Fix Incorrect Inter Font PDF Exports from Word on Mac
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where the Inter font renders incorrectly when exporting documents to PDF or printing from Microsoft Word on an M1 Mac.

- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS (M1 processor)
- Scenario
- Exporting documents containing the Inter font to PDF or attempting to print them.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF file exports with incorrect font rendering, and printing causes formatting problems along with unexpected comments appearing on the document.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save all open documents before beginning the update processes for macOS and Microsoft Office to prevent data loss.
Update macOS, Microsoft Office, and Printer Drivers
Keeping your operating system, word processor, and printer drivers fully updated is the most effective way to resolve font compatibility and rendering bugs on Apple Silicon (M1) devices.
Software updates often contain essential bug fixes for font rendering engines and PDF conversion modules. M1 processors particularly require optimized versions of these drivers to process custom fonts like Inter correctly.
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update, and install any available system updates.
Open Microsoft Word, select 'Help' from the top menu bar, click 'Check for Updates', and install the latest available versions using Microsoft AutoUpdate.
Visit your printer manufacturer's official website, search for your exact printer model, and download the latest M1-compatible drivers or firmware.
After all updates are installed, click the Apple menu and select 'Restart' to ensure all new system configurations and driver changes are fully applied.

Reset the Mac Printing System
If updating does not resolve the unexpected comments or formatting problems when printing, resetting the Mac printing system will clear corrupted printer cache files.
Use WPS Office for Flawless PDF Exports on Mac
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with font rendering and PDF exports on your M1 Mac, switch to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative with a robust built-in PDF rendering engine.
- 1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Download and install the native Mac version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. You'll notice your Inter font and formatting remain perfectly intact.
- 3. Export to PDF Safely: Go to Menu > Export to PDF. WPS Office uses its own advanced rendering engine to guarantee the PDF looks exactly like your original document.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Inter font display correctly in Word but fail upon PDF export?
This discrepancy often happens on M1 Macs due to PDF conversion engine bugs or outdated font caches in Microsoft Word. While the app interface renders the font fine, the translation module that builds the PDF fails to embed custom OTF/TTF files correctly.
How do I remove unexpected markup or comments when printing from Word?
Before printing or exporting, navigate to the 'Review' tab, click on the 'Tracking' options, and change the view to 'No Markup'. Additionally, ensure 'Print Markup' is unchecked in your print dialog box settings.
Are third-party custom fonts fully supported in Mac Word to PDF exports?
While Word for Mac supports most third-party OTF and TTF fonts, heavily customized or non-standard fonts sometimes encounter embedding restrictions during PDF conversion. Updating to the latest Office version helps maximize compatibility.
Can I use the native Mac print dialog to bypass Word's PDF export bugs?
Yes. Instead of using Word's 'Save As' or built-in 'Export' features, press Command+P to open the Print menu. Click the 'PDF' dropdown at the bottom of the window and select 'Save as PDF' to utilize macOS's native rendering engine instead.




