Hello, I'm a teacher and I have long PDFs with many chapters of content. I've always been able to open a PDF in Preview, click print, select a range of pages, then Save as PDF to create a new version with individual chapters. Now in Big Sur, when I click on "Save as PDF" the option to save as PDF is greyed out. I also cannot delete pages from my PDF. What do I do?
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
The only thing different between your print panel and mine is that the panel is being presented to you by your HP OfficeJet 250 printer driver, and I have no HP printers here. If the driver for that printer is out of date for Big Sur, that may be part or all of your issue. Your particular printer is supported by Apple's AirPrint which is built into the operating system, so you don't need to visit HP for drivers.
If you are not already using AirPrint to support this printer, first ensure that the printer is powered on and networked either wired, or wireless. Then visit System Preferences : Printers & Scanners panel and right-click on the image of your OfficeJet printer. Choose Reset Print System… and it will remove, and then present a dialog to re-add your printer. Instead of formal HP drivers, choose AirPrint instead, and re-add the device. Right-click on the printer icon again, and make it the default printer. Print something to ensure it is working. Then repeat your Preview exercise to see if the PDF : Save as PDF sub-menu is now active.
As an annoying workaround, you could also choose Save as Postscript, and once that document is saved (.ps), you double-click it in the Finder to have Preview automatically convert it into a PDF and open it — which you then save separately.
The only thing different between your print panel and mine is that the panel is being presented to you by your HP OfficeJet 250 printer driver, and I have no HP printers here. If the driver for that printer is out of date for Big Sur, that may be part or all of your issue. Your particular printer is supported by Apple's AirPrint which is built into the operating system, so you don't need to visit HP for drivers.
If you are not already using AirPrint to support this printer, first ensure that the printer is powered on and networked either wired, or wireless. Then visit System Preferences : Printers & Scanners panel and right-click on the image of your OfficeJet printer. Choose Reset Print System… and it will remove, and then present a dialog to re-add your printer. Instead of formal HP drivers, choose AirPrint instead, and re-add the device. Right-click on the printer icon again, and make it the default printer. Print something to ensure it is working. Then repeat your Preview exercise to see if the PDF : Save as PDF sub-menu is now active.
As an annoying workaround, you could also choose Save as Postscript, and once that document is saved (.ps), you double-click it in the Finder to have Preview automatically convert it into a PDF and open it — which you then save separately.
dwwood3 wrote:
Hello, I'm a teacher and I have long PDFs with many chapters of content. I've always been able to open a PDF in Preview, click print, select a range of pages, then Save as PDF to create a new version with individual chapters. Now in Big Sur, when I click on "Save as PDF" the option to save as PDF is greyed out. I also cannot delete pages from my PDF. What do I do?
Duplicate it for one. In this way you have a copy.
Try a true pdf editor for an improved user experience.
to name just a few:
I wound up using PDF Viewer, but it doesn't explain why I can't use Preview to do this anymore. Is this something Apple has actually blocked? Or do I just have to change a setting somewhere to be able to use Preview this way again?
I am on Big Sur 11.0.1 using an M1 Mac mini. I just opened a four-page PDF, selected Print… and changed my print range from Pages All, to From 3 to 4, and made no other changes to the print panel. Then I selected PDF : Save as PDF, and saved to a new PDF document. That result matched pages 3 and 4 of the original.
This appears to be working for me… and I have no idea why it is not working for you. Clearly Apple has not gamed this feature in Preview, or I would have met the same obstacle as you.
Having the same issue. This is TERRIBLE. Apple really screwed things up with this update.
This is what I'm seeing for all my PDFs, the "Save as PDF" is greyed out. If you can do it, then I must have some setting off? I just can't figure out what it is...
This is not helpful.
Any update on this? I use this Save as PDF feature daily for work. About to call Apple.
have you tried to copy something out of the pdf while in preview? it won't allow me to do that without a password. and when I enter my password it says its incorrect
Can't edit pdf in preview in Big Sur
