Exporting a word.docx to PDF with lossless image compression on Mac 2026

Question

Exporting a word.docx to PDF with lossless image compression on Mac 2026

Max 0

Hi all,

I have the following problem. I want to convert my thesis, a word '.docx' file, to PDF without loss of image quality. Unfortunately, I have not found a way to do so (without losing the cross-references links). I have Microsoft 365 on MacOS Tahoe 26.4. Additionally, I also have access to Acrobat Pro, as well as to a windows PC if really necessary (i.e., if only a windows solution is available). The images themselves are high quality inside word, but the problem only occurs upon conversion to PDF. I have already tried several solutions/settings suggested online, such as:

Save as PDF in Mac printer menu (→ loss of cross-references)
High fidelity + do not compress is selected in word settings → still loss of quality
I have tried Acrobat PDF conversion online → loss of quality
I have tried Acrobat PDF conversion on Mac → loss of quality
I have tried LibreOffice export → loss of cross-references and formatting issues

If you have any suggestions, please let me know; I am desperately in need for a solution!

Best,

Max

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Answer 1

Jayden-P 26,280 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Please note that this is the nl-nl forum. We kindly recommend posting your question in Dutch so that more community members can assist you. Alternatively, you may consider posting in the English forum (en-us) if you prefer to use your native language. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.

Hi @Max

I have tested Save as PDF in Mac printer menu and it does not preserve cross references.

If you have Word on Windows, you can try the built-in export feature: Save or convert to PDF or XPS in Office Desktop apps - Microsoft Support

In File > Export > Create PDF > Options.

Afbeelding van gebruiker

Make sure you tick Create bookmarks with Headings. And do not tick Optimize for image quality.

Afbeelding van gebruiker

Please try and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can figure out another approach.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Max 0 Reputatiepunten

2026-05-25T14:05:49.2566667+00:00

Oké top.

Dit heb ik geprobeerd en verhielp het probleem helaas niet.
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputatiepunten Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-25T14:10:22.76+00:00

Let op: dit antwoord is automatisch vertaald. Daardoor kan het grammaticale fouten of onhandige formuleringen bevatten.

Hallo @Max

Mag ik vragen of de kruisverwijzing verloren is gegaan of dat de beeldkwaliteit is afgenomen?

Kunt u het proberen via Bestand > Een kopie opslaan?
Max 0 Reputatiepunten

2026-05-25T14:15:05.89+00:00

Hi,

The image quality was still poor, unfortunately.
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputatiepunten Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-25T14:57:15.16+00:00
Hi @Max

After doing some further testing, you can try one of these methods:

Go to Word on Windows:

Go to File > Options > Advanced > Image Size and Quality.

Apply the image size and quality settings to the current document or to all new documents.

Click “Do not compress images in file.”

For default resolution, select “High fidelity.”

Then try exporting again.

If the quality is still poor, the last option is to edit the PDF after the conversion.

You mentioned you have Acrobat Pro and have tried Acrobat PDF conversion on Mac → loss of quality. You can insert the image after the conversion.

I know this will be a huge workload if you have many images in your thesis, however, this is the only supported way at the moment.

Please note that Adobe Acrobat is not a Microsoft product. This tool is not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of it. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks before using it.
Max 0 Reputatiepunten

2026-05-25T14:59:25.0333333+00:00

Thank you. I will try this approach.
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputatiepunten Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-25T15:01:15.7+00:00

Hi @Max

Please try and let me know if it works. I really look forward for your reply.
Max 0 Reputatiepunten

2026-05-25T15:02:58.85+00:00
Hi Jayden,

I can already tell you this does not work Go to Word on Windows:

Go to File > Options > Advanced > Image Size and Quality.

Apply the image size and quality settings to the current document or to all new documents.

Click “Do not compress images in file.”

For default resolution, select “High fidelity.”

Then try exporting again.

But the editing in acrobat is what I am trying right now!
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputatiepunten Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-26T07:06:35.9733333+00:00

Hi @Max

Please try and let me know how it goes.