Fix Acrobat 9.5.5 PDFMaker Add-in Error in Office 2013
Question details
The user needs a solution for the PDFMaker Outlook add-in failing to load and displaying a runtime error in Acrobat 9.5.5 after upgrading to Microsoft Office 2013.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2013 / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to load or use the Adobe PDFMaker add-in in Microsoft Office 2013 after completing an application upgrade from Office 2007.
- Observed behavior
- The PDFMaker Outlook add-in fails to load entirely and throws a runtime error instead of providing expected PDF conversion tools.
Verify your current Adobe Acrobat version by opening the program and navigating to Help > About Adobe Acrobat, as add-in integration relies strictly on version compatibility.
Upgrade Adobe Acrobat to a Compatible Version
Since Office 2013 is not supported by Acrobat 9.5.5, upgrading to Acrobat XI (version 11.0.1 or newer) is the official method to restore PDFMaker functionality.
Adobe officially introduced support for Microsoft Office 2013 integration starting with the Acrobat 11.0.1 update. Older versions, including Acrobat 9 and X, lack the necessary architecture to interface with Office 2013, resulting in unavoidable runtime errors.
Purchase or subscribe to Adobe Acrobat XI or a more recent version (like Acrobat DC) through the official Adobe website.
Run the installer for the new version and ensure the software is updated to at least version 11.0.1.
Restart Microsoft Office 2013. Go to File > Options > Add-ins, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage dropdown, click Go, and check the box for Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin.
Use Microsoft Office Native PDF Export
If you cannot upgrade your Acrobat software, utilize Office 2013's built-in PDF export tool as a reliable alternative workflow.
Create and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid expensive software upgrades and plugin compatibility issues entirely. WPS Office is a lightweight, all-in-one suite that features a powerful built-in PDF editor, allowing you to seamlessly create, edit, and convert PDFs without needing external third-party add-ins.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and install the lightweight application on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing text documents, spreadsheets, or presentations directly.
- 3. Export to PDF Instantly: Click 'Menu' and select 'Export to PDF' to generate high-quality PDF files instantly without needing extra plugins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Acrobat PDFMaker add-in show a runtime error in Office 2013?
This occurs because Adobe Acrobat versions 10.x and older (including version 9.5.5) are fundamentally incompatible with Microsoft Office 2013's architecture. The add-in fails to bridge with the newer software, causing the system to trigger a runtime error instead of loading.
Can I apply a patch to force Acrobat 9.5.5 to work with Office 2013?
No, Adobe never released a compatibility patch for Acrobat 9.5.5 to support Office 2013. Official integration was only introduced with Adobe Acrobat XI (version 11.0.1). You must either upgrade your Acrobat software or rely on alternative PDF creation methods.
How can I save Outlook 2013 emails as PDFs without a working PDFMaker add-in?
While you cannot use the direct PDFMaker button, you can save emails by opening the specific email in Outlook, clicking File > Print, and selecting 'Microsoft Print to PDF' from the printer dropdown menu. This will digitally print your email into a standard PDF file.
