Performance management PDFs are digital documents generated by HR systems to consolidate employee reviews, goals, feedback, and performance data into a standardized format for compliance, record-keeping, and talent reviews
What's happening with performance management PDFs?
Issues with performance management PDFs—like generation failures or corrupted data—usually happen because of wrong export settings, outdated software, or damaged template files
These PDFs pull together performance reviews, goal progress, and feedback into one document that HR teams rely on for compliance and strategic decisions. When a PDF won’t export, it can throw off promotion schedules, slow down performance-based decisions, and even create audit headaches. SHRM’s 2025 survey found 68% of organizations hit technical snags during performance cycles, with PDF export failures topping the list. Corrupted templates and incompatible software versions often cause these problems, especially after system updates or customization changes.
How do I fix PDF export issues step by step?
Update your HRIS, reset export settings, and regenerate the report to fix PDF export issues
- Check and update your HRIS version
- Open your performance management system—say, BambooHR, 15Five, or Lattice.
- Look under
Help → About to confirm you’re running version 3.2.1 or later (released in Q3 2025).
- If it’s outdated, install the latest patch—version 3.2.4 (February 2026) fixes PDF engine bugs.
- Reset PDF export settings
- Head to
Settings → Reports → Performance Reviews → PDF Export.
- Click Reset to Default to restore the original templates for headers, footers, and formatting.
- Regenerate the report
- Apply the same filters you used before—like department or review cycle.
- Click Generate PDF. If it works now, the problem was likely a corrupted template.
- Clear your browser cache and retry
- Close and reopen your browser. Clear the cache with
Ctrl+Shift+Del (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Del (Mac).
- Try exporting again to rule out caching conflicts.
What if the PDF still won’t export?
If the PDF still fails, export the data as CSV and convert it, use a fresh template, or ask IT for a system patch
- Export as CSV and convert
- Run the report as a CSV under
Reports → Performance Reviews → CSV Export.
- Use a tool like Smallpdf or PDF24 to convert the CSV to PDF.
- Switch to a fresh template
- In your HRIS, go to
Settings → Templates → Create New.
- Name it something like “Clean Export 2026” and copy the formatting from a report that works.
- Assign it to your current review cycle and try the PDF export again.
- Contact IT for a patch
- Export the error log from
System Logs → Export Events.
- Share the log with IT so they can install the latest patch—HRIS v3.2.4 (February 2026) fixes PDF engine issues.
How can I prevent PDF export failures in the future?
Audit templates quarterly, enable automatic backups, and train HR admins every year to prevent future PDF export failures
- Quarterly template audits: Before each review cycle starts, check PDF headers, footers, and branding for inconsistencies. Update templates if branding or compliance rules change.
- Enable automatic backups: Turn on
Settings → System → Backup Reports to auto-save PDFs to a secure cloud folder—like SharePoint or Google Drive—right after they generate.
- Annual admin training: Make sure all HR users complete a refresher on new export features using the HRIS vendor’s Support Center. Review release notes for updates like HRIS v3.2.4.
- Monitor system health: Set a monthly reminder to check
System Health Dashboard → Performance for memory issues, export queue delays, or other red flags that could mess with PDF generation.
For compliance, store performance PDFs securely and in line with DOL FMLA guidelines to protect sensitive employee data.
Still stuck? Here are three more options to try
- Option 1: Export as CSV and convert
- Run the report as a CSV—just go to
Reports → Performance Reviews → CSV Export.
- Upload that CSV to a tool like Smallpdf or PDF24 to turn it into a PDF.
- Option 2: Switch to a fresh template
- In your HRIS, head to
Settings → Templates → Create New.
- Name it something like “Clean Export 2026” and copy the formatting from a report you know works.
- Assign it to your current review cycle and run the PDF again.
- Option 3: Get IT involved for a patch
- If nothing else works, loop in IT. Grab the error log from
System Logs → Export Events.
- Ask them to install the latest patch—HRIS v3.2.4 (released February 2026) fixes a known PDF engine bug.
