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How to Make A5 Paper Size Available in Word Without a Printer
Question details
The user needs to set the document paper size to A5 to export as a PDF for a third-party printer, but the A5 option is missing from the settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Formatting a document for A5 size to save as a PDF and send to a commercial or external printing service.
- Observed behavior
- The A5 paper size option is missing from the Page Setup menu because Word only displays paper sizes supported by the active printer, and no physical printer is connected.
Ensure that you are ready to adjust your document's formatting, as changing the paper size to A5 will shift your existing text, margins, and images.
Select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' as the Active Printer
Changing your active printer to a virtual PDF printer forces Word to load all standard paper sizes, including A5, regardless of physical printer connections.
Microsoft Word dynamically generates its paper size options based on the capabilities of the currently selected printer. If no printer is connected, or if the default printer does not support A5, the option is hidden. Using Microsoft Print to PDF bypasses this limitation.
Open your document in Microsoft Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Print' from the left-hand menu.
Under the 'Printer' drop-down menu, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' as your active printer.
Click the back arrow to return to your document. Navigate to the 'Layout' (or 'Page Layout') tab, click on 'Size', and you will now see 'A5' available in the list. Select it to apply the formatting.
Set a Custom Paper Size
If you cannot change your default printer, you can manually input the dimensions of A5 paper to force the document into the correct size.
Easily Format and Export A5 Documents to PDF in WPS Office
WPS Writer makes it incredibly simple to set custom or standard paper sizes like A5, even without a physical printer connected. You can format your document perfectly and use the built-in PDF export tool to send it to third-party printers seamlessly.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 2. Select A5 Size: Navigate to the 'Page Layout' tab, click on 'Size', and select 'A5' directly from the drop-down menu.
- 3. Export to PDF: Once your layout is finalized, click 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Export to PDF' to save a print-ready file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word hide certain paper sizes?
Word pulls its list of available paper sizes directly from the printer driver of your currently selected default printer. If the selected printer does not physically support a specific size like A5, Word hides it to prevent layout and printing errors.
What are the exact dimensions for A5 paper?
A5 paper measures 148 × 210 millimeters, which is exactly 14.8 × 21.0 centimeters or 5.83 × 8.27 inches. It is exactly half the size of a standard A4 sheet.
How do I save my A5 document as a PDF in Word?
Once you have successfully changed the page size to A5, go to File > Save As, choose your destination folder, and select 'PDF' from the 'Save as type' dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can use File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document.
Can I scale an A4 document to print on A5 paper?
Yes. If your document is formatted as A4, you can go to the Print menu, scroll down to the bottom setting (usually '1 Page Per Sheet'), click it, and select 'Scale to Paper Size'. Then choose A5 from the list to automatically shrink the content during the printing or PDF export process.
