Printing Problems

How to Fix Missing Word Table Borders When Converting to PDF

Bushra Parveen Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to ensure that table borders and colored columns remain visible and accurately formatted when converting a Word document into a PDF file.

How to Fix Missing Word Table Borders When Converting to PDF

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Converting or exporting a document containing formatted tables from Word to PDF.
Observed behavior: Table borders and colored columns appear to be missing, faint, or incorrectly displayed when the exported document is opened in a PDF viewer.

Before you start

Ensure your PDF viewing software is updated to the latest version, as display issues with thin lines are often caused by the rendering engine of the PDF reader rather than the actual conversion process.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Print to PDF Instead of Exporting

Bypassing the built-in PDF export function and using the virtual printer often resolves rendering issues with thin table borders and colored columns.

The standard 'Create PDF/XPS Document' export feature handles graphics differently than print spoolers. Using 'Microsoft Print to PDF' creates a flatter, more reliable document structure that accurately preserves table borders.

Open the Print Menu

Open the affected document in Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Print' from the left-hand navigation pane.

Select the Virtual Printer

Click the 'Printer' dropdown menu and choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF' from the list of available printers.

Print to File

Click the large 'Print' button. A 'Save Print Output As' dialog box will appear. Choose your desired save location, name the file, and click 'Save'.

Use Microsoft Print to PDF Instead of Exporting

Check Zoom Levels: Before assuming the borders failed to render, open the newly created PDF and zoom in to 150% or higher. Some borders are visually compressed at standard zoom levels but perfectly intact in the file.

Solution 2

Test the PDF in Alternative Viewers

Different PDF readers use varying algorithms to display lines on a screen. A border that looks missing in Adobe Acrobat might display properly in Microsoft Edge.

Solution 3

Perform a Physical Print Test

The ultimate test for document formatting is the physical print output, as screen rendering can sometimes be deceiving with sub-pixel lines.

Seamless Word to PDF Conversion

Convert Word to PDF Flawlessly with WPS Office

Use WPS Writer to convert your text documents to PDF without losing table formatting, colored columns, or thin borders. WPS Office features a robust built-in PDF converter that ensures high-fidelity exports for all your professional documents.

1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your Word document containing the complex tables.
2. Select Export to PDF: Navigate to the 'Menu' in the top-left corner and click on 'Export to PDF'.
3. Configure and Export: In the dialog box, ensure 'Standard' quality is selected for accurate rendering, choose your save location, and click the 'Export to PDF' button.

Accurate table border and color rendering during PDF export.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx and .doc.Built-in, high-quality PDF reader for instant verification.Free, lightweight, and easy to use on any operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my table borders disappear only when I zoom out in the PDF?

PDF rendering engines often compress thin lines (like 0.5pt borders) at lower zoom levels to fit the screen resolution and avoid anti-aliasing artifacts. Zooming in or printing the document usually reveals that the borders are perfectly intact.

Can I fix missing PDF borders by changing the table border thickness in Word?

Yes, increasing the table border thickness in your Word document (for example, from ½ pt to 1 pt or 1 ½ pt) makes it significantly easier for PDF viewers to render them correctly on standard computer screens.

Does the choice of PDF viewer affect how table colors and borders are displayed?

Absolutely. Different PDF software applications use distinct rendering algorithms. For example, a fine table border that looks missing in Adobe Acrobat may display perfectly well in Microsoft Edge or the WPS PDF reader.

Document & File Issues