Save the Export PDF in Background on/off State

[AA_nvr]

Export PDF in Background is one of the great additions in Revit 2025 but is easily overlooked. It doesn't help that it is off by default. It's not even possible to save the on/off state in an Export Setup. If I export in background and save the model, the next time I open it, it's off again. I know so many users that will never see this option or will just forget it. Please let me just turn this on in my Templates so I can save allot of wasted time.

[treyk]

Hi AA_nvr--

When you export PDF and have the Export Setup set to the <in-session>, any changes made will remain while the project is open, but they will not be saved with the project.  Thus the Export in background checkbox is unchecked when the project is re-opened.

I believe that if you choose to save your Export Setup, your Export PDF settings will save the on/off state of the Export in background checkbox (along with any other Options that you have changed).  The currently active Export Setup will be the default Export PDF setting when the file is closed and then re-opened.

A named Export Setup can also be created, with the Export in background checkbox checked, and saved into the Project Template.  When a new project is started with this template, it will default to the named Export Setup and will have Export in background checked.

Does this help?  Are there other specific criteria you would like to see?

[AA_nvr]

Hi treyk,

This indeed seems to be the case, thanks for pointing this out! It is possible to save this in the template. The only thing that I would like to add is that it would be better that the checkbox is checked by default after upgrade. This would prevent users having to check this in ongoing projects.

[kimberly_fuhrman-jones]

We are pleased to say that this has been implemented in Revit 2026.2! Thank you for your contribution to improving Revit!

Help | Set PDF Export in Background as Default | Autodesk

 -The Factory

[cSol]

And ... is there a possibility to disable the background export feature from start? In the revit.ini as an example? For smaller exports the background-feature is quite useless. Overall it takes much longer, than just export one single sheet right away.  

[neilVDEHA]

I would also like to know how to deactivate export in background by default as , for the number of sheets we generally publish at a time, back ground seems to take longer.

[GrantBIM]

This feature is quite frustrating.  It seems to set itself on when you are working through exporting some views for internal use or on the fly.  you switch it off and then next export, its back on again.  The background process takes far longer than just letting the program export it normally.  Why does Autodesk chose to implement this on the back of a few votes, when their are a million other things we have been screaming for for years! You made a frustrating feature even more frustrating on the back of 3 votes...nice!  

[neilVDEHA]

Couldn't agree more, but this has been a habit of Autodesk's for a long
time!

[pdent2]

Agreed! Having this turn itself on is super annoying. It should just remember its state across sessions and NEVER turn itself on!