File Format & Compatibility

Fix White Squares Covering Text When Exporting Word to PDF

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 872 views

Question details

Users experience an issue where exporting a Microsoft Word document to PDF results in text being covered by white squares or blank areas.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting a document from Microsoft Word format to PDF format.
Observed behavior: The resulting PDF file displays white squares or blank areas over the text, obscuring the content while images and figures remain visible.

Before you start

Before attempting to troubleshoot, save a complete backup of your original Word document. Keep the original file unaltered, as attempting to copy the content into a newly created file rarely resolves this specific export glitch.

Solution 1Recommended

Report the File to Microsoft Support

Since this is a known rendering bug in certain Microsoft Word environments, the most effective step identified by experts is to escalate the specific file to Microsoft Support.

This issue is often highly specific to the combination of your document layout, installed fonts, and Office version. Investigating the exact file helps developers identify the root cause.

Duplicate the affected file

Create a complete copy of the original Word document. Do not overwrite or format the original, as it contains the source formatting causing the rendering issue.

Gather environment details

Write down your exact Microsoft Office version, your operating system, the specific fonts used in the document, and the exact method you used to export to PDF (e.g., File > Save As, Print to PDF, or File > Export).

Submit to the support team

Contact Microsoft Support or the official Microsoft Community forums. Provide both the original Word document and the corrupted PDF file for investigation, referencing your specific issue.

Avoid Starting Over: Creating a brand new document and pasting the content usually does not resolve this problem and consumes unnecessary time, so keep the original file for troubleshooting.

Solution 2

Try an Alternative PDF Export Method

If the built-in 'Save As PDF' or 'Export' feature fails, using a virtual printer to generate the PDF can sometimes bypass the font or rendering glitch.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Flawless PDF Exports

If Microsoft Word is struggling to export your documents correctly, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a robust built-in PDF converter that accurately renders fonts and complex layouts without displaying white squares or missing text.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file directly.
3. Export to PDF: Click 'Menu' > 'Export to PDF' to generate a pristine, error-free PDF document.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc).Built-in, high-fidelity PDF converter that avoids common rendering glitches.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there white blocks covering my text in the exported PDF?

This is typically caused by font rendering conflicts or underlying bugs within specific versions of Microsoft Word's PDF export engine. It most frequently occurs when a document contains customized fonts, overlapping figures, or complex styling.

Will copying my text to a new Word document fix the PDF export issue?

Generally, no. In this specific scenario, recreating the document or pasting the content into a new file usually carries over the underlying formatting glitch. It is recommended to try an alternative PDF printer or use alternative software like WPS Office.

Does changing the font help remove the white squares in the PDF?

Sometimes changing the document's font to a standard, universally supported system font (like Arial or Calibri) can bypass the rendering bug. However, this alters the intended visual layout and design of your document.

Document & File Issues