Export your resume

Before you start

Open the resume in the editor and wait for the save indicator to confirm Saved — that way you export what you actually see, not an older version still mid-save. Review the preview, contact details, dates, links, and section order first.

The rule for which formats need Pro is simple: only PDF is Pro-gated. Word, QuickCV JSON, and JSON Resume are free on every account, no limit. Compare Free and Pro if you want the full plan breakdown.

Choose and download a format

The Download menu offers four formats:

• Download PDF — a polished, application-ready document. Requires Pro. On a Free account, selecting it opens an upgrade prompt instead of starting a download: "Upgrade to Pro to export the application-ready version as a high-quality PDF." On a Pro account, the download starts immediately.
• Download Word — an editable DOCX file. Free on every account, with no limit. A few moments after the file downloads, Free accounts also see a one-time Pro upsell prompt ("Want a pixel-perfect PDF too? Pro includes unlimited PDF downloads, AI scoring, and more.") — that's a nudge, not a gate; the Word file has already downloaded by the time it appears.
• Download JSON (Native) — QuickCV's own backup format. Free on every account. Keep one of these when you may need to restore or re-import structured data later; a PDF or Word file can't substitute for it.
• Download JSON Resume — the interoperable JSON Resume format. Free on every account.

To download:

1. In the editor, select Download.
2. Choose the format you need from the menu.
3. Wait for the success feedback. Your browser downloads the generated file once it's ready.

Expected result

The file appears in your browser's downloads with the format you chose.

If generation fails, confirm the resume still shows Saved, then retry once — avoid starting the same export repeatedly while one is already pending. A failed export doesn't delete the resume. If it keeps happening, contact QuickCV support with the format and the exact error message.

Related reading

PDF vs. Word: which resume format is actually best for ATS? if you're deciding which free format to send for a specific application.