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PowerPoint print to PDF is not working

Courtney 0 Reputation points
2025-08-08T13:49:42.56+00:00

My PowerPoint print to PDF in the desktop app is not working properly. I use it for printing handouts and every time I try to print from PPT to PDF as a 3 slides per page handout, or a 2 slides handout it prints to a Text Document. I have included a picture from the folder I am trying to save to for reference.

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It started doing this a few months ago periodically, but now it does it any time I try to save from PowerPoint to PDF in the desktop app, and unfortunately online does not offer the 2 slides per page work around that I need for these handouts. Can someone help me fix this? Thanks!

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For business | Windows
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  1. John Korchok 218.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-08T17:17:49.3666667+00:00

    The files end with .log, indicating that PowerPoint was not able to save the file in the format you chose, but instead produced a .log file with the errors that were generated. If you open those log files, then post the error messages contained in them, there may be information that is useful to correcting this problem.

    If you haven't already tried it, you can run an Office Repair to see if that will correct the issue. The Online Repair option is more thorough.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Julie-Hu 1,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-08-08T14:54:51.3733333+00:00

    Dear @Courtney, 

    Good day! Welcome to Q&A forum! 

    To understand the situation better, could you confirm the following information: 

    • What version of Windows and PowerPoint are you using? Were there any recent updates before this issue started? 
    • Does it fail for every presentation or only a specific file? (Please test with 1-slide blank file and let me know the result) 
    • Which Printer are you using (e.g., Microsoft Print to PDF or a third-party PDF printer)? 
    • Does it work when you Print to PDF from another app (Word, Edge)? 

    Your confirmation would be very helpful! 

    In the meantime, kindly try the following suggestions to check what might have caused the issue: 

    • Run PowerPoint in Safe Mode using Windows + R > powerpnt /safe > OK to rule out add-ins and test again if the issue persists 
    • Repair Office installation 
      • Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change, then select Repair 
    • (Workaround for now) Create Handouts to Word (then print to PDF from Word), please refer to this article: Edit or print PowerPoint handouts in Word - Microsoft Support 
      • File > Export > Create Handouts ️> Create Handouts > pick a layout > in Word, File > Print > Microsoft Print to PDF
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    Kindly let me know when there are updates or if you need further assistance. Any updates you’re able to share would be really helpful. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing how things are going! 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".   

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