Formatting Issues

How to Fix Incorrect OneNote Pen Color in Exported PDF Files

Camila Milosovich Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing an issue where handwritten ink or pen colors change unexpectedly when converting or exporting a OneNote page to a PDF.

How to Fix Incorrect OneNote Pen Color in Exported PDF Files

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Exporting a notebook page containing drawings or handwritten ink to a PDF document.
Observed behavior: The pen color in the resulting PDF differs from the original color displayed in OneNote, and the discrepancy may also appear in OneNote for the Web.

Before you start

Verify if the color discrepancy also appears in OneNote for the Web. Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer before making any changes to the Windows Registry or repairing Office.

Solution 1Recommended

Perform an Online Repair and Clear OneNote Registry Entries

Since the issue might stem from corrupted Office installation data or user configurations, repairing Office and resetting OneNote's registry keys is the most effective fix.

This solution resets OneNote's user preferences by removing its specific registry key and uses Microsoft's built-in repair tool to fix corrupted application files.

Open Registry Editor

Press Windows Key + R, type 'regedit', and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Carefully back up your registry by selecting File > Export.

Delete OneNote Registry Key

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OneNote. Right-click this folder and select Delete to reset your OneNote user preferences.

Run Online Office Repair

Open the Windows Control Panel, go to Programs and Features, select your Microsoft Office installation, and click 'Change'. Select 'Online Repair' and follow the on-screen prompts.

Perform an Online Repair and Clear OneNote Registry Entries

Registry Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Always ensure you have created a backup before deleting any keys.

Solution 2

Test with a New Notebook and User Profile

If repairing Office does not work, the issue may be isolated to a corrupted notebook file or a damaged Windows user profile.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless PDF Export and Document Creation

If Microsoft Office issues persist and you need a reliable way to export documents to PDF without formatting or color loss, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative. It comes with built-in PDF export capabilities that accurately preserve your document's original look without requiring complex registry tweaks.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the office suite.
3. Create and Export to PDF: Open your files in WPS Office and use the built-in 'Export to PDF' feature to save your documents with perfect color accuracy.

Accurate PDF exporting that retains original ink, font colors, and formattingHigh compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsFree and lightweight suite requiring minimal system resourcesFamiliar, user-friendly interface for a seamless migration from MS Office

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my exported PDF look different from my OneNote page?

This typically happens due to corrupted Office installation data, outdated display drivers, or internal glitches in how OneNote's rendering engine translates ink colors during the PDF conversion process.

Does this color issue happen on OneNote for the Web?

Yes, if the ink color is incorrect on OneNote for the Web as well, it strongly indicates a synchronization issue with that specific notebook or corrupted configuration data tied to your Microsoft account profile.

Can I revert registry changes if OneNote stops working?

Yes. As long as you used the 'Export' feature in the Registry Editor to create a backup before making changes, you can simply double-click the exported .reg file to restore the deleted OneNote keys.

Document & File Issues