Kerning issue with Powerpoint PDF export

Question

Kerning issue with Powerpoint PDF export

Renan de Araujo 5

When exporting a Powerpoint presentation to PDF, we're having issues with the fonts kerning.
The font is Roboto, TrueType.
This only happens in the electronic version of the export; print version is fine.
The problem is that we need the electronic version since it keeps link function in images and shapes.
We've tried exporting from macOS, Windows and online.

The image attached shows both pdf files, electronic on the left and print on the right.
The kerning issue is easily noticeable in "combining dynamic", "translated", "accessible", "leader" and "countries"

kerning_issue

0 comments

4 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

The kerning difference between the “electronic distribution and accessibility” PDF and the “print” PDF comes from how the electronic export path processes fonts, especially on macOS, and how specific fonts/versions behave in that pipeline.

The electronic option:

Uses a Microsoft online service to create a tagged, accessible PDF and to preserve hyperlinks on objects.
Handles font embedding and layout differently from the local print export, which can expose issues with certain fonts (older formats, multiple versions, or very large font sets) and result in altered kerning or substituted fonts.

To mitigate the problem while keeping an electronic PDF:

Check and update the fonts
- On macOS, verify the installed font versions. If multiple versions of the same font exist, ensure the newest one is active.
- If the font type shows as “PostScript-Type1”, replace or upgrade it to a modern OpenType version. Older Type 1 fonts and duplicate fonts are known to cause garbled text, substitutions, and other display issues in Office for macOS.
- Test with a different OpenType font in the same slide. If the kerning issue disappears in the electronic PDF, the problem is specific to the original font and the online conversion service.
Manually tune spacing/kerning in PowerPoint
- Windows:
  1. Select the affected text.
  2. Go to Home → Font dialog launcher.
  3. Open the Character Spacing tab.
  4. Adjust Spacing (Expanded/Condensed) and, if needed, the Kerning for fonts settings to compensate for the difference seen in the electronic PDF.
- macOS:
  1. Select the text.
  2. Choose Format → Font → Character Spacing.
  3. Set Spacing to Expanded or Condensed and tweak the By value (start with 0.1–0.2 pt) and Kerning for fonts until the exported electronic PDF visually matches the print PDF.
Choose export path based on priority
- For exact typography (kerning) above all else, use the print‑optimized PDF export, which does not use the online service and therefore avoids this kerning behavior.
- When clickable links on objects are required, PowerPoint for macOS preserves them only with Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (uses Microsoft online service). In that case:
  - Prefer modern OpenType fonts that behave correctly with the electronic export, or
  - Provide two files: a print PDF for precise layout and an electronic PDF for interactivity.

If, after switching to a modern OpenType font and removing duplicate/Type 1 versions, the issue only affects that specific font in the electronic export, it indicates a font‑specific compatibility problem with the online conversion service. Using a different OpenType font is the recommended workaround.

References:

Answer 2

Renan de Araujo 5

Ok, now we have to answer the AI, like I didn't try that before.

It doesn't seem to be a problem with the font, it works in Powerpoint and print export.
Manually adjusting kernel is an absurd suggestion given that the problem doesn't exist in the Powerpoint presentation nor the print version
This basically misses the whole point of the question...

The question is fairly simple. How do I get correct kerning in both versions?
What is the precise cause of the inconsistency?
It seems to be a bug not a user problem.

0 comments

Answer 3

Anonymous

Hi @Renan de Araujo

I have tried to replicate your scenario on my end using PowerPoint for Mac version 16.108.3, however the behavior you described does not appear in my testing environment.

For reference,the font used is Roboto Variable, as shown below.

The kerning setting for the font is set to apply for sizes 12 points and above.

To better understand your situation, may I confirm whether your configuration differs from mine in any way?

In addition, aside from the Roboto font, could you please check if this behavior also occurs when using other fonts?

You also mentioned that "We've tried exporting from macOS, Windows and online", may I confirm whether the same behavior is observed consistently across all these platforms?

If I’ve misunderstood any part of your situation, or if you have further questions or updates, please don’t hesitate to reply.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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.

Renan de Araujo 5 Reputation points

2026-05-08T13:57:23.3+00:00

Thank you for the reply.

I just tried the same settings as you and the issue persists.
I've done a test with Arial and the same issue happens.
I also created a new file from scratch with the same issue using Arial.

Powerpoint Version 16.108.3 (26050324)
macOS Version 15.7.4 (24G517)

Same behavior in macOS, Windows and Online.
Anonymous

2026-05-08T14:54:06.08+00:00

Hi @Renan de Araujo
Thank you for your confirmation.

I have tried to replicate your scenario on my end by creating a new PowerPoint file using Arial on a Windows device, and the behavior did not appear in my testing environment.

To better understand your situation, may I ask if you are using any third-party PDF viewer application on both Mac and Windows?
Renan de Araujo 5 Reputation points

2026-05-08T16:06:46.4533333+00:00

Using Preview from macOS and Adobe Acrobat same result.

By the way, I was able to save a correct electronic version by using the Acrobat menu from Powerpoint
Anonymous

2026-05-11T11:40:53.55+00:00

Hi @Renan de Araujo
Thank you for sharing that using the Acrobat menu from PowerPoint worked as a workaround. I truly appreciate you taking the time to confirm this.

At the moment, I was not able to find any additional documentation that addresses this behavior. Since I was also unable to reproduce it on my end, I would recommend reaching out to your organization’s IT admin so they can connect directly with Microsoft Support, as the support team has access to internal resources and deeper insights that may help clarify this further.

Your IT admin can reach Microsoft Support through the following options:

1/ Contact Microsoft Support via Phone   Your Global Admin can find the appropriate customer service phone numbers here: Customer service phone numbers - Microsoft Support

Please note: An AI system may initially handle the call. Kindly follow the prompts carefully to be connected to a human support agent.

2/ Ask your organization’s admin to raise a ticket

Your Global Admin can submit a support request through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.   For step-by-step guidance, please refer to: Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

I hope this helps provide further direction, and thank you again for your patience and understanding.

Answer 4

John Korchok 236K Volunteer Moderator

"Best for electronic distribution" uses a Microsoft server with a limited handling of fonts. Try changing the font to Arial, Calibri or Aptos for more consistent font rendering. Or use Adobe Acrobat to create PDFs that both render the fonts correctly and retain the hyperlinks.

Renan de Araujo 5 Reputation points

2026-05-09T14:53:45.2433333+00:00

The issue happens with Arial as well. I managed to solve it with the Acrobat menu, but I still wonder why it happens so consistently.