Notion does not include a built-in button to export a page as a PDF and attach it directly to an email. Many users want to send a page to someone who does not have Notion access or who should not receive a public share link. This article explains the manual export method that works on both Windows and Mac. You will learn the exact steps to convert a Notion page into a PDF file and attach it to any email client without exposing the page to the internet.
Key Takeaways: Export a Notion Page as PDF for Email
- Page menu > Export > PDF: Converts the current page into a PDF file saved to your local Downloads folder.
- Include subpages toggle: Exports all nested subpages together when enabled before clicking Export.
- Email compose > Attach File: Attaches the downloaded PDF to any email client without creating a public Notion link.
What the Export Feature Does and What You Need Before Starting
Notions export feature creates a static copy of a page in PDF, Markdown, or HTML format. When you choose PDF, the exported file preserves the layout, headings, text, images, and databases as they appear in the page. The exported PDF does not contain any Notion branding or a link back to the original page unless you manually add one.
Before you begin, make sure the page you want to send is fully loaded in your browser or desktop app. If the page contains databases, check that all rows and columns are visible because the export captures only what is currently displayed. You do not need a paid Notion plan. The export feature is available on all Notion plans including the Free plan.
Steps to Export a Notion Page as PDF and Attach It to an Email
- Open the page you want to send
Navigate to the page in Notion. Make sure it is not collapsed. If you want to include subpages, expand the page tree so all nested pages are visible. - Open the page menu
Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the page. The icon appears next to the page title. A dropdown menu opens. - Select Export from the menu
Scroll down the dropdown menu and click Export. A small dialog window appears with export options. - Choose PDF as the export format
In the Export dialog, click the format dropdown and select PDF. Keep the page orientation set to Portrait unless your page contains wide tables that require Landscape. - Set the export scope
Below the format dropdown, you see a checkbox labeled Include subpages. Check this box if you want all nested pages to appear in the same PDF. Leave it unchecked to export only the current page. - Click the Export button
Click the blue Export button at the bottom of the dialog. Notion generates the PDF file and downloads it to your computers default Downloads folder. The file name matches the page title. - Open the downloaded PDF
Locate the PDF file in your Downloads folder. Double-click it to open and verify the content looks correct. Check that images, text, and tables are not cut off. - Attach the PDF to an email
Open your email client. Compose a new message. Click the attachment icon or use the menu option Insert > Attach File. Browse to the PDF file and select it. The file attaches as a standard email attachment. The recipient does not need a Notion account to open it.
If the Exported PDF Looks Wrong or Missing Content
Exported PDF cuts off text or images
The most common cause is the page orientation. If your page contains wide tables or code blocks, switch the orientation to Landscape in the Export dialog before clicking Export. You can also reduce the width of columns in Notion databases before exporting.
Subpages are missing from the PDF
The Include subpages checkbox must be checked before you click Export. If you already exported without subpages, repeat the export with the checkbox enabled. The exported PDF appends each subpage as a separate section in the same file.
PDF file size is too large to email
Notion pages with many high-resolution images produce large PDF files. Most email providers accept attachments up to 25 MB. If your PDF exceeds that limit, remove or compress images in the Notion page before exporting. Use an image compression tool to reduce file sizes before uploading them to Notion.
Recipient reports the PDF is blank
This usually happens when the Notion page contains only a database view without any rendered text. Export the database as a separate page by creating a linked database view on a new page. Then export that new page as PDF.
Notion Export Formats Compared
| Feature | PDF Export | Markdown Export |
|---|---|---|
| File type | Portable Document Format | Markdown (.md) with separate image folder |
| Layout preservation | Preserves fonts, colors, spacing | Plain text with Markdown syntax |
| Images included | Embedded in the PDF | Saved as separate image files |
| Easiest to email | Yes, single file attachment | No, multiple files need zipping |
| Recipient needs software | PDF reader | Markdown editor |
For emailing a Notion page to someone who does not use Notion, PDF is the best choice. It produces a single file that opens in any browser or PDF reader. Markdown export is better suited for developers who want to import the content into a documentation tool.
You can now export any Notion page as a PDF file and attach it to an email without creating a public share link. For pages that change frequently, consider exporting a new PDF each time you send an update. To speed up the process, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P on Windows or Cmd+P on Mac to open the Print dialog, then choose Save as PDF as an alternative method that works in the browser version of Notion.