Low Image Resolution When Exporting Excel Mac to PDF After Microsoft 365 Update (MAC USER)

Question

Hi,

I need your help regarding an issue that I've been trying to fix this issue.

The images in my Excel file are high-definition (HD) and high-quality. I have not compressed the images, and the workbook is also configured not to compress images.

However, when I convert the Excel file to PDF, all of the images become blurry and low resolution. The PDF image quality is much lower than what is displayed in Excel.

This issue only started after updating Microsoft 365. Before the update, exporting the same workbook to PDF produced clear, high-quality images.

I have already tried the following without success:

• Disabled image compression in Excel.
• Reinserted the original HD images.
• Exported using Save As PDF and Print > Save as PDF.
• Verified that the images remain high quality inside Excel before exporting.

Unfortunately, the exported PDF still contains low-resolution images.

Please see the below screenshots showing:

• The original HD image in Excel.
• The exported PDF where the image becomes blurry.

Could you please advise if this is a known issue with the latest Microsoft 365 update or if there is a fix or workaround available?

Thank you for your assistance.

Answer 1

I'm facing the same problem with [Julius Calibo], has been searching from google / asking AI... no solutions as well.
btw, I'm using Excel 365 version 16.111.1 (26071913) & MacBook with MacOS 26.5.2

Answer 2

Hi, Julius Calibo

The comparison confirms that the PDF export is downsampling the images, even though the originals remain sharp in Excel. Since both PDF methods worked before the update, this appears to be an Excel for Mac export regression rather than a workbook setting, although it is not currently listed as a confirmed known issue.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

If available, create the PDF through Adobe Acrobat and choose Press Quality or disable image downsampling. This bypasses Excel’s built-in PDF converter.

Note: This information is provided as a convenience to you. Adobe Acrobat is not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above app. 

As a temporary test, remove Excel 16.111 and install the previous Microsoft package, version 16.110.3. If the same workbook exports clearly again, that confirms the update caused the problem. Avoid keeping the older version permanently because only the latest release is supported.

Report the issue through Help > Feedback or Help > Contact Support. Include the Excel build number, macOS version, sample workbook, and the clear/blurry comparison image.

Reinstalling the same current build or changing compression again is unlikely to help.

Please be advised that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, are not allowed to directly interfere with Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited solely to providing technical guidance on reported incidents, requests, or ideas.   

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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