I have converted thousands of Excel spreadsheets to PDF over the years — financial reports, budgets, invoices, data analysis, and project trackers. One thing I learned: converting Excel to PDF is not just about clicking "Save As." If you do it wrong, your charts become blurry, your formatting breaks, your print layout collapses, and your carefully constructed spreadsheet becomes an unreadable mess.
Excel to PDF conversion is one of the most common document tasks in business. You need to share a budget with stakeholders who do not have Excel. You need to convert an Excel file to PDF for a client. You need to turn an Excel sheet into a PDF that prints perfectly. You need to archive a spreadsheet in a format that will look the same in 10 years. Each of these requires a different approach to convert Excel to PDF.
In this guide, I will show you everything I have learned about converting Excel to PDF: the settings that matter, the pitfalls to avoid, and the workflows that produce perfect results every time. Whether you need to free convert Excel to PDF for a quick share or produce a professional report, by the end you will know how to convert any Excel file to a professional PDF that preserves every formula result, chart, and formatting detail.
Video Walkthrough Coming Soon
A complete step-by-step demo of converting Excel to PDF with perfect formatting preservation.
Why Convert Excel to PDF
Excel is powerful but not universal. PDF is the bridge that makes your spreadsheet to pdf conversion accessible to everyone.
Universal Compatibility
Not everyone has Microsoft Excel. Your client may use Google Sheets, LibreOffice, or no spreadsheet software at all. Converting your excel file to PDF ensures your document looks exactly the same on every device, operating system, and PDF reader. This is essential for business communication, client deliverables, and official submissions.
Format Preservation
Excel files can look different on different computers due to missing fonts, different screen resolutions, or varying Excel versions. PDF locks in the exact appearance: fonts, colors, spacing, borders, and alignment. What you see is what everyone gets. This consistency is critical for branded reports, financial statements, and formal documents.
Security and Tamper-Proofing
PDFs can be password-protected and restricted from editing. This prevents recipients from accidentally or intentionally modifying your data. Excel files can be edited by anyone who opens them. PDFs give you control over who can view, copy, print, or modify the document. This is essential for financial reports, contracts, and sensitive data.
Print Perfection
Excel print layouts can be unpredictable — page breaks appear in wrong places, columns split across pages, headers repeat incorrectly. PDF provides WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) printing. Every page looks exactly like the on-screen preview. This is invaluable for invoices, reports, and any document that needs to be printed professionally.
Long-Term Archiving
Excel file formats change over time (.xls to .xlsx to .xlsm). Old Excel files may not open correctly in newer versions. PDF/A is an ISO standard designed for long-term archiving. A PDF created today will open identically in 20 years. For compliance, legal records, and historical data, PDF is the archival format of choice.
Professional Presentation
PDFs look more polished and professional than Excel files. Sending a PDF report to a client or executive shows attention to detail. PDFs can include cover pages, table of contents, page numbers, and headers/footers that make documents look like published reports. Excel files look like working documents — appropriate for collaboration but not for final delivery.
I maintain two versions of every important spreadsheet: the Excel "working file" with all formulas, data connections, and macros, and the PDF "delivery file" for sharing. The Excel file lives in my project folder for future edits. The PDF goes to clients, stakeholders, and archives. This two-file system ensures I never accidentally send an editable version containing sensitive formulas or raw data. It also means I can update the Excel file and regenerate the PDF anytime without starting from scratch.
How Excel to PDF Works
Understanding the conversion process helps you troubleshoot problems and optimize output quality.
Excel to PDF conversion is not a simple file format change. Whether you convert XLS to PDF or XLSX to PDF, it is a rendering process that converts dynamic spreadsheet content into static page descriptions. Understanding how this rendering works helps you control the output.
The Rendering Process
When you convert Excel to PDF, the software: Calculates all formulas and replaces them with their current values. Rasterizes charts and graphics into images embedded in the PDF. Evaluates conditional formatting and applies the visible colors and styles. Resolves data validation and dropdowns to show only the selected values. Applies page layout settings to determine what appears on each page. The result is a static snapshot of your spreadsheet at the moment of conversion. Formulas, macros, and interactive features are lost — only their visible results remain.
What Gets Preserved
PDF conversion preserves: Cell values and calculated results (but not formulas themselves). Cell formatting: colors, borders, fonts, alignment, number formats. Charts and graphs: rendered as vector or raster images. Images and shapes: embedded in the PDF. Page layout: margins, orientation, headers, footers. Print area settings: only designated cells are included. Sheet names: shown as bookmarks or page labels in some tools. The visual appearance is preserved; the underlying functionality is not.
What Gets Lost
PDF conversion does NOT preserve: Formulas: Only the calculated values remain. Macros and VBA: Completely removed. Data connections: External data sources are severed. Interactive features: Dropdowns, buttons, slicers become static. Hidden rows and columns: May or may not appear depending on settings. Multiple worksheets: Some tools only convert the active sheet; others convert all sheets. Cell comments: May be lost or converted to annotations. Be aware of these limitations when planning your conversion.
Font Handling
Fonts are critical for appearance. If the conversion tool has access to the same fonts used in Excel, text renders perfectly. If not, it substitutes similar fonts, which can cause text wrapping issues and alignment problems. Embed fonts: Some advanced tools embed fonts in the PDF to ensure consistency. Use standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman are universally available. Avoid exotic fonts: Custom or decorative fonts may not be available on the conversion server. For maximum compatibility, stick to standard fonts in documents destined for PDF conversion.
Preserving Formatting
Excel formatting is complex. Here is how to ensure every cell looks perfect in the PDF output.
Excel formatting includes cell colors, borders, fonts, number formats, conditional formatting, merged cells, and text wrapping. Getting all of these to transfer correctly to PDF requires attention to detail.
Cell Colors and Borders
Cell background colors and border styles usually transfer accurately. However, some gradient fills may be simplified to solid colors. Thick borders and unusual border styles (double lines, dashed) may render slightly differently. For best results, use solid fills and standard border styles (thin, medium).
Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting is evaluated at conversion time. The PDF shows the colors and styles that were active when you converted. If data changes later, the PDF does not update. For dynamic reports that need to reflect changing data, consider keeping the Excel version or using a different format. For static snapshots, conditional formatting works perfectly in PDF.
Merged Cells and Text Wrapping
Merged cells generally convert well but can cause page break issues. If a merged cell spans across a page break, it may split incorrectly. Text wrapping within cells is preserved but may look different if font substitution occurs. For critical documents, verify merged cell appearance after conversion. Consider unmerging cells before conversion if they cause layout problems.
Number and Date Formats
Number formats (currency, percentages, decimals) are preserved in PDF. However, date formats may display differently depending on regional settings. If your Excel uses a specific date format (DD/MM/YYYY vs MM/DD/YYYY), verify it in the PDF. Currency symbols and decimal separators are usually preserved. For international distribution, consider using ISO date formats (YYYY-MM-DD) to avoid ambiguity.
Charts and Graphs
Charts are often the most important visual element in a spreadsheet. Here is how to ensure they look perfect in PDF.
Charts are rendered as images during PDF conversion. The quality of this rendering depends on the tool and settings used. Here is how to optimize chart output.
Chart Rendering Quality
Charts are converted to either vector graphics (ideal) or raster images (acceptable). Vector charts remain sharp at any zoom level. Raster charts can become blurry if the resolution is too low. High-quality setting: Use the highest quality setting available in your conversion tool. Vector output: Some tools (Adobe Acrobat, Excel's built-in export) produce vector charts. Raster DPI: If the tool uses raster output, 300 DPI produces print-quality charts. 150 DPI is adequate for screen viewing. Always verify chart clarity in the output PDF.
Chart Positioning and Sizing
Charts positioned over cells can cause layout issues during conversion. Anchor charts to cells: Not "move and size with cells" which can distort during conversion. Size charts appropriately: Too large and they span page breaks; too small and labels become unreadable. Check page breaks: Ensure charts do not split across pages. Legend and labels: Verify that all text is legible in the PDF. For complex dashboards, consider converting each chart separately and assembling in a PDF editor.
Colors and Transparency
Chart colors generally transfer accurately. However, transparency effects (semi-transparent fills, glow effects) may be simplified or removed. Gradient fills in chart backgrounds may be converted to solid colors. 3D chart effects may not render well in PDF. For professional reports, use clean 2D charts with solid colors. These convert most reliably and print best. Avoid chart effects that are primarily decorative — they add conversion risk without adding information.
Sparklines and Mini Charts
Sparklines (tiny in-cell charts) are rendered as small images. They can become blurry or illegible if the resolution is low. For PDF output, consider replacing sparklines with regular charts if they are critical to the document. Alternatively, increase the row height containing sparklines so they render larger and clearer. Sparklines are great for Excel dashboards but may not be the best choice for PDF reports where detail matters.
Print Layout and Page Setup
Page setup is the most common source of Excel to PDF problems. Here is how to get it right.
Excel's page setup controls how your spreadsheet divides into pages. Get this wrong, and your PDF will have split tables, orphaned headers, and broken charts. Here is the complete guide to page setup for PDF conversion.
Print Area
Define the print area to include only the cells you want in the PDF. Select the range you want. Go to Page Layout > Print Area > Set Print Area. Only the designated cells will appear in the PDF. This prevents empty cells, hidden data, and stray formatting from appearing in the output. For multi-sheet workbooks, set a print area for each sheet. Without a defined print area, Excel may include thousands of empty cells, creating a bloated PDF with blank pages.
Page Orientation and Size
Choose orientation based on content: Portrait: Best for tall data (lists, reports with many rows). Landscape: Best for wide data (financial models, wide tables, dashboards). Standard page sizes: A4 (most common internationally), Letter (US standard), A3 (for large spreadsheets). For very wide spreadsheets, consider Legal size (8.5" x 14") or A3. Check "Fit to" options to scale content to a specific number of pages. Be careful with scaling — too much reduction makes text unreadable.
Margins and Scaling
Margins affect how much content fits on each page. Standard margins: Normal (1" top/bottom, 0.75" left/right), Wide (1" all around), Narrow (0.25" all around). For content-heavy spreadsheets, use narrow margins to fit more data. Scaling options: Fit to 1 page wide: Forces all columns onto one page. Fit to 1 page tall: Forces all rows onto one page. Fit to 1x1 pages: The entire spreadsheet on a single page (may be tiny). Custom percentage: Scale to a specific percentage of original size. Test scaling to ensure text remains readable.
Headers, Footers, and Page Numbers
Add professional headers and footers: Page numbers: "Page 1 of 5" format. File name: Automatic insertion of workbook name. Sheet name: Identifies which sheet in multi-sheet workbooks. Date and time: Shows when the PDF was generated. Logo: Company branding in the header. Set headers/footers in Page Layout > Page Setup > Header/Footer. For multi-sheet PDFs, ensure each sheet has appropriate headers. These small details make PDFs look professional and organized.
The most common Excel to PDF error is forgetting to set the print area. Without a print area, Excel converts the entire worksheet — including thousands of empty cells beyond your data. This creates a PDF with blank pages, bloated file size, and confused recipients. Always set a print area before converting. Also, check "Print Preview" in Excel before converting — it shows exactly how the PDF will look. If the preview looks wrong, the PDF will look wrong. Fix layout issues in Excel before conversion, not after.
Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
Convert Excel to PDF perfectly with this exact workflow I use for every spreadsheet to PDF conversion.
Prepare Your Spreadsheet
Before converting, clean up your spreadsheet: Remove hidden data: Unhide all rows and columns, then delete any you do not need. Check for errors: Fix #DIV/0!, #N/A, and #VALUE! errors. Freeze panes: Remove freeze panes — they do not affect PDF but may confuse you during preview. Verify formulas: Ensure all calculations are correct. Check conditional formatting: Make sure rules are producing the intended colors. Update links: Break external links if the PDF will be viewed on computers without access to source data.
Set Up Page Layout
Configure page settings for optimal PDF output: Set print area: Page Layout > Print Area > Set Print Area. Choose orientation: Page Layout > Orientation > Portrait or Landscape. Adjust margins: Page Layout > Margins > select or customize. Add headers/footers: Page Layout > Header/Footer > customize. Configure scaling: Page Layout > Scale to Fit > set width/height to number of pages. Preview: Press Ctrl+F2 (or File > Print) to see how it will look. Adjust until the preview is perfect.
Convert Using Excel Built-In
The easiest method is Excel's built-in PDF export: File > Save As > Browse. Choose "PDF" from the Save as type dropdown. Options: Click "Options" for advanced settings. Select "Active sheet" or "Entire workbook." Choose "Standard (publishing online and printing)" or "Minimum size (publishing online)." Check "Open file after publishing" to verify immediately. Click OK, then Save. Excel's built-in converter produces high-quality PDFs with vector charts and embedded fonts. This is my preferred method for Excel files I have open.
Convert Using Online Tools
For Excel files you cannot open (wrong version, no Excel installed), use online converters: Upload your .xlsx or .xls file to the AFFLIGO Excel to PDF converter — an excel to pdf free online tool. The tool processes the file on secure servers. Choose your preferred page settings if options are available. Download the PDF. Verify the output: check formatting, charts, page breaks, and data accuracy. Online tools are ideal for: users without Excel, batch conversions, and quick conversions on mobile devices. They handle most Excel features but may not support very complex macros or advanced chart types. If you need to go the other direction, try our Excel to Word tool.
Online vs Desktop Conversion
Choose the right conversion method for your specific needs, file type, and security requirements.
Excel Built-In Export
Best for: Excel users with the file open. Highest quality output. Vector charts. Perfect font matching. Full page setup control. Supports all Excel features. Free (included with Excel). Limitations: Requires Microsoft Excel. Not available on Mac (limited features). Cannot batch process multiple files easily.
Online Converters
Best for: Users without Excel, mobile devices, quick conversions. No installation. Works on any device. Batch processing. Free for basic use. Limitations: Requires internet. File size limits. Privacy concerns for sensitive data. May not support advanced features. Font substitution possible. Chart quality varies.
LibreOffice / OpenOffice
Best for: Free desktop alternative to Excel. Open source. Cross-platform. Good compatibility. Limitations: Some Excel features not supported. Complex charts may render differently. Macros do not work. Conditional formatting may be simplified. Font availability depends on your system.
Google Sheets Export
Best for: Google Workspace users. Cloud-based. Collaboration features. Simple export to PDF. Limitations: Requires uploading to Google Drive. Complex Excel features may not import correctly. Some formulas unsupported. Charts may look different. Privacy: Google processes your data.
Real-World Use Cases
Excel to PDF conversion solves real problems across every industry and department.
Financial Reports
Monthly P&L statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports. Finance teams convert Excel models to PDF for board presentations, investor updates, and regulatory filings. The PDF locks in the numbers, preventing accidental edits. Charts and KPIs are preserved for executive dashboards. Print layout ensures reports fit standard page sizes.
Invoices and Quotes
Excel invoice templates are converted to PDF for customer delivery. PDFs cannot be edited by customers, preventing accidental or intentional changes. The format looks professional and consistent across all customers. Page setup ensures invoices print perfectly on standard paper. Digital signatures can be added to PDF invoices for legal validity.
Data Analysis and Research
Researchers convert statistical analysis spreadsheets to PDF for publication and peer review. PDF preserves the exact formatting required by academic journals. Charts and graphs are embedded at high resolution. Formulas are removed, showing only the final results. This prevents reviewers from seeing the underlying data manipulation.
Project Management
Gantt charts, project trackers, and resource allocation spreadsheets are converted to PDF for stakeholder distribution. The PDF version is a snapshot that does not change as the project evolves. Team members can reference the baseline PDF while the Excel version is updated. Status reports are distributed as PDFs to prevent unauthorized modifications.
HR and Payroll
Employee rosters, salary summaries, attendance reports, and benefits summaries are converted to PDF for HR records. PDFs provide a tamper-proof format for sensitive employee data. Payroll summaries are distributed as PDFs to employees. Compliance reports are archived as PDF/A for long-term retention. Access controls and passwords protect confidential information.
Inventory and Operations
Stock lists, BOMs (bills of materials), supply chain trackers, and logistics schedules are converted to PDF for warehouse and operations teams. PDFs are printed and posted in work areas. Digital PDFs are viewed on tablets and mobile devices. The format is consistent across all locations, ensuring everyone sees the same data.
Advanced Techniques
Professional techniques for complex Excel to PDF conversions and specialized requirements.
Batch Conversion with VBA
For converting multiple Excel files to PDF, use Excel VBA: ActiveSheet.ExportAsFixedFormat Type:=xlTypePDF, Filename:="C:\\Report.pdf". This macro exports the active sheet as PDF. Loop through all files in a folder to batch process. Set page setup properties programmatically. Specify output folder and naming convention. This is ideal for recurring reports that follow the same format. Save the macro-enabled workbook and run it monthly to generate PDFs automatically.
Multi-Sheet Workbook Conversion
When converting workbooks with multiple sheets: Individual PDFs per sheet: Export each sheet separately, named by sheet name. Combined PDF: Some tools merge all sheets into one PDF with bookmarks. Selected sheets only: Export only the sheets you need. Sheet order: Arrange sheets in the desired order before converting. In Excel's PDF export, check "Entire workbook" to include all sheets, or export sheets individually. For very large workbooks (50+ sheets), consider converting only summary sheets to keep the PDF manageable.
Password Protection and Restrictions
After converting to PDF, add security: Password to open: Prevents unauthorized viewing. Password to edit: Allows viewing but blocks modifications. Restrict printing: Prevents physical copies. Restrict copying: Blocks text and image extraction. Digital signature: Certifies the document authenticity. Use the AFFLIGO Protect PDF tool after conversion. For financial reports and confidential data, password protection is essential. Share passwords separately from the PDF file.
PDF/A for Archiving
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF designed for long-term archiving. Excel files converted to PDF/A: Embed all fonts: Ensures text renders correctly in the future. Exclude audio/video: Not allowed in PDF/A. Color management: Includes color profiles for accurate reproduction. Self-contained: No external dependencies. PDF/A-1b is the most compatible level. PDF/A-2b supports transparency and layers. PDF/A-3b allows embedded files. For compliance archiving, use PDF/A-1b. For maximum feature preservation, use PDF/A-2b.
Troubleshooting
Common Excel to PDF conversion problems and their exact solutions.
PDF Has Blank Pages or Extra Pages
Cause: Print area not set, or includes empty cells. Fix: Set print area to only include data cells. Check for formatting applied to empty cells (colored cells, borders). Clear formatting from unused cells. Delete empty rows and columns beyond your data. Use "Print Preview" to identify where extra pages come from.
Columns Are Cut Off or Too Small
Cause: Page width too narrow for content. Fix: Switch to Landscape orientation. Reduce margins (Page Layout > Margins > Narrow). Use "Fit to" scaling to fit all columns on one page. Widen columns or reduce font size. Split very wide tables across multiple pages. Consider Legal or A3 paper size for extra-wide content.
Charts Are Blurry or Low Quality
Cause: Chart rendered at low resolution. Fix: Use Excel's built-in export (higher quality than most online tools). Set "Standard (publishing online and printing)" quality. For online tools, choose the highest quality option. Increase chart size before converting. For critical charts, copy them as images and insert high-resolution versions.
Fonts Look Different in PDF
Cause: Font substitution — the PDF viewer or converter does not have the original font. Fix: Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Embed fonts if the tool supports it. Convert text to images for perfect rendering (not editable). Check "Print Preview" in Excel to see if fonts look correct before converting. Install missing fonts on the conversion computer.
Best Practices
Follow these proven practices for perfect Excel to PDF conversions every time.
Always Use Print Preview
Excel's Print Preview (Ctrl+F2) shows exactly how the PDF will look. Check every page. Verify page breaks, headers, footers, and scaling. Fix layout issues before converting, not after. This single step prevents 90% of conversion problems. Spend 30 seconds in Print Preview to save 30 minutes fixing a bad PDF.
Set Print Area Religiously
Never convert without setting a print area. Without it, Excel includes empty cells, hidden data, and stray formatting. The result is bloated PDFs with blank pages. Set the print area to only the cells you want to share. This is the #1 rule for clean PDF output.
Keep the Excel Source File
Always retain the original Excel file. The PDF is a snapshot; the Excel is the living document. You cannot recover formulas, macros, or data connections from a PDF. Store both: Excel in a working folder, PDF in a distribution folder. Name them consistently: "Report.xlsx" and "Report.pdf".
Test on the Recipient's Setup
PDFs can look different on different devices. Test on: a different computer, a mobile device, a printer, and a different PDF reader. What looks perfect on your screen may have issues elsewhere. For critical documents, send a test copy to a colleague for verification. Check chart clarity, text size, and color accuracy on multiple devices.
Tool Comparison
Compare Excel to PDF conversion tools to find the right one for your workflow.
Excel Built-In Export
Highest quality. Vector charts. Perfect font matching. Full page setup control. Free with Excel. Best for: Excel users, professional reports, print-quality output. Limitations: Requires Excel installation. Windows-only for full features.
Affligo Excel to PDF
Free, web-based. Convert XLS to PDF and XLSX to PDF. No installation. Fast processing. Good quality. Best for: quick conversions, users without Excel, mobile devices, batch processing. Limitations: Requires internet. File size limits.
Adobe Acrobat
Can create PDFs from Excel with advanced options. PDF/A support. Batch processing. Best for: enterprises, compliance archiving, advanced security needs. Limitations: Expensive subscription. Overkill for simple conversions.
Google Sheets
Import Excel, export as PDF. Free. Cloud-based. Collaboration features. Best for: Google Workspace users, simple spreadsheets, team collaboration. Limitations: Complex Excel features may not import. Requires upload to Google Drive. Privacy concerns for sensitive data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Excel to PDF conversion, answered from experience.
Can I convert Excel to PDF for free?
Yes. You can free convert Excel to PDF using Excel's built-in export if you have Excel. Online converters like AFFLIGO offer free Excel to PDF conversion. LibreOffice and Google Sheets also provide free PDF export. For occasional use, free tools are sufficient.
Will formulas be preserved in the PDF?
No. PDFs are static documents. Only the calculated values from formulas are preserved; the formulas themselves are not included. The recipient cannot see or edit the formulas. If you need to share formulas, keep the Excel file or use a shared workbook service like Excel Online or Google Sheets.
Can I convert Excel to PDF without Excel?
Yes. Online converters (AFFLIGO, Zamzar, CloudConvert) can convert Excel files without Microsoft Excel installed. LibreOffice Calc can open Excel files and export to PDF. Google Sheets can import Excel and export as PDF. These alternatives work well for most spreadsheets, though very complex files may lose some features.
Why is my PDF file larger than the Excel file?
Charts and images are embedded as high-resolution images in PDF, which can be larger than the Excel source. Multiple sheets increase file size. Embedded fonts add size. To reduce PDF size, compress images in Excel before converting, use the "Minimum size" option, or run the PDF through a compressor after conversion.
Can I convert multiple Excel sheets to one PDF?
Yes. In Excel, choose "Entire workbook" in the PDF export options. Each excel sheet becomes a page in the PDF. Some tools add bookmarks for each sheet. Alternatively, export each sheet as a separate PDF and merge them using a PDF merge tool.
How do I convert Excel to PDF on Mac?
Excel for Mac has PDF export in File > Export > Create PDF. Preview app can also open Excel files (basic support). Online converters work on Mac through Safari. LibreOffice and Google Sheets are cross-platform options. The process is similar to Windows but with fewer advanced options in Excel for Mac.
Can I edit the PDF after converting from Excel?
PDFs are not designed for editing. For documents that need ongoing editing, keep the Excel source file and re-convert when needed. If you must edit the PDF, consider using our Excel to Word tool first or converting PDF to Word (with formatting loss expected).
Will my Excel macros work in PDF?
No. Macros and VBA code are completely removed during PDF conversion. PDFs are static documents with no executable content. If you need to share interactive functionality, keep the Excel file or use a different format. For security reasons, PDFs intentionally cannot contain executable code like macros.
Quick Reference Card
Bookmark this section. Essential Excel to PDF settings and shortcuts in one place.
Excel Export Shortcut
File > Save As > PDF
Shortcut: F12, then choose PDF
Options: Active sheet or Entire workbook
Quality: Standard or Minimum size
After saving: Open file to verify
Page Setup Checklist
Print area: Set
Orientation: Portrait/Landscape
Margins: Normal/Narrow/Wide
Scaling: Fit to X pages
Headers/Footers: Added
Preview: Verified
Quality Settings
Standard: Best quality, larger file
Minimum: Smaller file, online use
DPI for charts: 300 for print
Font embedding: Yes
PDF/A: For archiving
Common Issues Fix
Blank pages: Set print area
Cut-off columns: Landscape or fit to width
Blurry charts: Use Excel export
Wrong fonts: Use standard fonts
Extra pages: Clear empty cell formatting