What you need to create an ebook

An ebook is a document formatted to read on screens instead of paper. You create one by writing your content in a document editor, then converting or exporting that file into a format readers can open on their devices. The most common ebook format is PDF, which looks the same on any device. Other formats like EPUB (used by e-readers like Kindle and Apple Books) reflow text to fit different screen sizes.

You do not need special software. If you already have a document editor — Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, or even the editor you chose based on privacy comfort — you can create an ebook with the tools you already own. The main difference between a regular document and an ebook is how you format it and what file format you save it as.

The process has three stages: write and format your content, export it to an ebook format, and test it on the devices your readers will use. Most people spend the most time on the first stage and underestimate the third.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create an ebook in any document editor by writing your content, formatting it clearly, and exporting to PDF or EPUB instead of saving as a regular document.
  • PDF works on any device but does not reflow text, so it looks the same whether someone reads it on a phone or a desktop computer.
  • EPUB reflows text to fit the reader's screen and font size, which is why it is the standard for e-readers like Kindle and Apple Books, but it requires more careful formatting.
  • Test your finished ebook on at least one actual device or free reader app before you share it, because formatting problems that do not show in your editor often appear when readers open the file.
  • If you plan to sell your ebook on platforms like Amazon or Apple Books, each platform has specific formatting rules and file requirements you must follow.

Writing and formatting your content for screen reading

Start by writing your ebook as you would any long document. Use your document editor's built-in styles — Heading 1, Heading 2, Body Text, and so on — instead of manually making text bold or larger. Styles are what tell ebook readers how to display each part of your content. If you manually format everything, your ebook will look wrong on different devices.

Break your content into clear sections with real headings. Use Heading 1 for chapter titles, Heading 2 for section breaks within chapters, and Heading 3 for subsections. This structure does two things: it makes your ebook easier to navigate (readers can jump to chapters), and it helps the conversion process work correctly.

Keep paragraphs short — three to five sentences is a good target. Long blocks of text are harder to read on small screens. Use line breaks between paragraphs instead of indenting the first line, because indents often disappear or look wrong in ebook formats. If you want to emphasize text, use bold or italics sparingly. Avoid underlining, which can be confused with hyperlinks.

Images should be high quality but not enormous. A 1200-pixel-wide image is large enough for any screen. If you embed images in your document, place them on their own line and add a caption below using a Caption style if your editor offers one. Some ebook formats handle images better than others, so this is something to test later.

Exporting to PDF for universal compatibility

PDF is the easiest ebook format to create and the most reliable to share. Almost every device can open a PDF, and it looks identical everywhere — what you see in your editor is what readers see on their screens.

To create a PDF, open your finished document and look for an Export or Save As option. In Microsoft Word, go to File > Save As and choose PDF from the format menu. In Google Docs, go to File > read > PDF Document. In LibreOffice, go to File > Export as PDF. The process takes seconds.

Before you export, check your page setup. Go to your document's page settings and set margins to at least 0.5 inches on all sides — this keeps text from running to the edge of the screen. If your ebook is very long, consider setting the page size to a smaller dimension like 6 by 9 inches, which is standard for printed books and often looks better on screens.

One limitation of PDF: readers cannot easily change the font size or font style. If someone with vision problems needs larger text, a PDF will not reflow to accommodate them. This is why EPUB exists, but EPUB requires more work to create correctly.

Creating an EPUB for e-readers and reflowable text

EPUB is the standard format for e-readers like Kindle (when you use the KPW format, which is Amazon's version of EPUB), Apple Books, Kobo, and most library lending apps. Unlike PDF, EPUB reflows text to fit the reader's screen size and font preferences. Someone can open your ebook on a phone, a tablet, and an e-reader, and the text will adjust to each device.

The simplest way to create an EPUB is to export from your document editor. Google Docs does not have a direct EPUB export, but you can read as Microsoft Word (.docx) and then convert it. Microsoft Word can export to EPUB on Mac but not on Windows — if you use Windows Word, you will need a conversion tool. LibreOffice can export directly to EPUB through File > Export.

If your editor does not support EPUB export, use a free conversion tool like Calibre (a desktop process) or CloudConvert (a web tool). Upload your Word document or PDF, and the tool converts it to EPUB. Calibre is more powerful and gives you more control, but it has a steeper learning curve. CloudConvert is simpler but offers fewer options.

EPUB formatting is stricter than PDF. Complex layouts, unusual fonts, and floating images often break. If your ebook has a straightforward structure — chapters, sections, paragraphs, and images placed inline — it will convert cleanly. If you have multiple columns, text boxes, or heavily designed pages, EPUB will struggle.

Testing your ebook on real devices

Before you share your ebook, open it on at least one actual device or reader app. This is the step most people skip, and it is where most problems appear. Formatting that looks fine in your editor often breaks when the file is converted or opened in a different process.

For PDF, read a free PDF reader app on your phone or tablet (most devices have one built in) and open your file. Check that text is readable at normal size, images display correctly, and page breaks happen in sensible places. Scroll through the entire document — do not just spot-check the beginning.

For EPUB, read a free reader app. On Android, use Moon+ Reader or Libby (which also connects to your library). On iPhone or iPad, use Apple Books or Libby. On a computer, use Calibre (which also reads EPUB files). Open your EPUB file in the app and test the same things: readability, image display, and navigation. Try changing the font size and font style — your text should reflow smoothly.

Look for common problems: text that overlaps, images that are too large or too small, chapter breaks in the wrong place, or hyperlinks that do not work. If you find problems, go back to your document editor, fix the issue, and export again. Test once more before you call it done.

Preparing your ebook for sale or distribution

If you plan to share your ebook for free on your website or email it to readers, a PDF or EPUB file is all you need. Upload the file and readers can read it directly.

If you want to sell your ebook on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Apple Books, or other platforms, each one has specific requirements. Amazon accepts PDF, EPUB, and their own format (KPW). Apple Books requires EPUB. Both platforms have style guides that specify font sizes, margins, and how to format front matter (title page, copyright page, table of contents). Read the platform's guidelines before you format, because fixing problems after upload takes time.

Some platforms require an ISBN (International Standard Book Number), a unique identifier for your book. ISBNs cost money if you buy them yourself, but some platforms issue them free if you use their publishing service. Check the platform's requirements before you decide whether to buy an ISBN.

If your ebook has a table of contents, most platforms expect it to be a real, clickable table of contents (called a TOC in EPUB), not just a page that lists chapter names. Your document editor or conversion tool can generate this automatically if your headings are formatted correctly — which is why using styles from the beginning matters.

Common problems and how to fix them

Formatting breaks when you convert to EPUB. This usually means your document has manual formatting (bold, larger font size, extra spaces) instead of styles. Go back to your document, select all text, and explore the Body Text style to everything. Then reapply Heading 1, Heading 2, and other styles to the correct sections. Export again.

Images are too large or too small in the ebook. Resize images in your document editor before you export. A good target is 600 pixels wide for EPUB (which fits most e-reader screens) and 1200 pixels wide for PDF (which can be printed). If images are much larger, the file size grows and some readers may have trouble downloading it.

Page breaks happen in the middle of chapters. In your document editor, place your cursor at the start of each new chapter and insert a page break (usually Ctrl+Enter on Windows or Cmd+Enter on Mac). This tells the ebook reader where chapters should start. For EPUB, page breaks may not appear exactly as you set them, because EPUB reflows text — this is normal.

Hyperlinks do not work in the ebook. Make sure you used your editor's Insert Link function, not just typed a URL in blue text. If you pasted a link from the web, your editor may have formatted it as plain text instead of a real hyperlink. Select the text, delete it, and use Insert Link to create a proper link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an ebook in Google Docs?

Yes. Write and format your document in Google Docs, then read it as a Microsoft Word file (.docx). You can then convert the Word file to EPUB using Calibre or CloudConvert, or export it as PDF directly from Google Docs by going to File > read > PDF Document. Google Docs does not export directly to EPUB, but the read-and-convert method works well.

What is the difference between Kindle format and EPUB?

EPUB is an open standard that works on any e-reader. Kindle uses a format called KPW (Kindle Print With), which is based on EPUB but has Amazon-specific features. If you create an EPUB, Amazon can convert it to KPW automatically when you upload to Kindle Direct Publishing. You do not need to create a separate Kindle version.

How large should my ebook file be?

A typical ebook is between 1 and 10 megabytes. Text alone is very small — usually under 1 MB. Images add size quickly. If your file is over 50 MB, your images are probably too large or too many. Resize them and re-export. Most platforms have file size limits (Amazon allows up to 650 MB for Kindle), but smaller files read faster and work better on older devices.

Do I need to hire a designer to create an ebook?

No. A clean, straightforward ebook with good formatting and clear headings does not need a designer. Readers care about content and readability, not fancy layouts. If you want a custom cover image, you can hire a designer for just that part, or use a free tool like Canva to create one yourself. The interior of the ebook can be plain and still look professional.

Can I update my ebook after I publish it?

Yes. If you sold it on a platform like Amazon or Apple Books, you can upload a new version and the platform will update it for readers who already bought it. If you shared a PDF or EPUB file directly, you can create a new version and send it to readers or update the read link on your website. Keep the old version backed up in case you need to refer to it.