Formatting Issues

How to Fix Incorrect PDF Page Size When Exporting an A6 Publisher File

Khadija Khan Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Publisher exports an A6 postcard to an incorrect PDF page size.

Fix Incorrect PDF Page Size When Exporting an A6 Publisher File

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting an A6 postcard document to PDF format using Microsoft Publisher.
Observed behavior: The exported PDF has an incorrect page size, such as A5, instead of the original A6 dimensions, even when the 'Scale to fit paper' option is disabled.

Before you start

Verify the original dimensions of your Publisher file (A6 is typically 4.13 × 5.83 inches) and ensure you have administrative rights in case you need to update or repair your PDF printer driver.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Publisher Page and PDF Export Settings

Adjusting the built-in export settings ensures the output dimensions match your original document exactly.

Microsoft Publisher often defaults to the page size configured in your primary printer settings. By overriding the publish options, you can force the software to retain the true A6 dimensions.

Open Export Options

Open your A6 postcard document in Microsoft Publisher. Go to the 'File' menu, select 'Export', and choose 'Create PDF/XPS Document'.

Access Publish Options

Click the 'Options' button before saving to open the Publish Options dialog box.

Disable Scaling

Click on 'Print Options' and verify that 'Scale to fit paper' is completely unchecked.

Verify Paper Size

Ensure the paper size under the printer settings is specifically set to A6, then click 'OK' and publish your PDF.

Configure Publisher Page and PDF Export Settings

Tip: Always open the resulting PDF in a reader like Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF and check the document properties (Ctrl + D) to confirm the final dimensions are 4.13 × 5.83 inches.

Solution 2

Verify PDF Printer Driver Settings

Sometimes the default virtual printer overrides Publisher's page size settings during the export process.

Solution 3

Repair or Update Microsoft Publisher

Fix software bugs in Microsoft Publisher that may cause the export function to ignore page size configurations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Publisher ignore my A6 page size when saving as a PDF?

This usually happens because Publisher's export engine defaults to standard paper sizes (like A4 or A5) defined by your default printer driver. You must manually override the print options and ensure 'Scale to fit paper' is disabled.

What is the exact dimension of an A6 document?

An A6 document measures 105 × 148 millimeters, or 4.13 × 5.83 inches. Ensure both your document layout and print settings match these precise measurements.

Can I use another PDF tool to export the Publisher file correctly?

Yes. Using a third-party PDF virtual printer often resolves the issue by giving you stricter control over output page dimensions. You can select an alternative PDF printer from the Print menu instead of using the standard Export feature.

Document & File Issues