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iA Writer PDF Export Formatting Wrong

Workaround available Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

iA Writer's PDF uses whatever template is selected in Preview, and page setup, headers and footers live in template settings. Changing the template and page size fixes most 'PDF looks wrong' complaints.

Most likely fix: Pick the template in Preview first.

Symptoms

Exported PDF has the wrong font, margins, paper size, missing title page or headers/footers, or differs from what you expected.

Why it happens

  • Wrong template selected in Preview
  • Paper size left at default (A4 vs Letter)
  • Title page/headers/footers not enabled in template settings
  • Word (.docx) export used where formatting is expected to carry over

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Pick the template in Preview first

    1. Open Preview and switch template from the Preview toolbar
    2. Export only once Preview looks right — PDF matches it

  2. 2. Set paper size

    1. Mac: File > Page Setup… and choose A4, Letter or Legal
    2. Windows: choose A4 or Letter in the PDF export dialog

  3. 3. Enable title page, headers and footers

    1. Mac: Settings > Templates > Printing & PDF Export
    2. Windows: File > Settings > Templates
    3. iPhone/iPad: Configure Templates

  4. 4. Adjust Word exports in Word

    1. DOCX export carries structure, not styling — set fonts and sizes in Word after export
    2. Underline is not supported in Markdown and won't export

This guide also covers

  • ia writer export pdf
  • ia writer pdf template
  • ia writer print
  • ia writer export word

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