"The export failed due to an unexpected error"

[as4013566]

Hi - running Office 365 for Business (16.0.9226.2114) on Windows 10. I can create very simple PDFs from Word using Save As>pdf (e.g. a just a document containint the text "Test"); however I'm having problems with more complex documents e.g. a template which i commonly use. When I Save As>pdf, I get a dialog box, "The export failed due to an unexpected error", and Word crashes.

So far I've tried the following:

- 3 hours on the phone to Microsoft tech support; uninstalled and reinstalled Office 365; also experimented with workaround using Microsoft XPS Document Writer, which produced an inaccurate pdf, e.g. with white strips at the top and bottom of each page. Their suggested solution was to use an alternative program, Cute pfd, which also produces an inaccurate copy.

- Experimenting with Word documents which I've previously used to successfully create PDFs using the Save As>pdf method; they also now produce the same error message i.e. "The export failed due to an unexpected error".

- Checking with colleagues who use the same template; while they experienced a similar issue a couple of months ago, they are now able to use the same template to create PDFs without any issues.

What's the solution?

Thanks

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi there,

As I understand, you experience an issue when you create a PDF from the Word file.

As you have mentioned above that you use Save As > PDF option to convert the file to PDF, it does not seem to be an Adobe issue.

You are not using the Adobe PDF maker to convert the file.

Sorry to say, as the file is not created using Adobe PDF maker, there is nothing much that can be done from our end.

If you wish you may try the Adobe Acrobat DC free trial to check if that works for you.

You can install the trial version from here Download Adobe Acrobat free trial | Acrobat Pro DC

Check if that works for you.

Let us know if you have any question or need any help.

Regards,

Meenakshi