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I am currently using Word 365, version 2207. The document I am editing contains an SVG file, which in turn contains a <radialGradient> element. When I import this SVG file into Word, the picture is displayed correctly, as can be seen here:

SVG in Word

However, when I export the Word file to PDF, regardless on which export settings I use (such as optimize for image quality, PDF/A compliant, etc.), the gradient disappears and is replaced by a static color, as can be seen here:

SVG in PDF

My question now is, how can I export my Word document as a PDF while retaining the gradient?

Please note that this question is similar to the question Preserve SVG with gradients after PDF export from Word, but both answers to that question are specific to MacOS, which does not apply in my case, as I am running Windows.

MechMK1
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1 Answers1

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According to Microsoft, "We now print and export SVG as vectors in PDF." A user responded, "I just updated to 1708 and it works!" However, other users did not get that to work.

Some work-arounds, if updating does not help:

  • Try opening the save document in free LibreOffice Writer and save to PDF from that application. N.B. Older versions of Writer did a poor job of exporting SVG files, but hopefully, that is fixed by now.
  • Convert the vector graphics to a rasterized image, such as JPG or PNG. One way to do this is:
    • Select the image in MSWord.
    • Copy the image to clipboard with Ctrl
    • Paste the image into an editor such as free IrfanView with its Plugins package (to open SVG format).
    • Save the image in JPG (or PNG) format at your desired resolution. Unlike the word-processing programs, this gives you a choice along the file-size/image quality spectrum.

IrfanView SVG to JPG

  • Paste the saved file into Word, replacing the selected SVG.

    Of course, unlike a vector graphic, JPG and PNG rasterized images eventually degrade at large magnifications, but they can be made to look good up to a specific zoom factor.

DrMoishe Pippik
  • 37,887