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Layout changes when I save to PDF from Word 365

Anonymous
2017-12-05T22:02:27+00:00

Hi guys

I have a word document with two column layout. When I try to save it as PDF it retains the 2 column layout but the document is now 3 columns over 2 pages instead of the nice neat 4 full columns over two pages. It looks like I ran out of words. 

I have tried saving to PDF and to XPS (same issue). Tried exporting to PDF, printing to PDF. Users of earlier versions of word were told to turn off the print metrics and I cannot find this as an option anywhere in Word 365 (I'm looking in advanced options on print). I have not changed the margin size other than to use the 2 column layout. When I switch it back to a single column then it retains the layout. I don't want to do this but if I have to I will. 

Please can anyone suggest a solution?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-12-06T17:31:53+00:00

    When you create a PDF, are you embedding the font? It appears to me that the "Standard" PDF output using the built-in PDF creator in Word does embed fonts because there is an option to "Bitmap text when fonts may not be embedded." You should check on the Options in use when you create the PDF.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T06:10:05+00:00

    Hi

    Well my daughter has solved the problem and now I have a new problem. 

    The paper is standard UK A4 and no changes have been made to settings. However I am using Oxygen font and daughter pointed out that might be the issue. Sure enough when I change the font to anything else that's pre-loaded with Word, it shrinks down to 3 columns. 

    This is a problem for me because I'm just starting in business, my website is in Oxygen and I wanted all my document templates to use the same font so I develop a consistent look. Clearly that cannot happen if everytime I PDF a document the layout changes dramatically. 

    So, is there a way of changing things in Adobe so it can cope with Oxygen? If I bought Adobe Writer for example, could I get it to recognise Oxygen?

    Alternatively, is there any other way of making my documents read only whilst retaining the Oxygen font and layout in Word?

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T04:18:59+00:00

    Hi,

    You could be experiencing some layout changes because you of the paper size that you're using.

    We would like the following questions for us to get a bigger picture of the issue you're experiencing:

    • Can you verify which paper size are you using ?
    • Were there any changes made in your settings?

    We look forward to your reply.

    Regards.

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