Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Apr 10, 2025 6:07:10 PM

How can I darken the text on a TurboTax pdf? Downloaded version, not online.

For the whole saved pdf tax file, the only text that's black is the headings and official text on the left side. ALL OF MY NUMBERS ARE MUCH LIGHTER; GRAY - NOT BLACK! Of course they're also smaller point size than the "official form" text.

My printer toner density is maxed out, but text is still light and very difficult to read!

This is definitely a programming problem, not my monitor or printer! It's annoyed me for years, but I never tried to adjust it aside from printer toner density until now.

0 3 702
3 Replies
Level 15
Apr 10, 2025 6:55:07 PM

Are the numbers light when you view the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader, or only on the printed copy? If you are using a different PDF viewer, try Adobe Acrobat Reader instead. It's free.

 

New Member
Apr 11, 2025 1:36:38 AM

Yes, the numbers are light in every pdf program I've tried, including Adobe Reader. Unfortunately, even when you want to print directly to a printer, TT generates a pdf, so you're stuck with that inferior process where the numbers are lighter tone and somewhat smaller than the form's other text. As I mentioned, it's done this for years, but I just 'put up with it'. I'm amazed it's not a common complaint.

Level 15
Apr 11, 2025 2:22:40 AM


@ astropixel 

wrote:

Yes, the numbers are light in every pdf program I've tried, including Adobe Reader. Unfortunately, even when you want to print directly to a printer, TT generates a pdf, so you're stuck with that inferior process where the numbers are lighter tone and somewhat smaller than the form's other text. As I mentioned, it's done this for years, but I just 'put up with it'. I'm amazed it's not a common complaint.


"I'm amazed it's not a common complaint."

       If it were common, there be a lot of postings in the forum, especially this time of year when everyone is printing.  "Rare" or "uncommon" might be a better descriptive, which makes it harder to know what to suggest.

       I don't know if it will make any difference, but people may want to know if you are using Windows or a Mac with your Adobe Reader.

 

Is it only for TurboTax PDFs?   Do PDFs from other sources look correct when viewed or printed?