How to Restore the Missing Adobe Acrobat Add-in in Word and Outlook
Question details
The user needs to restore the Adobe Acrobat add-in that has disappeared from Microsoft Word and Outlook.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The issue occurred immediately after updating Adobe Acrobat Pro to version 17.011.30.190.
- Observed behavior
- The Adobe Acrobat tab and its associated PDF tools are missing from the Microsoft Word and Outlook ribbon interface.
Ensure you save your current work and close all running instances of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat before troubleshooting the add-in settings.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Re-enable the COM Add-in
This is the recommended solution as the missing add-in is a known issue resolved in later updates of Adobe Acrobat.
Adobe has released patches to address compatibility issues with Microsoft Office. Updating to the latest release ensures the add-in components are properly registered.
Open Adobe Acrobat, click on 'Help' in the top menu, and select 'Check for Updates'. Install the latest available release (version 17.011.30194 or later). Once updated, close Adobe Acrobat.
Launch Microsoft Word or Outlook. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, select 'Options' at the bottom, and then click on 'Add-ins' in the left sidebar.
At the bottom of the Add-ins window, locate the 'Manage' dropdown menu. Select 'COM Add-ins' from the list and click the 'Go...' button.
Look for 'Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin' in the list. Check the box next to it and click 'OK'. The Adobe Acrobat tab should now reappear on your ribbon.
Repair the Adobe Acrobat Installation
Use this method if the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in does not appear in the COM Add-ins list at all.
Enjoy Native PDF Integration with WPS Office
Forget about troubleshooting missing third-party add-ins. WPS Office is a free, lightweight Microsoft Office alternative that includes a powerful built-in PDF toolkit. You can effortlessly read, edit, and convert PDF documents natively.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free suite on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents seamlessly.
- 3. Convert Natively: Click Menu > Export to PDF to generate high-quality PDFs instantly, with no extra add-ins required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Adobe Acrobat add-in keep disappearing in Word?
Microsoft Office may automatically disable add-ins if it detects that they are slowing down the startup process of the application. You can force it to stay enabled by managing your COM Add-ins settings.
What should I do if the Acrobat add-in is listed under Disabled Items?
Go to File > Options > Add-ins. In the Manage dropdown, select 'Disabled Items' and click 'Go'. Select the Adobe Acrobat add-in, click 'Enable', and then restart your Office application.
Do I need an add-in to save a Word document as a PDF?
No. Most modern office suites, including WPS Office and Microsoft Word, have a built-in 'Save As PDF' or 'Export to PDF' feature that does not require Adobe Acrobat to be installed.
