Forum Discussion
Microsoft Word "Save as PDF" - fonts not rendering
Hi all,
I have a Word document which uses the Readex Pro family of fonts:
https://github.com/ThomasJockin/readexpro
I have all fonts installed locally and when I view it in Word, it appears as rendered: the main font used is Readex Pro Deca Light, while headings used Readex Pro Deca SemiBold.
However, when I use "Save a Copy > PDF" in Word, everything is rendered as Readex Pro Deca Light. (That happens with the "Bitmap text..." in the options either on or off.
If I use Print > Print to PDF, the headings are rendered in the right font. But of course I don't get features that way such as a left-hand navigation pane of headings in the resulting PDF.
Does anyone know why Microsoft Word's "Save a Copy > PDF" seems not to use font families correctly? Is there a workaround here?
5 Replies
One thing I'd also check is whether Word is treating the different weights as separate font files or just as style variants within the same family. I've run into similar behavior with a few open-source variable fonts where the document looked perfect in Word, but the built-in PDF export flattened everything to a single weight, while Print to PDF preserved the appearance.
If you're using the variable version of Readex Pro, it may be worth testing with the static font files (Light, SemiBold, etc.) instead of the variable font, just to see if the PDF export behaves differently. If that fixes it, it would point more toward a limitation or bug in Word's PDF export engine rather than a problem with the font itself.
Also, after creating the PDF, open it in Acrobat and check File → Properties → Fonts to verify which font variants were actually embedded. That can help determine whether the wrong font is being embedded or whether the PDF viewer is substituting it during rendering.
agree
1. Force embedded fonts
Windows: File → Save As → PDF → Click “Options” → Check “Embed Fonts
Mac: Export as PDF → Check “Always Embed Fonts
Replace with system fonts
2. Select all documents (Ctrl + A / Cmd + A) → change to Calibri / Arial / Microsoft Yahei → re-save PDF
Clear font cache
3. Close Word → Delete the path file:
C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\FontCache → Restart the computer.Actually in Word - it is under Word... Preferences.
Then under Output + Sharing, and then Save area - at the very bottom there is an area called Font Embedding - toggle it ON.
Ensure that the fonts are embedded in the PDF when saving. Some fonts may not embed correctly, leading to rendering issues.
- Open your Word document.
- Go to File > Options.
- Click on Save in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the section labeled "Preserve fidelity when sharing this document."
- Check the box for “Embed fonts in the file.”
