[Bug] Export to pdf on Preview (Monterey)

I have the same issue Print… > PDF > Save As PDF functionality is greyed out. I need to redact bank statements to file with the Court for some clients. I could not figure out how to make this work in Monterey on my new MacBook Air M1; worked previously on Big Sur with my old MacBook Air.

--> Found a work around, I placed pdf in Dropbox, then printed to pdf from the web browser Dropbox program on Firefox and saved to my computer; it stripped the security so that I can redact as I did previously.

I hope that they bring this functionality back. I reported it as a bug.

You cannot save a secure document: Option key + Save As, or Print… > PDF > Save As PDF

This option is greyed out in Monterey. Apple removed this functionality. Now I have no reason to use Preview.

The only way I can strip the security is by uploading to the web version on dropbox and printing as a pdf from there using Adobe Acrobat or Preview

I've done a test, print as PDF, export as pdf will grey out if you are attempting it on an encrypted pdf document. With the owner's permission (password), you should be able to print or edit or export certain pages and mix and match. Therefore i think it's not a bug, it's just a copyright feature enforced by apple.

@qburke, as a fellow contract person, I wanted to reply to you directly.

Okay, so my quick fix for this dumb crap was... right click PDF, open in Safari, File > Export as PDF...

WORKAROUND: right click the pdf > open in safari > file print > save as PDF

Thanks for the fix!

Logging out and back in sufficed for me: no restart needed – saves time if you need to do it again.

Yes, someone suggested to print file but then print to pdf. This works like a charm.

My solution: I opened it in Safari, Print and finally Safe as PDF was available (very unelegant procedure, shame on you Apple ;-)

If someone sends me a bank statement, sometimes the are "secure" documents. In order to redact some information, the security needs to be stripped off/removed first. I work with multiple accounts, so I do not have time to store everyones' ever changing passwords. I previously, in earlier OS versions, would open it with preview and either "export to pdf" or "print; pdf." This functionality no longer works, as the commands are greyed out. The only work around I have found is to upload the document to dropbox, open it on the web browser (I use Firefox), then print to pdf from the browser. I also need this functionality to "print to pdf "only select pages I need. There are other reasons for this functionality, but Apple removed it, I think on purpose "for security reasons." It is ridiculous since it is still available on earlier OS, and on some windows. Just tripping up workflow on my new M1 Mac.

I am having the same issue.. with external monitor even Export function does not respond where as when you remove the external monitor or do it on main laptop screen, the option works..

Okay, so my quick fix for this dumb crap was... right click PDF, open in Safari, File > Export as PDF...

--> Found a work around, I placed pdf in Dropbox, then printed to pdf from the web browser Dropbox program on Firefox and saved to my computer; it stripped the security so that I can redact as I did previously.

There is a way to save it. Here's how:

• Right-click (or hold down Control and then click) the PDF and you will see this:

• Now, hover your cursor on 'Share' and you will see this:

• Click on 'Notes' and you will see this:

• Now it will be saved to the note you selected.

Thank you, but way too much time and trouble for the amount of docs I need to work with daily. Until Apple fixes this, I now open with Google Chrome, save as PDF and done. Hope that works for someone else.