Fix Italic Font Missing or Incorrect When Exporting to PDF
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where italic text loses its formatting or turns into symbols during PDF conversion.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat X
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Exporting a document containing specific italicized fonts (such as Gotham) from applications like Word or FileMaker to PDF.
- Observed behavior
- The italic text displays correctly in the source application but is missing, converted to random symbols, or stripped of its italic formatting in the exported PDF document.
Ensure that the specific italic font variant (e.g., Gotham Italic) is fully installed on your Windows system, and save a backup copy of your original document before testing new export methods.
Update Software and Create PDF Directly via Application
Updating your PDF software and bypassing virtual printer drivers by using the native 'Create PDF' feature often resolves font embedding conflicts.
Font embedding errors frequently occur due to outdated software or bugs in the virtual PDF printer. Generating the PDF directly within the PDF application handles font encoding much more reliably.
Open your PDF application (such as Acrobat), navigate to the 'Help' menu, and select 'Check for Updates'. Install any pending patches.
Restart your Windows 10 computer to ensure the font registry and software updates are correctly loaded into the system.
Instead of printing to PDF from Word or FileMaker, open your PDF software, go to 'File', select 'Create PDF', and choose your source document to convert it directly.
Test with a Modern PDF Application
Older, unsupported software versions often lack compatibility with newer operating systems, causing text encoding failures during PDF creation.
Export to PDF without Losing Font Formatting in WPS Office
WPS Office offers a built-in, highly reliable PDF converter that perfectly embeds system fonts, including italics and custom typefaces, ensuring your exported PDFs look exactly like your original documents.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the document that contains the custom or italicized fonts.
- 2. Access the Export feature: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Configure settings: In the pop-up window, choose your desired save location and select standard quality to ensure optimal font rendering.
- 4. Export and verify: Click the 'Export to PDF' button. Once finished, open the PDF to confirm that all text, including italics, is flawlessly preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fonts change or disappear when I save a document as a PDF?
Fonts can change or disappear if the specific font (or its specific italic/bold variant) is not embedded during the conversion process, or if the PDF creation software lacks compatibility with the operating system's font rendering engine.
How do I ensure custom fonts are embedded in my PDF?
When exporting to PDF, check your application's settings or preferences. Look for 'Font Embedding' options and ensure it is set to embed all fonts used in the document.
Does WPS Office support exporting custom fonts to PDF?
Yes, WPS Office natively supports exporting documents to PDF while retaining the exact custom fonts, spacing, and formatting applied in the original document, including specialized italic variants.
Why does my PDF display random symbols instead of text?
This typically indicates a font encoding error during the PDF creation process. It is frequently caused by using outdated, unsupported PDF generation software on a newer operating system like Windows 10.
