Fix Acrobat XI Losing Graphics When Creating PDFs from Word
Question details
Users are experiencing an issue where graphics and other content disappear during the conversion of a Microsoft Word document to a PDF file.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a PDF file from a Microsoft Word document containing graphics using Acrobat XI Pro or the Acrobat tab within Word.
- Observed behavior
- The generated PDF file is missing graphics and content, even though the same document converts perfectly using Word's native PDF export feature or older Acrobat versions like Acrobat X.
Before troubleshooting, create a new blank Word document, insert a single image, and try converting it to PDF to determine if the issue is specific to your original file's content or a system-wide Acrobat plugin issue.
Install the Latest Updates for Office and Acrobat
Software bugs causing compatibility issues between Microsoft Word and the Acrobat XI plugin are often patched in official updates.
Compatibility between Microsoft Office and Acrobat XI relies heavily on the latest patches from both Microsoft and Adobe. Running outdated versions of either software can lead to processing errors where visual elements are dropped during the PDF rendering process.
Open Adobe Acrobat XI. Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the on-screen prompts to install any available patches.
Open Microsoft Word. Navigate to 'File' > 'Account' (or 'Office Account'). Under Product Information, click 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now'.
After both updates are successfully installed, restart your computer. Open your Word document and attempt the PDF conversion again using the Acrobat tab.
Use Word's Native PDF Export Feature
Bypass the Acrobat XI plugin entirely by utilizing Microsoft Word's built-in PDF creation tool, which reliably preserves graphics.
Convert Word to PDF Seamlessly with WPS Office
If Acrobat XI continues to drop graphics from your documents, try WPS Office. WPS Office features a highly reliable, built-in PDF converter that perfectly preserves your original graphics, formatting, and layout without the need for third-party plugins.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your Microsoft Word document within WPS Writer.
- 2. Access PDF Export: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Export to PDF'.
- 3. Configure Options: Select your desired export path and review the export options. You can choose to export standard or picture-only PDFs.
- 4. Export the File: Click the 'Export to PDF' button. Your document will be converted instantly with all graphics perfectly intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do graphics disappear only when using Acrobat XI and not Acrobat X?
This is often caused by a specific plugin bug or compatibility conflict introduced in Acrobat XI that fails to correctly parse certain graphic layers from Microsoft Word. Older versions like Acrobat X or Word's native engine use different rendering methods that bypass this specific bug.
Will changing the Acrobat print settings fix the missing graphics?
Sometimes. Changing your Adobe PDF printer settings to 'High Quality Print' instead of 'Standard', or unchecking 'Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts' in the Adobe PDF printer preferences can occasionally resolve graphic rendering issues.
What should I do if the graphics still disappear after using Word's Save As PDF option?
If graphics disappear even with Word's native export, the issue is likely within the Word document itself. The image may be corrupted, placed in an unsupported formatting layer (like heavily layered text boxes), or the 'Print drawings created in Word' option might be disabled in Word's display/print options.
