File Export: PDF

Export sheets to PDF documents with options for combined or separate output, paper size, orientation, and quality. This format is part of the File Export add-in.

Overview

PDF export produces print-ready documents from Revit sheets. Sheets can be combined into a single PDF or exported as individual files. Supports pattern-based and sheet set-based selection for targeted exports.

Options

Option	Description	Default
Sheet Selection	All Sheets / By Pattern / By Sheet Set	All Sheets
Sheet Pattern	Wildcard filter for sheet numbers (e.g., `A-;S-`)	`A-;S-`
Sheet Set Name	Name of a Revit ViewSheetSet to export	(none)
Combine PDF	Merge all sheets into one PDF file	On
Paper Size	Auto / Letter / Legal / Tabloid / A0-A4	Auto
Orientation	Auto / Portrait / Landscape	Auto
Color Output	Color or grayscale rendering	Color
Raster Quality	72 / 150 / 300 / 600 DPI	300
Subfolder	Output subfolder path	`PDF/{FileName}`
File Name	Output file name pattern	`{SheetNumber}_{SheetName}`

See File Name Placeholders for all available placeholders.

Sheet Selection

All Sheets

Exports every non-placeholder sheet in the document.

By Pattern

Exports sheets whose numbers match the wildcard pattern.

Example patterns:

Pattern	Matches
`A-*`	Architectural sheets (A-001, A-101, etc.)
`S-*`	Structural sheets
`A-;S-`	Architecture and structural sheets
`-1`	Sheets with “1” in the number
`A-1??`	Architectural sheets A-100 through A-199 (three digits starting with 1)
`?-501`	Any single-letter discipline with sheet 501 (A-501, S-501, M-501, etc.)

By Sheet Set

Exports sheets belonging to a named Revit ViewSheetSet. Enter the exact sheet set name.

Output Options

Combined vs. Separate

Combine PDF On - All sheets merge into a single PDF file. Sheet-specific placeholders ({SheetNumber}, {SheetName}) are replaced with “Combined” in the file name.
Combine PDF Off - Each sheet exports as a separate PDF. If neither {SheetNumber} nor {SheetName} is in the file name pattern, {SheetNumber} is automatically appended.

Paper Size

Auto reads the title block size from each sheet. Override with a specific size if all sheets should use the same paper.

Raster Quality

Higher DPI produces sharper output but larger file sizes.

DPI	Best For
72	Quick previews, small file size
150	General review, good balance
300	Print-quality deliverables (recommended)
600	High-detail drawings with fine linework

Requirements

At least one non-placeholder sheet must exist in the document
Sheet set names must match exactly (case-sensitive)

Tips

Use Auto paper size to let each sheet use its own title block size
Combine PDF is ideal for submittal packages where one file per discipline is preferred
300 DPI is standard for most deliverables; use 600 only when fine detail is critical
Pattern filtering lets you export discipline-specific packages without creating sheet sets

Limitations

Limitation	Details
Revit 2022 or later required	PDF export uses the API available in Revit 2022 and newer
Sheets only	Cannot export individual views (plans, sections) directly to PDF
Placeholder sheets skipped	Sheets without views are excluded
Sheet set must exist	The named ViewSheetSet must already be created in Revit

Troubleshooting

No sheets found

The document does not contain any non-placeholder sheets.

Solution: Ensure the project has sheets with placed views. Placeholder sheets are excluded.

Pattern matches no sheets

The sheet number pattern did not match any sheets in the document.

Solution: Check your pattern against the actual sheet numbers. Use “All Sheets” to verify sheets exist, then narrow with patterns.

Sheet set not found

The specified ViewSheetSet name does not exist in the document.

Solution: Open the sheet list in Revit and verify the sheet set name. Names are case-sensitive.

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