File Format & Compatibility

Fix Unexpected Characters When Converting Hebrew Word Documents to PDF

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where converting a Hebrew Word document to PDF results in unexpected, altered, or gibberish characters, despite the document displaying correctly for other users.

How to Fix Unexpected Characters When Converting Hebrew Word Documents to PDF

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting or saving a Word document containing right-to-left (RTL) Hebrew text as a PDF file.
Observed behavior: The resulting PDF displays changed or incorrect Hebrew characters, usually on the leftmost side, while the original English text and the Word document itself appear perfectly normal.

Before you start

Verify that your system has the correct Hebrew language packs and fonts installed, and check if the PDF displays incorrectly across multiple PDF readers (like Adobe Acrobat vs. a web browser).

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Print to PDF Instead of Save As

Bypass Word's built-in PDF export engine by using the virtual 'Microsoft Print to PDF' printer, which handles font rendering differently and often resolves right-to-left language glitches.

Sometimes the native 'Save as PDF' or 'Export' function in Microsoft Word struggles with complex scripts or custom right-to-left fonts. Using a virtual printer forces the system to render the visual output exactly as it would on paper, preserving the correct characters.

Open the Print Menu

Open your Hebrew document in Microsoft Word and navigate to 'File' > 'Print' (or press Ctrl + P).

Select the Virtual Printer

In the 'Printer' dropdown menu, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF'.

Print and Save

Click the 'Print' button. A dialogue box will appear asking where to save the file. Choose your destination, name the file, and click 'Save'.

Use Microsoft Print to PDF Instead of Save As

Tip: If 'Microsoft Print to PDF' is missing from your printer list, you can enable it in Windows by going to 'Turn Windows features on or off' in the Control Panel.

Solution 2

Embed Fonts in the Word Document

Embedding fonts ensures that the specific Hebrew font used in your document is packaged into the file, preventing substitution errors during PDF conversion.

Solution 3

Try an Alternative PDF Converter

If Word's native tools continue to fail, using a dedicated third-party PDF converter can process the text encoding accurately.

Built-in PDF Converter

Convert Hebrew Word Documents to PDF Flawlessly with WPS Office

WPS Office offers a robust, built-in PDF converter that accurately renders complex scripts, right-to-left text, and custom fonts without altering characters. It natively supports Microsoft Word formats and ensures what you see is exactly what you get.

1. Open your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your Hebrew Word document.
2. Access the Export Tool: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Export to PDF'.
3. Configure and Export: Review the export settings in the dialog box, ensure your save path is correct, and click 'Export' to generate a flawless PDF.

Accurate rendering of right-to-left languages like Hebrew and ArabicPerfect compatibility with Microsoft Word documents (.doc and .docx)Built-in, high-quality PDF exporter requiring no third-party pluginsFree, lightweight, and fast performance across multiple operating systems

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF show gibberish characters after conversion?

This usually happens due to missing fonts on the system performing the conversion, or a failure in the software's encoding engine to properly translate right-to-left text. Embedding the fonts before exporting often resolves this.

Can the PDF reader affect how Hebrew text is displayed?

Yes. Some basic PDF viewers or built-in web browser readers might struggle to render complex scripts or embedded fonts correctly. Always test your PDF using a standard reader like Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF.

How do I fix right-to-left text alignment flipping in PDF?

Ensure that the paragraph direction is explicitly set to Right-to-Left (RTL) in your word processor's formatting settings, rather than just aligning the text to the right side of the page.

Why does the document convert perfectly on another computer?

The other computer likely has the specific fonts installed locally, or it is using a different default printer/PDF export engine that processes the Hebrew language encoding correctly.

Document & File Issues