Printing Problems

How to Create a 6 x 9 Inch PDF from Microsoft Word

WPS Editor Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to correctly export a document formatted for a 6 x 9 inch layout as a PDF without the software forcing a default paper size.

How to Create a 6 x 9 Inch PDF from Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting a custom-sized book or document layout to PDF for publishing or printing.
Observed behavior: A Word document originally configured for 6 x 9 inches unexpectedly exports or prints as an 8.5 x 11 inch PDF.

Before you start

Verify that your document margins are appropriately adjusted for a smaller 6 x 9 inch canvas to prevent text or images from overflowing off the page during conversion.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Custom Paper Size via the Page Setup Dialog

This is the standard method for Windows users to force Microsoft Word to recognize and lock in the custom 6 x 9 dimensions before exporting.

Microsoft Word often defaults to your printer's standard paper size (usually 8.5 x 11 inches) when generating a PDF. To bypass this, you must explicitly define the paper dimensions in the Page Setup menu before using the Save As function.

Open Page Layout Settings

Navigate to the 'Layout' or 'Page Layout' tab on the Word ribbon. Alternatively, you can double-click the top part of the horizontal ruler to quickly open the Page Setup dialog.

Define the Custom Size

Click on 'Size' and select 'More Paper Sizes' at the bottom of the drop-down menu. In the dialog box that appears, manually enter 6 inches for the width and 9 inches for the height, then click 'OK'.

Save as PDF

Go to 'File' > 'Save As', choose your desired save location, and select 'PDF' from the file format drop-down menu. Click 'Save' to generate the correctly sized document.

Set Custom Paper Size via the Page Setup Dialog

Verify Your PDF: After saving, open the generated PDF in your preferred viewer (like Adobe Acrobat), press Ctrl+D (or Cmd+D on Mac) to view the document properties, and confirm the page size is exactly 6 x 9 inches.

Solution 2

Manage Custom Sizes in Word for Mac

Word for Mac places custom paper size settings in a different menu. Use this method if you cannot find the custom size option in the standard Layout tab.

Seamless PDF Export

Easily Create 6x9 PDFs with WPS Writer

WPS Office features a robust, built-in PDF exporter that strictly respects your custom page layouts. You can easily set your 6 x 9 inch dimensions and export directly without worrying about printer driver overrides.

1. Set Page Size in WPS Writer: Open your document in WPS Writer. Go to the 'Page Layout' tab, click 'Size', and select 'More Paper Sizes' to enter 6 x 9 inches.
2. Access the Export Tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Export to PDF'.
3. Export the Document: In the export dialog, ensure your output settings are correct and click 'Export to PDF' to save your precisely sized 6 x 9 inch file.

Built-in PDF conversion tool that maintains exact custom paper dimensionsHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and layoutsFree, lightweight, and easy to navigateUnified interface for page setup and exporting across Windows and Mac

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF always revert to 8.5 x 11 inches?

This usually happens because Word uses your default printer's settings (typically Letter size) to render the PDF. Explicitly setting a custom paper size in the Page Setup dialog overrides this default printer behavior.

Does 'Print to PDF' work the same as 'Save As PDF' for custom sizes?

Not always. The 'Print to PDF' virtual printer often enforces its own paper size limits based on printer driver configurations, which can cause scaling issues. Using 'File > Save As > PDF' is generally more reliable for maintaining custom page dimensions.

Will changing the paper size to 6 x 9 affect my document's formatting?

Yes. Shrinking the page size from 8.5 x 11 to 6 x 9 inches will cause text to reflow and may push images to subsequent pages. It is highly recommended to set your paper size before finalizing your layout and formatting.

How can I check the page size of my PDF after exporting?

Open the exported PDF in a PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF. Navigate to File > Properties (or press Ctrl+D). Look for the 'Page Size' under the Description tab to verify it reads 6 x 9 in.

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