Can OneNote print to PDF in dark mode?

Ashley 101 Reputation points
2021-05-01T15:07:47.49+00:00

I'm using the desktop app of OneNote on my Surface Pro. I use dark mode, lines or grids, and many fun colors to take and organize my notes. Dark mode is easier on the eyes and less distracting when writing notes in a dark classroom.

The only way to export and save these notes is to print as PDF but it doesn't save in dark mode. Instead, the background is light, the lines or grids is the most noticeable feature of the PDF, and I can't read half of my written notes because I'm trying to read white or yellow writing on a white page. It also seems like some colors aren't compatible with printing because there are many blank spaces.

I don't intend to actually print these. Printing a completely black page is a waste of ink and makes no sense. That's probably why the print to PDF feature turns it to a white page. However, I want the ability to save my notes as a PDF exactly as they appear in OneNote. Is there a way to do this? If not, can this feature be included in an update? I'm most frustrated because iPad users using an iOS app have this feature.

OneNote Management
OneNote Management
OneNote: A family of Microsoft products that enable users to capture, organize, and reuse notes electronically.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Ashley 101 Reputation points
    2021-06-30T23:27:46.233+00:00

    I'm so excited! I started working on this problem again and found that someone at Microsoft found a workaround for the dark mode/pdf problem: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/onenote-how-can-i-print-the-black-background-to-a/ec86fd43-7af8-4ecc-a5b8-6ba84ecac21c

    I tested it myself and it definitely worked. I can start using fun colors again. The only caveat is that page lines and grids are not visible over the background picture.

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  1. Vaibhav 1 Reputation point
    2021-05-02T07:37:02.767+00:00

    It has this feature on ipad? I've been searching for a way to this on my iPad and Iv not been successful..it would be very helpful if you could help me with this.

  2. YourAverageUser 1 Reputation point
    2021-05-21T19:48:25.593+00:00

    From what I have heard, the only way to do it would be to go through the mobile app, turning on dark mode on the mobile app, and then and then try saving it as a PDF. It should work, but I had problems with very long notes.

  3. Himanshu Mishra 0 Reputation points
    2023-03-18T14:22:27.24+00:00

    You can insert a black image in light mode and set it as background image. Now you can write whatever you want and when you'll print it to PDF it will be in dark background as you wished.

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