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Power point saving/converting to pdf with white border, help

Anonymous
2011-03-24T18:13:24+00:00

I am using Office 2008 on a Mac.  I have developed a PPT slide that is wider than the "standard" starting slide.  When in PPT the images/text on the slide appears to reach the edges and if I run a slideshow using PPT it fills the entire screen correctly.

The problem is when I try to print preview or convert to a PDF (just using Adobe Reader) I am getting a white border around the edges that I can't get rid of.  I have tried adjusting everything (print area, etc) to no avail.  It even shows up with the white border as a thumbnail when saved on my desktop (even though there is no white border when I'm actually using it in PPT).  Can anyone please help?

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-09-12T06:19:10+00:00

    I experienced the same issue with converting powerpoint slides directly to pdf files and I've come up with a solution that does not involve changing the page or print settings.

    1. Save the powerpoint as a JPEG image.
    2. Open the image in Preview.

    i.   File > Save As > JPEG

    ii.  On the Quality bar, select "Best"

    iii. Re-save the image.

    iv. Convert THIS image to a PDF.

    This procedure produces a "full bleed" file.

    So far, I've only used this technique to produce posters (single page powerpoint) that I print on standard letter size paper.  I'm not sure how this technique would hold up with multi-page powerpoints or posters that need to be printed on larger paper.

    Good luck!

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2012-06-07T01:44:25+00:00

    If you can save/print PDF, you have an Acrobat Reader. If save does not let you change the print setting in the Acrobat, try PRINT PDF (same meaning as Save PDF, but it's under Print.) Go there and look under Acrobat print option. Look for "Scale to Fit Paper". The default should have it checked. Uncheck it and it should let you save PDF without the white border.

    It worked on mine.

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  1. Steve Rindsberg 99,156 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2011-03-25T10:06:48+00:00

    >>  It makes no sense that there isn't a ppt option to fix this without spending $300 on an adobe product, right? 

    Or:   "it makes no sense that Mac's PDF create option doesn't allow you to define a custom page size so that when PPT does what it's always done for the past 20 years, you get the result you'd expect."

    Take yer pick.  ;-)

    >> I tried the Preview idea you discussed, but the ppt slide isnt able to open in preview. 

    Don't open the PPT in Preview ... make a PDF and open THAT.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-28T06:40:39+00:00

    I had same problem. Reading this thread made me realise Powerpoint hides it's Export to PDF command in Save As PDF.

    Use Save as… PDF That will give you same size page as slide dimensions no sweat.

    It's not really a 'Save' it's really an 'Export' so I didn't think to look there. Most Professional Apps would have PDF as an export either in File menu or some kind of Utilities Menu thinking old CAD apps — unless they are a native PDF app like Illustrator which can save as a PDF and reopen it if Open in Illustrator option was checked.

    Seeing as a PDF "Save As'd" from PPT can't be opened in Powerpoint it is definitely not a 'Save' command.

    Take note MS although you's been doin' this **** forever shrugs.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-25T10:01:29+00:00

    I solved this for me by making a custom page size and setting the non-printable area to 0 mm.

    File -> Page Setup

    ->options

    ->Paper size -> Manage custom sizes

    ->Add a custom paper size

    Set the paper size width and height to the desired dimensions and change the non-printable area for Top, bottom, left and right to 0 mm.

    File -> Print -> Unselect scale to fit page if selected

    -> Click PDF in lower left corner and save as PDF

    This should create a correctly sized PDF without a border.

    If you go File -> Save as -> PDF  this will save with a border.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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