# How do I change a color pdf to black and white?

**URL:** <https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117>\
**Category:** Comments & Markup\
**Tags:** powerpoint\
**Created:** [November 7, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117 "2026-11-07T10:10:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HarperClark](https://community.pdfsuite.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HarperClark](https://community.pdfsuite.io/u/HarperClark)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117/1 "2026-11-07T10:10:17Z")

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I need to turn a color PDF into black and white before printing a 30-page handout. Can I change the file itself rather than just the printer settings?

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**Author:** ![patient\_midnight](https://community.pdfsuite.io/user_avatar/community.pdfsuite.io/patient_midnight/32/25_2.png) [@patient\_midnight](https://community.pdfsuite.io/u/patient_midnight)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117/2 "2026-11-07T10:10:19Z")

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I had to do this for a handout once, and changing the printer setting only affected that print job. To change the file itself, open the PDF in an editor that has a grayscale or black-and-white conversion option, then save a new copy and check a few pages before printing.

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**Author:** ![guest.238671](https://community.pdfsuite.io/user_avatar/community.pdfsuite.io/guest.238671/32/38_2.png) [@guest.238671](https://community.pdfsuite.io/u/guest.238671)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117/3 "2026-11-08T16:43:06Z")

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If you just want it to print in black and white, your printer settings should have a “grayscale” or “black and white” option, that’s usually easiest for 30 pages. What printer and program are you using to open the PDF?

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**Author:** ![gaa\_miami](https://community.pdfsuite.io/user_avatar/community.pdfsuite.io/gaa_miami/32/39_2.png) [@gaa\_miami](https://community.pdfsuite.io/u/gaa_miami)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117/4 "2026-11-10T00:13:13Z")

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1. Open the PDF in your web browser.
2. Press Ctrl+P and set the destination to “Save as PDF”.
3. Change the color setting to Black and white, then save it.

This creates a new black-and-white copy of the file directly on your computer without needing extra software.

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**Author:** ![baking\_addict](https://community.pdfsuite.io/user_avatar/community.pdfsuite.io/baking_addict/32/28_2.png) [@baking\_addict](https://community.pdfsuite.io/u/baking_addict)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2026, 5:28am UTC](https://community.pdfsuite.io/t/how-do-i-change-a-color-pdf-to-black-and-white/117/5 "2026-11-11T05:28:11Z")

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If your handout started life as slides, the quickest route is PowerPoint itself. Open the deck, go File \> Export \> Create PDF/XPS, then click Options and change the publish setting from Colour to Black and White, saving it under a new name. Keep your original colour copy safe in case you need it later. Worth checking the page count and any coloured charts before you print.