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Print a diagram to a PDF file

On rare occasions, huge diagrams may cause a timeout on the PDF generation servers, which might return a blank or corrupt PDF. If the built-in PDF generation via File > Export has problems, you can print your diagram to a PDF file.

  1. In the draw.io menu, select File > Print to display the Print dialog.
    Open the print dialog in draw.io to print to a PDF file
  2. Click Print.
    Print to a PDF file from the print dialog in draw.io
  3. Your operating system and browser will determine what steps you need to follow, for example:
    • If you are using Chrome, set the Destination to Save as PDF, then click Save.
      Select PDF as the destination to print a diagram to a PDF file in Chrome
    • If you are using a different browser on macOS, in the Print dialog, click on the PDF dropdown, then select Save as PDF. Enter a filename and then save the file.
      Click the PDF dropdown and select save as PDF to print your diagram to a PDF file on macOS

If you have used a custom font that is installed on your local computer, your diagram will not be displayed correctly in an exported PDF file. In this instance, print your diagram to a PDF file instead of exporting it.

Secure PDF generation​

Print directly to a PDF file via File > Print to ensure your diagram data is never transferred outside your own system.

If you choose to Export your diagram to a PDF file instead, your diagram is sent to the draw.io server to use the PDF generator hosted there, and then deleted from the server as soon as the PDF file is returned.