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The encapsulation of photoactive guests into a metal-organic framework is advantageous in endowing extra functionalities such as photochromism and photoswitchable luminescence. In this paper, a host-guest MOF material, [Zn 3 (IPA) 4 ​MV] (1) (H 2 IPA ​= ​isophthalic acid, MV·2NO 3 ​= ​1,1'-dimethyl-(4,4'-bipyridine)-1,1'-diium dinitrate) has been constructed by encapsulating simplest methyl viologen guest into the anionic MOF framework. This material exhibits reversible naked-eye detectable photochromic properties varying from colorless to blue upon UV–Vis light irradiation. The MV2+ and the short O⋯N distance between the oxygen atom and pyridine ring of MV2+ play a crucial role in the photochromism of this compound. This host-guest MOF compound shows photoswitchable luminescent properties in the solid state. More interestingly, this host-guest MOF material can be deposited on filter paper and can be employed as inkless print material by controlling the UV–Vis light irradiation with the stencil. A novel MOF-based host-guest compound was prepared by incorporating the photoactive methyl viologen into the anionic framework, which exhibit photochromism upon UV–Vis light irradiation and photocontrolled luminescence. Moreover, this compound can be used as inkless and erasable print media. [Display omitted] • A host-guest compound was prepared by incorporating the viologen into the anionic MOFs. • Compound 1 exhibits fast-responsive photochromism and reversible luminescence switching upon UV–Vis light irradiation. • Compound ​ 1 ​can be employed as inkless and erasable print media by controlling the UV-Vis light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]