Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Word 2013 PDF - The export failed due to an unexpected error

Troubleshooting error exporting Word 2013 PDF due to unexpected error.

Quick Answer: Check for complex diagrams or artwork that may be causing the issue and try printing a range of pages to identify problematic content.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. 💡 Conclusion

Word 2013 is experiencing an error when trying to export documents as PDF, resulting in a generic 'unexpected error' message. This issue affects users who are attempting to save their Word documents in PDF format, which can be frustrating and hinder productivity.

Troubleshooting this error requires a step-by-step approach, starting with examining the document's content and conversion options. By identifying the root cause of the problem, you can apply the necessary fixes to resolve the issue and successfully export your Word documents as PDF.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is the inability of the PDF parser to handle complex graphics and artwork created using Word Drawing Art. This feature may be incompatible with the PDF format, leading to an unexpected error when attempting to export the document.
  • An alternative cause for this issue could be a corrupted or outdated Office 2013 installation, which may need to be updated to the latest Service Pack (SP1) version.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Using Compatibility Mode and Simplifying Complex Graphics

  1. Step 1: Open the affected Word document in Compatibility Mode by going to File > Save As, selecting 'Word Document' as the file type, and then choosing 'Compatibility' from the dropdown menu. This will enable compatibility with older versions of Office.
  2. Step 2: Locate and simplify any complex graphics or artwork created using Word Drawing Art, such as removing unnecessary lines or shapes. This may help resolve the issue and allow for successful PDF export.
  3. Step 3: Save a copy of the simplified document to ensure that you can revert back if necessary.

Updating Office 2013 to SP1

  1. Step 1: Ensure that your Office 2013 installation is up-to-date by going to File > Account, selecting 'Update Options,' and clicking 'Check for Updates.'
  2. Step 2: If an update is available, install it according to the prompts. This may resolve any compatibility issues with PDF export.
  3. Step 3: Verify that the issue has been resolved after updating Office 2013.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps and troubleshooting methods, you should be able to resolve the error when trying to export Word documents as PDF. Remember to simplify complex graphics and artwork, and ensure that your Office 2013 installation is up-to-date with the latest Service Pack (SP1) version.

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