[Bug] Export to pdf on Preview (Monterey)

I also have this issue. So if I open a PDF that I have saved to my computer and add text, on big sur I would then click "file" and "export as PDF" so I can send it to someone and the text I added is not able to be edited. If I simply "saved" the document after adding text, the user I send the document to would be able to edit my text.

This worked perfect on big sur. However, since the update to Monterey, the "Export as PDF" option is greyed out (i'm not able to click on it). Please fix this.

I agree with mikekillthedog and have the same issue. This is a bug and NOT a "feature that was removed" for Preview in Monterey. I used this feature "Export to PDF" in Big Sur before all the time as a way to encrypt any PDF in Preview with a password. I hope Apple will fix this bug and restore this feature soon.

And yes I understand I can go the "Save As --> Permissions" route in Monterey to set password for the PDF, but the "Export to PDF" of Big Sur was much more convenient and faster.

I have the same problem. "export as PDF..." is greyed out and the "export..." option opens no window.

Not only that, chrome is acting wired too and doesn't download PDF's. I'm thinking getting back to Big Sur.

Monterey upgrades are not that good anyway

Previously exporting or saving a PDF also flattened the annotations. It no longer appears to do this by default.

Can anyone confirm whether it's still possible to flatten annotations into the PDF given any of the export options?

[edit]

After further experimentation, it appears that even documents created by Big Sur are now editable. So maybe the annotation metadata had already previously been included but was not immediately editable in Big Sur. Now Monterey allows you to edit annotations made in previous versions of macOS.

I found out my problem. I'm using an external monitor on my M1 macbook air. Apparently there's a bug with the usb c hubs. If I unplug the monitor, works like a charm. I will be downgrading to BigSur until this is fixed.

Unfortunately, this solution does not provide the same functionality. "Export to PDF..." could "flatten" the PDF, so that things like form fields and signatures were no longer active. This makes the PDF suitable for upload to a number of platforms, especially for courts and government sites, that will reject PDFs with security features or XFA elements. The "Print as a PDF" function preserves those PDF elements, which isn't what I need for my work.

I am very disappointed in the change of functionality, and I hope Apple fixes this bug soon!

For those who need to flatten, I found a workaround: you can open the pdf in a web browser (I use Chrome or Brave) and then print as a PDF from there. The resulting PDF will be suitable for upload to sites that do not accept XFA or fillable PDFs.

With Monterey, I now find myself using Preview less and less.

I have found a solution. If you have a PDF (editable) than you can go to print and on the downside of the pop up where you choose one of the available printers you can click on the drop down PDF and then press save as pdf in the context.

You will get a readable only pdf without getting the opportunity to change anything in it.

I'm having the same problem. Very irritating. Even the option to go to Print, 'print as PDF' is now not working.

Though it seems going back to Big Sur is complicated (I'm not computer savvy).

I sent Feedback and will do so again.

I am surprised how can new OS has such a bug.. testing team needs to be fired!.. you can not put all the user who update the OS early to such sufferings.

even other office suite also have the highly delayed reaction to the save as function one the extended monitor.

Unfortunately that also is now disabled..it had been my workaround before. The save as PDF in the drop down print menu is grayed out.

Ive had to return to the archaic method of printing, signing, scanning ..ugh!

I have the same issue as well.

In Preview, I used to be able to Print to PDF or Save as PDF. I normally use this option to save/print a password protected PDF to the same PDF format to remove the password.

After I upgraded to Monterey, this function is greyed out. Steps to replicate:

1. Double click on a PDF to open it using Preview

2. menu: File-> Export as PDF is greyed out

3. Cmd-P (print) -> PDF -> save as PDF is greyed out

4. If I hold down Option-> Save as PDF, it saves the PDF but the password protection is still there.

Super annoying that a feature that has been working for years, now no longer works!!

I use the Export to PDF on Big Sur just like everyone else. I use it multiple times a day. Upgrade to Monterey and this is disabled. Someone was disable when they created Monterey. WHY??? PLESAE FIX IT!!!!! WE NEED IT. The option and save as does not operate the same way. I can still edit my texts and boxes that cover a change. The only way for me to get the same result is to print and scan waste of paper and time. Please enable the Export to PDF in Monterey! Thank you in advance.

Personal solution for save/export to PDF in Preview:

I normally run my MacBookPro (16 inch, 2019) with two external screens (Lenovo and Samsung). Yesterday I upgraded to Monterey. Same problem with everyone else re not being able to save/export to PDF with Preview. Unplugged the external monitors, rebooted, and now I'm able to use Preview export/save as PDF

Thanks, HERE IS THE FIX I FOUND TODAY. following your lead.

I removed the external monitor and restarted my mac. Re-Attached external monitor and in the display setting, made my external monitor the main monitor. Export function started working.. incidentally, it allowed export function on my MacBook as well.

Hope this helps all who are struggling with this issue..

I have the same issue and use this feature literally all the time to mark exhibits. I hope they fix it as it's not helpful at all at this point.

My work around is to do Fild>Print>click on PDF drop down>Save as PDF.

It worked on the annotation I made on my PDF in preview but it's a pain as it's several more steps.

I'm on a MacBook Air for reference, running Monterey 12.0.1.