How to Fix Missing or Misaligned Text When Printing PDFs
Question details
The user is experiencing formatting errors such as missing letters, incorrect spacing, or misaligned text when attempting to print a PDF.
- Product
- PDF Reader and Presentation Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document that was originally created from a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
- Observed behavior
- The printed version of the PDF contains missing text, erratic character spacing, or misaligned layouts compared to the original PowerPoint slide.
Before proceeding, ensure that your printer is properly connected, its firmware is up to date, and the original presentation file displays correctly on your screen without any existing text anomalies.
Update Presentation Software, PDF Reader, and Printer Drivers
Incompatibilities between software versions and outdated printer drivers are the most common causes of font rendering and printing failures.
PDF text alignment issues frequently stem from a breakdown in communication between the application that generated the PDF, the software reading it, and the printer driver interpreting the print job. Ensuring all three are updated resolves the majority of these conflicts.
Open Microsoft PowerPoint and your PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF), and check the 'About' section in the Help or Settings menu to ensure you are running the latest stable builds.
Navigate to the official website of your printer's manufacturer, search for your exact printer model, and download the latest drivers available for your operating system.
Install the downloaded printer drivers and any available software updates, then restart your computer to apply the changes before attempting to print again.
Change the PDF Generation Method
Different PDF export engines handle font embedding differently. Trying an alternative export method can resolve spacing and missing letter errors.
Print the PDF as an Image
Forcing the PDF reader to process the document as an image bypasses vector font rendering entirely, ensuring the physical print matches the screen.
Convert and Print PDFs Perfectly with WPS Office
WPS Office features a robust, built-in PDF converter that accurately preserves fonts, layouts, and character spacing from your original presentation. By using WPS Presentation to export your slides, you can eliminate printing glitches and ensure your documents look exactly as intended.
- 1. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open the original PowerPoint file.
- 2. Export to PDF: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, navigate to 'Export to PDF', and configure your desired layout settings.
- 3. Save the Document: Click the 'Export to PDF' button to generate a high-quality PDF with perfectly embedded fonts.
- 4. Print Directly: Open the newly saved PDF using the built-in WPS PDF tool, click the 'Print' icon, and print with perfect text alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do letters go missing when printing a PDF created from PowerPoint?
Missing letters usually occur because the fonts used in the original presentation were not successfully embedded in the PDF file, or the printer's firmware struggles to process specific vector font data during the printing job.
How can I check if fonts are properly embedded in my PDF?
Open your PDF in a reader like Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF, go to 'File' > 'Properties', and select the 'Fonts' tab. If a font is properly embedded, you will see '(Embedded)' or '(Embedded Subset)' listed directly next to the font name.
Is there a difference between 'Save as PDF' and 'Print to PDF'?
Yes. 'Save as PDF' uses the application's built-in export engine to retain structural tags, hyperlinks, and vector fonts. 'Print to PDF' relies on a virtual printer driver which essentially flattens the file into a fixed layout, often resolving complex font misalignment issues at the cost of some interactive features.
