Fix Acrobat Pro 2017 Slow PDF Conversion for Large Word Documents
Question details
The user is experiencing significant performance delays when converting large Word documents to PDF using Acrobat Pro 2017.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 and Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting Word documents larger than 10 MB into PDF format.
- Observed behavior
- The conversion process takes an unusually long time to complete, despite having the latest updates installed for both software applications.
Ensure you have saved a backup copy of your large Word document to a local drive before altering conversion settings or disabling add-ins.
Optimize File Location and Use Acrobat PDFMaker
Converting files directly from network drives or using the standard print function can cause slowdowns. Using local storage and PDFMaker improves performance.
Network latency and cloud synchronization can heavily impact the PDF conversion engine. Moving files locally ensures Acrobat has uninterrupted access to the document data.
Additionally, the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in is specifically designed to handle complex Word structures better than the standard 'Print to PDF' virtual printer.
Copy the large Word document from any network drive, OneDrive, or SharePoint location, and paste it directly onto your local Desktop or Documents folder.
Open the local document in Microsoft Word. Navigate to the 'Acrobat' tab on the ribbon and click 'Create PDF' instead of using 'File > Print > Adobe PDF'.
If the file is exceptionally large (e.g., hundreds of pages with high-res images), consider splitting the document into two or three smaller chapters, converting them individually, and then combining the PDFs in Acrobat later.
Disable Conflicting Word Add-ins and Check Antivirus
Third-party Word add-ins and active antivirus scans can intercept the conversion process, causing massive delays.
Use WPS Office for Lightning-Fast Word to PDF Conversions
Skip the heavy third-party plugins. WPS Office features a native, lightweight PDF converter that handles large Word documents seamlessly without the performance lags associated with external add-ins.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your large Word document.
- 2. Export to PDF: Go to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Export to PDF' button.
- 3. Configure and Save: Adjust your export settings if needed (such as image quality or page range), then click 'Export' to generate your PDF instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Pro 2017 struggle with large Word files?
Large Word documents often contain high-resolution images, complex formatting, embedded fonts, or objects that overwhelm the conversion engine. Network lag or conflicting background processes can also exacerbate the slowdown.
Is 'Print to PDF' faster than using the Acrobat tab in Word?
Sometimes 'Print to PDF' is faster because it bypasses creating complex structural tags, bookmarks, and hyperlinks. However, the Acrobat PDFMaker (the Acrobat tab) creates much richer, accessible PDFs. If PDFMaker hangs, trying 'Print to PDF' is a good troubleshooting step.
How can I reduce the file size of my Word document before conversion?
You can compress images within Word before converting. Select any picture in your document, go to 'Picture Format' > 'Compress Pictures', uncheck 'Apply only to this picture', choose a lower resolution (like Print or Web), and click OK.
Does saving my file on OneDrive or a network drive slow down PDF conversion?
Yes. Converting files directly from a network location or active cloud sync folder can cause severe performance drops because data is being continuously uploaded/downloaded during the conversion process. Always copy the file to a local drive first.
