Fix Excel Images and Shapes Missing When Converting to PDF with Acrobat
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where images and shapes disappear during Excel to PDF conversion via Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting Excel 2016 worksheets containing inserted images and shapes into PDF format using the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in.
- Observed behavior
- The generated PDF file is missing the images and shapes present in the original spreadsheet, an issue that started occurring after recent software updates.
Ensure you have saved the latest version of your Excel workbook to avoid data loss, and verify your current versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
Use Excel's Built-in 'Create PDF/XPS' Feature
Bypass the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in entirely by using Excel's native PDF export tool, which is confirmed to preserve images and shapes correctly.
This issue is often caused by compatibility bugs between specific updates of Excel and the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in. Since Excel's native engine handles the rendering differently, it successfully includes all graphical elements in the final document.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Excel ribbon, then select 'Export' from the left-hand menu.
Click on the 'Create PDF/XPS Document' button in the center pane.
Choose your desired save location, ensure 'PDF' is selected in the 'Save as type' dropdown, and click 'Publish'. Review the resulting PDF to confirm the images and shapes are intact.
Update Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat
Install the latest patches for both Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat to resolve known compatibility bugs causing image loss.
Convert Spreadsheets to PDF Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you are tired of dealing with third-party add-in bugs and missing images when converting files, switch to WPS Office. It includes a built-in, highly reliable PDF converter that perfectly preserves all charts, shapes, and images from your spreadsheets without needing Adobe Acrobat.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel (.xlsx) file containing the images and shapes.
- 3. Export to PDF: Click on 'Menu', select 'Export to PDF', and save your document. All images and shapes will be perfectly preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are images missing when I use Acrobat PDFMaker in Excel?
This is typically caused by a software compatibility bug between specific versions of Microsoft Excel 2016 and the Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker add-in, often triggered by a recent update to either software.
Does Excel's native 'Save as PDF' feature keep shapes and images?
Yes, using Excel's built-in 'Save As' > 'PDF' or 'Export' > 'Create PDF/XPS' function bypasses the third-party add-in and consistently preserves all images, charts, and shapes in the output file.
Can I fix the Acrobat add-in without using the workaround?
You can try fixing the add-in by checking for the latest software updates for both Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office. If a patch addressing the bug has been released, installing it will resolve the issue directly.
