14 Replies Latest reply: Jan 24, 2011 3:41 AM by PulkitJ RSS

    Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007

    Randy Bones Community Member

      This problem just got my attention.

      When creating PDF files from PowerPoint 2007, fonts aren't embedded into the resulting PDF.

      This does not happen using Microsofts own Save As --> PDF or XPS

       

      It does however work if I have the fonts installed, but the whole point of embedding fonts into a document or template is that it can be used be others who don't have the particular font.

       

      In Word 2007 another problem arise. Formulas written using Word 2007's built in formula editor makes the PDF come out at streaks or lines instead of the actual formula. According to Microsoft, this happens only when using Windows XP and Office 2007. But also in Windows 7, a figure copied from a powerpoint presentation into a Word document result in the entire figure missing.

       

      Right now, it's the font embedding that's the problem. Sure we can use Save as PDF or XPS, but Adobe's software is standard in our organization and everyone uses it. Question is, is this a known issue? And two, can it be fixed?

        • 1. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
          Bill@VT CommunityMVP

          I suspect that if you check the creator preference, you are using a limited job settings file. Typically it is set to Standard that embeds many fonts, but not all. Some folks use Smallest PDF that embeds NO fonts. Try selecting the Press or Print options. I suspect that is the problem.

          • 2. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
            Randy Bones Community Member

            Are you talking about the default Standard setting? I mean, that's a bit of a problem really, if that is set as default.

            If this indeed is the source of the problem (will check in the morning), is there a way of mass changing these settings? This will probably cause a problem for us, generating a lot of calls from users

            • 3. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
              Bill@VT CommunityMVP

              You will probably have to research the problem some, but I suspect it is a font embedding issue as I recall the problem. That is set by the job settings file. Standard is the default and it will not embed some fonts (typically the Adobe fonts that come with Acrobat). There are also other fonts that will not embed due to licensing restrictions. To check the font embedding, you can check the PDF properties (ctrl-D in Acrobat) and see if any fonts were not embedded. You can also print-to-file with the Adobe PDF printer, then watch the conversion process for font errors in Distiller (where you would open the last printed file for conversion). Depending on your application, it could be an issue. Your first task is to track down the actual problem. If it is solved with the job settings, then you have an issue that may need to be addressed -- or simply provide the users with a memo about how to fix it.

              • 4. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                Randy Bones Community Member

                Ok, just tried the high quality settings and got a text file as output saying it cannot find the font for embedding.

                I do have the font, just not installed, cause I'm trying to simulate how it behaves without the font.

                 

                And that's really the whole point. The font is embedded into the powerpoint template itself. Why can't Adobe just use that?

                What's the point of embedding a font into a document or template if Adobe needs it anyway to output correct PDF?

                • 5. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                  Bill@VT CommunityMVP

                  It may be the font is restricted from embedding. If so that is a font issue. If you can post an example of what you are talking about, that might help.

                  • 6. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                    Randy Bones Community Member

                    The font isn't restricted from embedding. It's working in Word templates and even the PowerPoint templates, just not when creating PDFs using the PDF features built into Acrobat 9. And it does work when the font is installed, or using Microsofts "Save as PDF or XPS".

                    But the font is embedded into the PowerPoint 2007 templates so that external users who don't have the font installed can edit, save and print the documents as well as sending them back to the original owner.

                     

                    More details:

                     

                    OS: Windows XP SP3 (Haven't tested Win7 yet)

                    Adobe Acrobat 9 Std and Pro (haven't tried earlier versions)

                    Font: TrueType font, no restrictions

                     

                    PowerPoint 2007:

                    Exporting PDF from PDF Printer, and Save to PDF in the toolbar(ribbon) in PowerPoint 2007.

                    Font installed: No errors

                    Font not installed: No embedding of fonts in resulting PDF (even if the hq settings are selected)

                    Save to PDF or XPS (Microsofts): No errors, with or without font installed.

                     

                    I would assume this issue is known? I know Office 2007 has a lot of problems and bugs, but one would assume that Adobe was aware of the changes in Office 2007 and find a way around the issues.

                    • 7. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                      Bill@VT CommunityMVP

                      Check the printer options. I suspect you have the font box checked (3rd one down) as I do and that is the problem. This menu is found in the printer properties under Printing Preferences on the first tab.

                       

                      Clipboard01.jpg

                      • 8. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                        Randy Bones Community Member

                        This does fix the problem it seems. But why is this option even there? Why would one only want to use system fonts as default? It's always the other way around. Is there a way of mass changing this for thousands of users? This is one of the most ridiculous options I have ever seen in a user interface.

                        If the option had NOT been checked as default, that'd be ok.

                        • 9. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                          Randy Bones Community Member

                          This problem again. Just installed Acrobat X and this issue is just as bad, maybe even worse. Now, font embedding only works when I print directly to the PDF printer. Using the "Create PDF" from the toolbar ribbon in PowerPoint 2007 doesn't do anything. Even though the ridiculous checkbox "Rely on system fonts only, do not use document fonts" is unchecked in the PDF printer settings.

                          • 10. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                            Bill@VT CommunityMVP

                            When you use PDF Maker, you have to set the job settings there separately for some reason. That may be your issue. Why it is the default? I have no idea. That creates a problem for distributions that it sounds like you are doing. Sorry, do not have an answer for that issue.

                            • 11. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                              Randy Bones Community Member

                              Well, I can't find any setting using Create PDF from the Acrobat tab. I can only find it in Adobe PDF Printer settings. And those doesn't affect the results when creating PDFs from the Acrobat tab.

                              • 12. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                                PulkitJ Adobe Employee

                                While creating PDF using the Create PDF button in the Acrobat Ribbon in PowerPoint, Acrobat won't be able to pick up fonts embedded in the PowerPoint template. It should be at least present in the system if not installed.

                                 

                                Add the folder which contains the font. It can be done by launching Acrobat Distiller. Then go to Settings->Font Locations... and then add the folder. Click on OK. Now try to create PDF in PowerPoint.

                                • 13. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                                  Randy Bones Community Member

                                  Why isn't Acrobat able to pick up fonts embedded into a PowerPoint

                                  presentation? Isn't that the whole point of embedding fonts? It works in

                                  Word, why not PowerPoint?

                                  Clients can't have the font because it's specifically designed and paid for.

                                  That's why we use embedding.

                                  • 14. Re: Problems with Adobe PDF creator and Office 2007
                                    PulkitJ Adobe Employee

                                    Hi

                                     

                                    It is not possible with Word as well. The intermediate format we get from Office API doesn't support embedded fonts. As a result the final PDF also doesn't have the embedded fonts not present on the system.