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PDF displays different than Word document on Surface 2

Every time I save a word document as a PDF (either by Save As or Export), the PDF displays differently than the Word document. I'm using Word 2013 on the Surface 2. I've never had this problem before but for some reason the PDF is shifting lines. For example, what should be the last line on the bottom of a page is shifted down in the PDF. This affects the entire document.

I've spoken with Surface and Office support online and over the phone. As well, I've googled fixes all week but can't come up with anything. It's just a word document - no images, no charts, etc. The margins are all set to 1'' except for the left which is 1.5. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Layout in Word relies on the active printer driver (see http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/TextReflow.htm). One solution if you were using some add-in to print to PDF would be to select Adobe PDF as the active printer while creating the document. Since this is not possible, you might try selecting the Microsoft XPS Document Writer to see if that helps.
Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://ssbarnhill.com
http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com
Screen shots captured with TechSmith's Snagit

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Hi Suzanne,

Thanks for the response. XPS does the same thing. Shifts lines down to the next page, etc. Even though it's displaying properly in Word. I'm thinking it might just be the limitations of Word RT.

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Download the free PrimoPDF converter which will install itself and appear as a Printer and set that as the active printer and when you want to create a pdf, "print" it with the PrimoPDF printer. 
Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)
dougrobbinsmvp@gmail.com
It's time to replace ‘Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’ with ‘Excellence, Opportunity & Civility’ - V Ramaswamy

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Hi Doug,

I can't download that on a Surface - won't let me. This is honestly the most frustrating thing. I just have to return this. It's obviously because it's RT.

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Exactly. My point is that if you set XPS as the printer, then format the document for that printer, the result you get when you save to PDF will be what you have in Print Layout.
Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://ssbarnhill.com
http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com
Screen shots captured with TechSmith's Snagit

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Hi Suzanne,

I did that. Changed the default from OneNote to XPS. It's formatted perfectly in Word. As soon as I export to PDF, on page 5 a line that should be at the bottom of the page is shifted to the top of page 6. Throws the entire document off. I've honestly tried everything, have spoken with Support. No one can figure it out. I even replaced the Surface 2 with a new one to make sure it wasn't a fault machine. I'm thinking I should have gotten a Pro. Maybe it actually is because it's RT? I've never been so frustrated by such a simple, stupid thing haha.

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From your initial answer, it sounded as if the formatting for XPS was the same as for PDF. I've experienced something similar creating PDFs with Acrobat, and the only real solution is to reformat the document in Word to avoid the problem.
Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://ssbarnhill.com
http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com
Screen shots captured with TechSmith's Snagit

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I've copied and pasted it into a new blank document (without retaining the source formatting) and then reformatted it. STILL the PDF displayed differently. Tonight I'm just going to retype the first dozen pages,. If it continues to do it, I'll just return the device. I don't know what else I can do. I'm not asking a lot of it. It's just text. Simple text.

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Last updated December 11, 2023 Views 1,059 Applies to: