3 Replies Latest reply on Aug 16, 2012 1:56 PM by dave_m_k

    PDF to Word black background in Text blocks

    cookcorec Level 1
    cookcorec Aug 15, 2012 7:55 AM

      I converted a pdf flyer to Word for editing date and location of an event. Three of the blocks of text that I wasn't going to change looked like  they were in text blocks with black backgrounds. I was unable to change the black blocks and had to do a color fill to cover the blocks. It was frustrating and not completely effective. Why did this happen? What is the resolution ? I anticipate converting many such flyers with new dates and times and I do not appreciate this glitch in the conversion process. What is my next step?

        • 1. Re: PDF to Word black background in Text blocks
          dave_m_k Adobe Employee
          dave_m_k Employee Aug 15, 2012 10:05 AM (in response to cookcorec)

          Try converting your document with OCR disabled.  I've seen this behavior occur a few times in the past, but never for any sort of consistent reason.  To disable OCR, turn off the 'Recognize text' option prior to converting your document.

           

          You may also want to try deleting the black boxes.  It could be that they are artifacts from the original document the PDF was created from that don't actually serve a purpose.

           

          -David

          • 2. Re: PDF to Word black background in Text blocks
            cookcorec Level 1
            cookcorec Aug 15, 2012 11:18 AM (in response to dave_m_k)

            Disabling OCR made no difference. Black boxes are still there. Though many of the pieces of the document can be ungrouped, the black boxes cannot - so they remain uneditable.

             

            Perhaps seeing what I am attempting to explain may help...

             

            First the Original, then the conversion.

            OrigFlyer.jpg

            Above is the original.

            Below is the conversion:

            ConvertedFlyer.jpg

            • 3. Re: PDF to Word black background in Text blocks
              dave_m_k Adobe Employee
              dave_m_k Employee Aug 16, 2012 1:56 PM (in response to cookcorec)

              Could you open the original PDF file and check File > Properties.  I'd like to know what it says next to 'Application' and 'PDF Producer'.  My guess is that it will say InDesign or Illustrator.

               

              The black boxes are appearing behind text that has a black stroke and a drop-shadow applied to it in the authoring applicaiton.  Word isn't really capable of reproducing both of these effects without using WordArt.  I'm fairly positive that's what we're running into here.

               

              -David