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When converting to PDF, transparent images turn grey

Anonymous
2018-11-16T16:20:47+00:00

Here is what the image looks like in Word:

Here is what the image looks like when converted to PDF:

I have checked the "Print background colors and images" box in Word; using a Mac. I have been doing this for years and it has only just become a problem.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-02-23T20:28:58+00:00

    I think the problem here is the PDF/A standard.  PDF/A-1 does not allow transparency.  So if you have any images with transparent images in your document you cannot save it as PDF/A-1 but you can save it as a regular PDF file (i.e PDF/X).

    This is a PDF standard and not a problem with WORD.

    From the FAQ at: https://www.pdfa.org/pdfa-faq/

    How are PDF/A and PDF/X related to each other?

    The PDF/A and PDF/X standards are fundamentally compatible; i.e. a PDF file can generally conform to both PDF/A and PDF/X, but for maximum compatibility with modern PDF/X files, PDF/A-2 is highly recommended due to its support for transparency and layers.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-02-08T09:13:09+00:00

    I found a work-around - if you Print the doc to PDF from within a Windows pc/laptop the pdf file will then open and print correctly from within a Mac. 

    HOWEVER, if you Export to PDF (rather than print) from a Windows, the image will display correctly in Windows, but will have a grey background when you open that resultant pdf file on a Mac....

    It only works if you have access to a Windows version of Word though :(

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-05-03T06:06:15+00:00

    The bug was with Mac OS but now it is corrected.

    Have now updated Mojave for 10.14.4 version and Power Point 16.25 and the transparency works well.

    (I had the problem for several months.)

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-01-10T04:54:01+00:00

    I was having the same issue, however, I think I've narrowed down the problem.

    The problem is occurring when the graphic is a png file. 

    If I save the graphic as a jpg and put back in the word doc, it prints fine and saves as a pdf without graying out the graphic. 

    I've tested on several documents now and this works. :)

    (I'm also using a Mac with Mojove 10.14.2 and Word 16.16.5.)

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-02-19T02:12:38+00:00

    I have this precise same problem. It happened this weekend after I upgraded to Mac OS Mojave. My background is a jpg that is set to 60% transparency. I have been using versions of this slide deck for months and months, and the problem happened tonight the first time I tried to save as pdf from the file. It also shows up more immediately in the print preview window when you go to print.

    It smells strongly like something with Mac Mojave has set off a problem with transparency in Mac PowerPoint.

    I have up to date versions of Mac OS and MS PowerPoint. 

    I am also losing my mind because I use pdfs of versions of this file several times a week. 

    Please fix quickly!!

    My workaround is to depend on a co-worker who has not upgraded yet. I will post if I find a better workaround.

    ADDITION: I found a workaround. I put the full background image file in Adobe Elements and used a white layer to make a version that was the same transparency level. I then replaced the background image and the new version prints and pdf-s as expected.

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