How to Exclude Document Properties by Default When Saving Word as PDF
Question details
The user wants to permanently uncheck the 'Document Properties' option by default when exporting or saving a Microsoft Word document as a PDF.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting a Word document to a PDF file without embedding metadata such as the document title.
- Observed behavior
- By default, Word includes document properties when saving as a PDF, causing many PDF readers to display the document's Title metadata in the window tab instead of the actual file name.
Ensure you have saved your current Word document and enabled the Developer tab in your Microsoft Word ribbon to access the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
Use a VBA Macro to Export PDF without Document Properties
Since Microsoft Word does not provide a built-in toggle to permanently uncheck document properties for PDF exports across sessions, using a custom VBA macro ensures the 'IncludeDocProps' setting is always forced to False.
This macro utilizes the ExportAsFixedFormat method. It automatically captures your current file name, sets the export format to PDF, and disables the inclusion of document properties, ensuring the resulting PDF uses the file name rather than the title metadata.
Press Alt + F11 on your keyboard to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
Click on 'Insert' in the top menu bar of the VBA editor and select 'Module' to create a blank workspace for your macro code.
Copy and paste the following code into the module window: Sub PDFFileNameNotTitle() 'Export PDF document using the file name rather than the title Dim strFileName As String With ActiveDocument strFileName = Left(.FullName, InStrRev(.FullName, ".") - 1) .ExportAsFixedFormat OutputFileName:=strFileName, _ ExportFormat:=wdExportFormatPDF, _ OpenAfterExport:=True, OptimizeFor:=wdExportOptimizeForPrint, _ Range:=wdExportAllDocument, From:=1, To:=1, _ Item:=wdExportDocumentContent, IncludeDocProps:=False, _ KeepIRM:=True, CreateBookmarks:=wdExportCreateNoBookmarks, _ DocStructureTags:=True, BitmapMissingFonts:=True, _ UseISO19005_1:=False End With End Sub
Press F5 or click the 'Run' button (the green play icon) on the toolbar. Your Word document will be instantly exported and saved as a PDF in the same directory, completely free of embedded document properties.
Easily Manage PDF Exports with WPS Office
If you find Microsoft Word's default save settings rigid and VBA macros too complex to maintain, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with an intuitive built-in PDF export tool that gives you clear, upfront control over metadata and formatting without writing any code.
- 1. Open your Document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 2. Select Export to PDF: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Export to PDF'.
- 3. Customize and Export: Adjust your preferred export settings in the prompt dialog and click 'Export'. WPS handles the conversion smoothly without needing macros.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my saved PDF display the document title instead of the file name?
When you save a Word document as a PDF with the 'Document Properties' option enabled, metadata such as the 'Title' field is embedded in the PDF. Most modern PDF readers prioritize displaying this embedded title in the window tab rather than the actual file name.
Can I permanently uncheck 'Document Properties' in Word's Save As dialog without code?
No, Microsoft Word currently resets the 'Document Properties' option in the 'Save As PDF' Options menu every time you restart the application. To bypass this default behavior permanently, you must use a VBA macro.
How can I remove document properties manually before saving?
If you prefer not to use a macro, you can clear the properties manually. Go to File > Info, click on 'Check for Issues', and select 'Inspect Document'. Run the inspector and click 'Remove All' next to 'Document Properties and Personal Information' before exporting your PDF.
