Fix OneNote Image Disappearing When Exporting PowerPoint to PDF
Question details
Handwritten content copied from OneNote disappears when pasted into PowerPoint as a picture, exported to a PDF file, or viewed on an iPad.
- Product
- PowerPoint, OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows, iPad
- Scenario
- Pasting handwritten ink from OneNote 2016 into PowerPoint and subsequently exporting the presentation to PDF.
- Observed behavior
- The pasted content displays correctly as ink in PowerPoint, but completely disappears when it is pasted as a picture, when the file is exported to PDF, or when the resulting document is viewed on an iPad.
Ensure you save a backup of your current PowerPoint presentation and keep the original OneNote notebook open so you can easily re-copy the drawings if necessary.
Save the Object as a Picture and Reinsert Before Exporting
Convert the problematic OneNote ink object into a standard image format on your local drive before exporting the presentation to PDF.
This is the most reliable workaround. By physically saving the ink as a standard image file and reinserting it, you remove the complex legacy ink formatting that causes the PowerPoint PDF export engine to drop the object.
Right-click the handwritten ink or object you pasted into the PowerPoint slide and select 'Save as Picture' from the context menu. Save it to your computer as a JPEG or PNG.
Select the original ink object on your PowerPoint slide and press the Delete key to remove it.
Navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Pictures', select 'This Device', and insert the JPEG or PNG file you just saved.
Go to 'File', select 'Export', and click 'Create PDF/XPS Document' to export your presentation. The image should now remain fully visible in the final PDF.
Copy from the OneNote for Windows App
Bypass OneNote 2016 clipboard compatibility issues by copying the drawings from the modern OneNote app.
Try WPS Office for Flawless Presentation to PDF Exports
If you frequently encounter missing images, disappearing ink, or rendering errors when exporting PowerPoint files to PDF, WPS Office offers a highly stable alternative with a powerful built-in PDF converter.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing PowerPoint (.pptx) file.
- 3. Export to PDF: Click 'Menu', select 'Export to PDF', and save your document without worrying about disappearing images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do images or ink disappear when exporting PowerPoint to PDF?
This usually occurs due to rendering bugs or incompatible clipboard object types (like legacy OneNote ink) not being properly processed by PowerPoint's PDF export engine. Converting these elements to standard JPEGs ensures they are rendered correctly.
Does this missing image issue only affect iPads?
No, the issue originates during the export process within PowerPoint on your computer. The missing content simply becomes noticeable when you view the resulting PDF on an iPad or any other PDF reader.
How can I paste OneNote ink as a standard image in PowerPoint?
After copying the ink from OneNote, right-click on your PowerPoint slide. Under the 'Paste Options' menu, click the 'Picture' icon (which usually has a small mountain or 'U' symbol). If it still disappears upon exporting, use the 'Save as Picture' method.
