How to convert your Foleon Doc to PDF

In this article

• Set up your print layout
• Preview your print layout
• Download your PDF
• Three options: what's the difference?
• Failed attempts
• Best practices for optimized print layout
• Limitations

Set up your print layout

In the Global Document Settings, set your default page size (US Letter or A4), orientation, margins, and page numbers. These become the default for every Foleon Doc in your account. If preferred, you can also adjust these settings per Doc in the Doc Settings.

To set up your default print layout:

1. Open Admin Console > Global Document Settings.
2. Scroll to Print settings.
3. Set the Page size to A4 or US Letter.
4. Set the Orientation to Portrait or Landscape.
5. Enter your Page margins.
6. Toggle Show page numbers on or off.
7. Lock the setting to prevent changes to individual Docs.
   💡 The option to lock your Doc Settings is not available on all plans.
8. Click Save.

To adjust your print settings for individual Docs:

1. In the editor, open the Menu.
2. Click Doc Settings and navigate to the section Global Doc settings.
3. Adjust the page format, orientation, margins, and page numbers.
4. Click Save.

You can adjust your print settings for this Doc, such as the orientation or margins. Use Reset at the top to revert to your Global Doc settings.

Preview your print layout

Before you convert your Doc to a PDF, see exactly how it will look and adjust it. Directly in the editor, you can preview your PDF and fine-tune the spacing to control where page breaks occur.

To preview your print layout:

1. In the editor, open the Menu and click Print preview
2. A pop-up window will appear. This explains that any changes you make while previewing your PDF will also apply to the original Doc. Click Got it to continue.
3. Preview your Doc. The preview opens over your Doc with your print settings applied. From here you can:
   • Zoom in and out of the PDF
   • Switch between the current page only or see the Full Doc.
   • Refresh the preview
   • Collapse the preview

You can adjust the spacing and block height on your Doc to adjust where the pages break in the PDF export. After making a change, click Refresh to see the change reflected in the preview.

Follow the steps mentioned above if you want to adjust your print settings for each Doc, such as the orientation or margins.

Download your PDF

When your layout looks right, download your PDF from the dashboard.

1. In the dashboard, find the Foleon Doc you want to export to PDF.
2. Click the quick actions menu.
3. Select Download > Convert to PDF.
4. Choose your PDF layout (see descriptions of each format below):
   
   1. Foleon Doc layout (optimized for digital devices)
   2. Optimized print layout (recommended for PDFs and printing)
   3. Print layout (legacy)
5. Click Convert.

Once your PDF is generated, you'll receive a download link by email.

Three options: what's the difference?

There are three options when you download your Foleon Doc as a PDF. Below, we'll walk you through each of the options.

Foleon Doc layout

This version is optimized for digital devices and keeps the layout of your Doc. Each page of your Foleon Doc exports as a single page in the PDF, regardless of its length. It is image-based, so the PDF is a screenshot of each page and does not include interactive elements. We recommend it for viewing on digital devices.

Because it is image-based, the file size stays small, which makes it easier to export a large Foleon Doc.

Optimized print layout (New)

This version gives you control over how your Doc prints, using the page size, orientation, margins, and page numbers you set up in the Doc Settings.

It is the recommended option for printing, for example, for offline distribution, review, or formal documentation.

Print layout (legacy)

This is the original print export. It generates an A4 portrait PDF with interactive elements, including clickable links and QR codes for Vimeo and YouTube videos.

It does not include the print settings or preview, so you cannot change the page size, orientation, margins, or page numbers. Choose the optimized print layout instead, unless you specifically need the legacy output.

Failed Attempts

If we run into any issues when converting your Doc to PDF, you'll be sent an email letting you know the export has failed. If the problem persists, please contact our support team for assistance.

Best practices for optimized print layout 

The optimized print layout handles most of the formatting for you. These tips help you get the closest match between your Foleon Doc and your PDF.

Work in a duplicate

Edits you make while the print preview is open also change your Doc. Duplicate your Doc first, make your print adjustments in the copy, and keep that copy as your print version. This way you don't repeat the same adjustments every time you export.

Fine-tune the layout before you export

• Hover over a page to see your margins in millimeters and whether a block is set to full height.
• Adjust the spacing and block height in your Doc to control where the pages break.
• Click Refresh after every change to see it reflected in the preview.

Swap out what doesn't carry over

Some interactive elements need a static equivalent in your print copy:

• Replace or remove buttons to the next page, the previous page, or an overlay with plain text, since these are not clickable in the PDF. Links to external sources stay clickable.
• Switch carousels to a gallery view so every image appears in the export.
• Move the content of overlays and accordions into body text where it matters, since overlays are placed at the end of the PDF.
• Turn off animation on charts and other animated elements before you export, then turn it back on. The export is image-based, so an animated element can be captured before it finishes loading.

Design your Doc with print in mind

• Avoid column scroll. Scrolling content can't translate to a fixed page. We recommend this for all Foleon Docs.
• Keep your use of overlays limited, and link every overlay you want to appear in the PDF.

Limitations