How to Fix Word Text Colors Becoming Black After PDF Conversion
Question details
Colored text in a Word document changes to black upon conversion to PDF.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document containing colored text into a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- All colored text loses its formatting and appears as solid black in the resulting PDF document.
Ensure that your default printer settings are not set to 'Print in Grayscale' or 'Black and White,' as this can affect how PDF converters render colors during the export process.
Modify 'Print to PDF' Color Settings
If you are using the 'Print to PDF' feature, the virtual printer might be defaulted to grayscale. Changing this setting will restore color in your output.
Many users convert Word documents to PDF using virtual printers. If the virtual printer is configured for monochrome output, the resulting PDF will discard all text colors.
Press 'Ctrl + P' or navigate to 'File' > 'Print' within Microsoft Word.
Select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or your preferred third-party PDF printer from the dropdown list, then click the 'Printer Properties' link.
Navigate to the 'Paper/Quality' or 'Advanced' tab (depending on your printer driver) and ensure the output is set to 'Color' rather than 'Black & White' or 'Grayscale'.
Click 'OK' to save the settings, then click the 'Print' button to generate your PDF with all original text colors intact.
Check Word's Export Options
Ensure that Word is not set to optimize for text-only or draft quality when saving directly to PDF.
Use WPS Office to Export Word to PDF with Perfect Color Retention
WPS Office offers a built-in, highly accurate PDF converter that perfectly retains all original text colors, images, and formatting from your Word documents without requiring complicated printer settings.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open the Word document (.docx) containing the colored text.
- 2. Access the Export Tool: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, then select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Configure and Export: In the prompt window, verify your export options and click the 'Export to PDF' button to save your file with full color intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF save in black and white?
This usually happens when your 'Print to PDF' virtual printer properties are set to 'Grayscale' or 'Black & White', or if your document export settings are configured for draft quality.
Does macOS handle Word to PDF color conversion differently?
Yes, Mac users typically use the built-in 'Save as PDF' option via the Print dialog. If the Print dialog preset is configured to 'Black and White', the resulting PDF will lose its text colors.
Can high contrast mode in Windows affect PDF text colors?
Yes. If Windows High Contrast mode is enabled, Word may display and export text as black or white to maximize readability, which can alter the colors in the resulting PDF.
How can I fix hyperlinks that turn black in PDF?
Check your hyperlink styles in Word. If the style is accidentally set to black or not explicitly set to blue, the PDF conversion might render them black. Updating the 'Hyperlink' style in Word usually resolves this.
