If you have been using Evernote for a long time, you probably realize that it is an ideal way to save everything from quick meeting notes to long project plans. You may need to export Evernote to PDF for multiple reasons. But when you need to share a note with someone who doesn’t use Evernote or you want a good uneditable backup, you need to learn how to export an Evernote note to PDF. It is a fairly straightforward process, although there are a few little tricks to do it properly, especially if you have many notes.

Why You Need to Export Evernote to PDF

Here's the thing: even though Evernote is great for organizing your notes, it is sometimes not the best format for sharing and long-term archiving. PDF is universal; everyone can open a PDF on a Mac or PC, or phone, without special software. That alone is nice. You may want to export Evernote to PDF if you are:

• Archiving important documents: Tax documents, receipts, contracts, etc., to perform an exported Evernote to PDF action ensures the formatting will not change, it is a stable file type, and will still be readable many years from now.
• Sharing with non-Evernote users: If you're working with a client or colleague who prefers email attachments, sharing PDF versions is an easy way to provide them with a clean copy of your work.
• Making physical backups: Perhaps you just like the peace of mind of having a printout (or you are the type of person who prefers taking notes with pen and paper). PDFs allow you to print your notes with consistent formatting with little fuss. Overall, being able to export Evernote to PDF gives you control over how you share and save your notes.

What this all means is that a successful export of Evernote to PDF offers you some level of control over your data outside of the app. You've made sure that your prized data is still accessible, available in another format, and protected from the unknowns of what could happen to the app over time. Knowing how to export Evernote to PDF is a must.

How to Export Evernote to PDF?

For many people, the easiest option is to utilize the feature that is built into the Evernote application itself. There is no need to download anything special, and it is included in both the desktop app and web version. Let’s walk through the steps to export Evernote to PDF using the current desktop app, since it will allow you the most control.

Open the Note: Locate the note you would like to save and click to open it in the main editing window. You should clean up any formatting you want to change before exporting Evernote to PDF.

• Find the Print Menu: Find the three-dot menu ($...$) at the top right of your note, or just go to File in the main application menu.
• Select Print: Click Print. Don’t worry, you aren’t actually printing anything yet; this is just the command needed to export Evernote to PDF.
• Change the Destination: A print dialog box will pop up in the box that describes your printer as the destination. Just click on this and change it to Save as PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF (Depending on your operating system).

Best Solution to Export Evernote to PDF

If you have a large-scale data migration in progress or you need advanced functionality not offered directly through the app, it may be necessary to employ the best tool, such asMacUncle Evernote Converter. These specialized programs are designed to overcome the limitations of Evernote's bulk exporting options. They are useful if you are leaving the platform altogether or moving thousands of notes due to legal or compliance reasons. This is another path to effectively exporting Evernote information to PDF.

These specialized tools usually automate the complex process of reformatting the ENEX file (the files Evernote uses for bulk exporting) into a series of formatted PDF documents. They handle attachments, metadata, and linked notes in a much more user-friendly manner than a manual batch process. Although the options typically incur a fee, they allow you to save hours of work and do so accurately when performing large-scale exporting of Evernote notes to PDF. Deciding to export Evernote information to PDF through a third-party tool ultimately comes down to the amount of data to work with.

Manual Method to Export Evernote to PDF 

Evernote allows users to easily save, organize, and sync notes across devices. However, there are occasions when saving your Evernote notes in PDF format is preferable, whether it is for printing, sharing, or offline archiving. The good news is that Evernote has features included in the application for manual exporting that allow this function without installing and subscribing to the application. 

Below are the step-by-step instructions to manually export Evernote notes to PDF on Windows, macOS, and Evernote Web, as well as iPhone and Android.

Export Evernote Notes to PDF Using the Desktop Application (Windows and Mac)

If you are using Evernote on your computer, you now have access to the most extensive option for manual exporting. When following the printed note workflow process, you will have control over the appearance of the export note in the PDF. When exporting it to a PDF, it will utilize the note-as-it-appears manual print method.

Here is a complete process of what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Open the Evernote app

1. Open the Evernote Desktop App on your machine to start. Make sure that you are logged into your account and all notes in your library are synced.

Step 2: Choose the note you want to export

1. Use the notebooks in the left element of the desktop app or search bar to find and select the note you want to export. It will need to be opened full-size in the editor window.

Step 3: Review and clean up your note

1. Before you export your note, quickly look through your note to collect your thoughts:
2. Fix any formatting (e.g., spacing, font size, indentation)
3. Make sure images are loading correctly 
4. Remove unnecessary sections
5. This cleaning process helps the final PDF become well-structured and formatted.

Step 4: Open the print dialog

1. With the note open in the Evernote editor, look for the three-dot icon (⋯) at the upper right corner of the note. Clicking on the three-dot icon will expose a drop-down menu where you can select Print 
2. You can also go to the top menu and select File → Print 
3. (Don't fret! You have not printed anything yet!) 

Step 5: Select "Save as PDF" as the Destination

1. A print dialog box window will open. Just follow these steps:
2. In the Destination section, select the dropdown menu.
3. Pick the option Save as PDF (on macOS) or Microsoft Print to PDF (on Windows).
4. This lets your computer know you want to create a digital PDF file instead of printing the note.

Step 6: Preview & Print Settings

1. Before you save your note, check the following settings:
2. Orientation: Portrait (for text-based notes) or Landscape (for wider table layouts)
3. Margins: Default or Custom, depending on the layout
4. Paper size: A4 or Letter
5. Scale: 100% (original size)
6. Pages: Select "All" unless you want to select a custom range of pages

Step 7: Save the PDF File

When you are satisfied, select Save or Print (depends on your operating system).

You will need to choose a folder to save your file and give it a name that makes sense, for example:

Project_Notes_Q1_2025.pdf

Congratulations! Now you have manually exported your Evernote note as a PDF document.

Example Use Cases​​:​​

• Saving meeting minutes as a professional PDF before sharing with a client. 
• Archiving receipts for expenses, or scanning and archiving contracts for record-keeping purposes. 
• Printing study notes or ideas for research that are saved directly from Evernote.

Manual Method via Evernote Web

If you're accessing Evernote through a web browser rather than the desktop app, the process will be just about the same. 

You Will Want to Do the Following

1. Go to Evernote Web and log in. 
2. Open the Note - Find and open the note you want to save as a PDF. 
3. Open the Print Command - Click the 3-dot menu (⋯) located on the top right corner. 
4. Print Note - Click the menu item "Print Note" from the dropdown options. 
5. Save as PDF - Once you see the print preview window open, change the Destination to "Save as PDF." 
6. Adjust Settings - Set margins, orientation, and page size, if you want. 
7. Click Save - Select a folder location, and save the note. 

An Evernote note you have opened will now be downloaded as a well-formatted PDF, directly from your web browser.

Manual Method on Mobile (iPhone & Android)

Evernote's mobile applications do not have a "Save as PDF" functionality, but both Android and iOS apps have a built-in way of getting around this with the system print functionality.

For iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Evernote App and go to the note you want to export.
2. Tap the Share icon (square with upward arrow) at the bottom.
3. In the share menu, select Print.
4. In the print preview screen, pinch out (zoom in with two fingers).
5. This will take you to an actual full-screen PDF preview.
6. Tap the Share icon again in the top-right corner.
7. Select Save to Files, Send via AirDrop, or Email to export your note as a PDF.

For Android Devices

1. Open Evernote on your phone.
2. Open the note you want to export.
3. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top right.
4. Select Share note → Print.
5. When you see the Choose a printer dialog, tap the dropdown menu and select Save as PDF.
6. Pick a folder and file name, then tap Save.
7. You can now find your Evernote note saved as a PDF on your Android device.

Suggestions for Improved PDF Exports Manually

• Preview Before Saving: You should always check the PDF preview screen so that you can get an idea of how images, tables, and text appear. 
• Add a Meaningful Filename: Include project names, keywords, or dates to help you organize the documents.
• Maintain File Structure: You should save the PDFs in folders related to Evernote notebooks for organization.
• Be aware of File Size: Notes with large images or attachments may produce PDFs that are quite heavy. Compress if needed. 
• Use the Cloud For Sync: Save your PDFs to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox for secure backup.

Disadvantages of the Manual Method

While the manual export option is sound for a few notes, it's not a viable option for bulk exporting. Here are the main points to keep in mind: 

• One Note at a Time – You will have to go through the process once per note.
• Long for Large Volumes – Manually exporting hundreds or thousands of notes will become painful.
• No Metadata – Metadata like tags, date created, or notebook name do not get exported to the PDF file.
• Loss of Formatting – Complex notes with tables, check boxes, or files embedded might not print correctly. 
• No Bulk Automation – There is no option to schedule or batch export numerous notebooks at once.

When to Use the Manual Method

1. Use the manual "Save as PDF" method when:
2. You are trying to export a smaller total number of notes, for instance, fewer than 20 notes.
3. You want complete control over the layout and formatting of individual notes.
4. You are unwilling to install and/or pay for additional software.
5. You are using a shared or public computer where you can't install apps other than Evernote.

For users who export or migrate a large number of notes, there are third-party solutions like MacUncle Evernote Converter that take automation and expanded functionality to a new level — but, from a general everyday experience of exporting notes, the manual method will be easiest, quickest, and free.
 

Time to Wrap Up

Learning to export Evernote to PDF is a necessary skill for anyone serious about being competent in managing their digital life. Whether you are backing up a single document, sharing a document for a project with a colleague, or even if you are preparing for a big move to another program, PDF is a good format to provide stability and universal compatibility. In this guide, we have gone over how to export Evernote to PDF and the built-in features. 

You can now - both with the simple 'Print to PDF' function for individual notes and with the awareness of the limitations of the bulk export - take control of your data and have peace of mind that your important information is secure and accessible today and tomorrow. Now you know how to export Evernote to PDF with confidence.