Fix Acrobat PDFMaker Not Creating PDFs from Microsoft Word
Question details
The user is unable to create PDFs from Microsoft Word using the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in, despite the feature working correctly in other Office applications.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2013, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to convert a Word document to PDF format using the Acrobat PDFMaker integration.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF creation feature fails to function specifically in Microsoft Word, while working correctly in Outlook, Excel, and web browsers.
Save your current Word document and ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer, as modifying COM add-ins or repairing installations may require admin rights.
Enable the Acrobat PDFMaker COM Add-in in Word
The PDFMaker add-in may have been disabled by Microsoft Word due to a crash or conflict. Re-enabling it is the most common fix.
Microsoft Office applications will sometimes automatically disable third-party add-ins if they cause the program to load slowly or crash unexpectedly. You will need to manually re-enable the Acrobat integration within Word's settings.
Launch Microsoft Word and open a blank document to access the main interface.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Word Options window, select 'Add-ins' from the left sidebar.
At the bottom of the window, ensure 'COM Add-ins' is selected in the 'Manage' dropdown menu, and click the 'Go...' button.
Check the box next to 'Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin' and click 'OK'. Restart Microsoft Word to apply the changes.
Repair Your Adobe Acrobat Installation
If the add-in is enabled but still fails to create PDFs, repairing the Acrobat installation can fix missing or corrupted registry keys.
Verify Compatibility and Update Software
Incompatibility between specific versions of Office 2013 and Acrobat updates can cause integration failures.
Convert Word to PDF Instantly with WPS Office
Skip complicated add-ins and third-party software. WPS Office features a native, built-in PDF converter that allows you to save Word documents directly as high-quality PDFs with a single click.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 2. Click Export to PDF: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Export to PDF' button.
- 3. Customize and Save: Adjust your export settings if needed, then click the 'Export to PDF' button in the dialogue box to save your file instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat PDFMaker work in Excel but not in Word?
This usually happens because the COM add-in specifically for Microsoft Word has been disabled, often due to a sudden program crash or conflicting plugin, while the Excel add-in remains active in its respective program.
Can I save a Word document as a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, you can use the built-in 'Save As' feature in Microsoft Word and choose PDF from the format dropdown. Alternatively, you can use a comprehensive suite like WPS Office which has dedicated, native PDF export tools.
What should I do if the PDFMaker add-in keeps disabling itself?
If Word continuously disables the add-in upon restart, try running Microsoft Word as an Administrator before enabling it. If the issue persists, repairing your Adobe Acrobat installation will usually fix the corrupted integration registry keys.
