt` standard for LibreOffice, OpenOffice and other open-source editors. Your photo isn't included.
- **Markdown** keeps headings, lists, links, bold and italic text. It leaves out hidden content and all visual design.
- **JSON** keeps everything: every section and entry, hidden ones included, your design settings and your private notes. To restore it, select **New**, then **Import a resume**, and choose the file. Importing creates a new resume; it doesn't overwrite one.

<Warning>
  A JSON file includes your private notes and hidden entries. Treat it as a backup for yourself, not a file to send to
  employers.
</Warning>

## Print your resume

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the document menu">In the editor bar, select the resume's name.</Step>
  <Step title="Select Print">
    Select **Print**. Reactive Resume prepares the same PDF you'd download and opens your browser's print dialog. If
    your browser blocks that, the PDF opens in a new tab so you can print it from there.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="Print in the document menu">
  <img
    src="/images/guides/exporting-your-resume/document-menu-print.webp"
    alt="Document menu under the name Game Developer Resume, with Rename, Duplicate, Lock editing, Notes, Details, Print and Move to Trash"
  />
</Frame>

Printing uses the PDF, so the printout matches the file recruiters receive.

## Downloads by visitors

If your resume has a public link, visitors can download the PDF from the public page, unless you turn off **Visitors can download the PDF**. These downloads show up in your statistics. See [Sharing your resume with a link](/guides/sharing-your-resume-publicly).

The public PDF follows the web page's contact-privacy settings. Your own exports from the editor keep your contact
details, so check the file before sending it. As the signed-in owner, you can download your own PDF without entering
the public-link password, even when visitor downloads are disabled.

## Export from the native app

Select **Download** in the editor to open **Download & history**, then choose **File format** and review **File name**.
For PDF, select **Share PDF**; the system share sheet lets you send the file or save it to a storage provider. Other
formats and linked cover letters need a connection. A local PDF can be made offline if its fonts and images are
already cached. **Share** is a separate editor mode for publishing a web page.

<Note>
  On the website, **Download PDF**, **Share** and their shortcuts are unavailable while you're offline. They come back
  when your connection does. The native app's local PDF export has the offline support described above.
</Note>

## Related guides

- [Exporting a resume to Markdown](/guides/exporting-resume-to-markdown): what the Markdown file looks like and where it's useful.
- [Writing a cover letter](/guides/writing-a-cover-letter): letters have their own **Download** tab in their **Download & history** sheet.
- [Fitting content on a page](/guides/fitting-content-on-a-page): tidy up page breaks before you download.
- [Exporting your data](/guides/exporting-your-data): download everything in your account at once.
- [Importing resumes](/guides/importing-resumes): bring a JSON backup back into Reactive Resume.