This guide explains how to export a tech pack from Tech Pack Wizard once it is ready to be shared.
Exporting creates a final version of the tech pack based on the most up-to-date information in the file.
Before You Export
Before exporting a tech pack, ensure that:
- All Primary Sketches are finalized
- All Specifications and Callouts are complete
- The Graded Specs page reflects the latest measurements
- The Illustrator file is saved
Exported tech packs reflect the current saved state of the file.
Note: Excel export requires a Downloads folder to exist on your computer. If your computer doesn’t have a Downloads folder (or it’s been renamed/removed), Excel export will not work.
Where Export Options Are Located
Export options are located at the top of the panel when the panel is toggled to Tech Pack view.
Two export buttons are available:
- Preview PDF
- Export Excel
Export as PDF
Step 1: Open Preview PDF
Open the Tech Pack Wizard panel.
Toggle the panel to Tech Pack view.
Click Preview PDF at the top of the panel.
A preview of the tech pack will open as a PDF.
Step 2: Export the PDF
Review the PDF preview.
Press Save PDF button to export the file to PDF and follow prompts or press Edit Mode to return to the plugin panel and continue editing.
The exported PDF reflects the current state of the tech pack.
Export as Excel
Step 1: Export Excel
Open the Tech Pack Wizard panel.
Toggle the panel to Tech Pack view.
Click Export Excel at the top of the panel.
The Excel file is exported directly to your computer’s Downloads folder. A Downloads folder must exist on your machine for this to complete successfully.
A couple things to note regarding Excel export
Here are a few things to be aware of when exporting to Excel and some quick fixes.
Logo does not appear in Excel header:
Due to a technical limitation with Excel, the logo cannot be automatically embedded in the header of the exported file (the logo exports correctly to PDF).
How To Add Your Logo Manually:
- Open your exported Excel file.
- Right-click any sheet tab at the bottom of the file and hit Select All Sheets. All tabs will highlight to show they are grouped.
- Go to Insert > Header & Footer.
- Insert your logo image into the header.
- The logo will be added to every page at once.
Click any single tab to ungroup the sheets when done.
Excel Footer shows “Pg. 1 of 1” on every page
Each sheet in the exported Excel file is its own page, so when viewed individually it correctly displays “Pg. 1 of 1.” This is how Excel handles footers per sheet and is not a bug with the export.
To see the correct pagination before printing:
- In Excel, go to File > Print.
- Set the print option to Print Entire Workbook.
Page numbers in the footer of the print preview will reflect the full document correctly.
Page Layout View Shows Content Overflowing
This is a display issue with Excel, not a problem with the export itself. When the file is first opened, Page Layout view may not render the page boundaries correctly, making it look as though some content is spilling onto a second page to the right.
How to fix it:
- Right-click any sheet tab at the bottom of the file and select Select All Sheets to group all tabs.
- Go to File > Print to open Print Preview.
- Confirm the content fits correctly on one page width (it should).
- Click Cancel to exit Print Preview.
- Page Layout view will now show all pages fitting correctly on a single page width.
Notes
- Exported files are static and will not update automatically if changes are made later.
- If updates are made after exporting, re-export the tech pack to include the latest changes.
- Always save the Illustrator file before exporting to ensure accuracy.
- Excel export requires a Downloads folder on your computer.