Fix Acrobat Adding Extra Characters to Word Running Headers in PDF
Question details
The user needs to prevent extra characters from appearing in PDF running headers when converting a Microsoft Word document using Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 8, Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document that uses StyleRef fields for dynamic headers into a PDF.
- Observed behavior
- During PDF generation, Acrobat appends extra internal reference characters, such as 0B or 8B, to the text in the headers instead of rendering the clean heading text.
Ensure you have access to the original Microsoft Word source document, as the fix requires correcting style names within the file before regenerating the PDF.
Rename the Corrupted Heading Style in Word
Restoring the modified heading style to its standard default name prevents Acrobat from misinterpreting internal style references during PDF conversion.
When Word's StyleRef field code is used to automatically insert heading text into headers, Adobe Acrobat relies on standard style names to process the data correctly.
If a heading style name has been modified or corrupted (for example, changed from 'Heading 1' to 'Heading 1, (103) Heading...'), Acrobat may generate unwanted '0B' or '8B' characters in the final PDF output.
Launch Microsoft Word and open the document that is producing the header errors.
Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon. In the 'Styles' group, click the small dialog box launcher arrow in the bottom right corner to open the Styles pane.
Find the heading style referenced by your header's StyleRef field (e.g., Heading 1 or Heading 2). Right-click the style and select 'Modify'. In the Name field, remove any extra text so it reverts to the standard name like 'Heading 1'.
Click 'OK' to save the style change. Double-click the document header to open it, select the header text, right-click, and choose 'Update Field'. Save your document and export it to PDF again to verify the extra characters are gone.
Export Word to PDF Flawlessly with WPS Office
Avoid third-party plugin glitches and formatting errors by using WPS Office's built-in PDF conversion tool. It accurately processes dynamic fields and headers, ensuring your exported PDF looks exactly like your original document.
- 1. Open the Document in WPS: Launch WPS Writer and open your DOC or DOCX file.
- 2. Access the Export Feature: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, hover over the 'Export to PDF' option, and click it.
- 3. Configure and Export: In the Export to PDF dialog box, choose your desired save location and click the 'Export to PDF' button to generate a clean, error-free PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a StyleRef field in a document?
A StyleRef field is a dynamic code inserted into headers or footers that automatically displays text formatted with a specific style, such as automatically showing the current chapter title or heading on a specific page.
Why do '0B' or '8B' characters appear in my converted PDF?
These characters appear because the PDF conversion engine misinterprets corrupted or modified internal style names (like 'Heading 1, (103) Heading...') referenced by the StyleRef field, printing internal code strings instead of the actual text.
Can I use a different PDF converter to avoid this Acrobat issue?
Yes. If you continue to experience conversion glitches with specific software versions, you can use built-in converters like the 'Export to PDF' feature in WPS Office, which cleanly processes headers and dynamic fields natively.
