Fix Missing Arabic Characters When Converting Word to PDF in Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where specific Arabic characters are omitted when converting a Microsoft Word document to a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2019 / Microsoft Word 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a DOCX file to PDF format.
- Observed behavior
- Arabic characters (such as the letter ش) are missing from the resulting PDF, despite other converters preserving them.
Ensure the Arabic font used in your Word document is fully installed on your system and supports right-to-left layout mapping.
Embed Arabic Fonts in Microsoft Word Before Conversion
Embedding the fonts directly into the document ensures that Acrobat can access the exact Arabic characters and ligatures during the PDF conversion process.
By default, Word may not embed all custom fonts to save file size. Forcing font embedding ensures all characters are preserved regardless of the PDF printer's default font library substitution.
Open your Word document and click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
Select the 'Save' tab from the left-hand menu in the Word Options dialog box.
Scroll down to the 'Preserve fidelity when sharing this document' section and check the box that says 'Embed fonts in the file'.
Uncheck 'Do not embed common system fonts' to ensure that even basic Arabic system fonts are fully packaged within the DOCX file.
Click 'OK', save your document, and open Adobe Acrobat to attempt the PDF conversion again.
Convert using the System 'Print to PDF' Feature
Bypassing the Acrobat Acrobat conversion add-in and using the system print function can sometimes resolve complex font encoding issues.
Test Alternative Arabic Fonts
Outdated versions of specific fonts may lack certain unicode mappings, causing Acrobat to drop specific letters like ش. Changing the font can rule out this issue.
Easily Convert Word to PDF with Arabic Support in WPS Office
WPS Office features a built-in, high-quality PDF converter that perfectly handles right-to-left languages and complex Arabic characters without requiring manual font embedding setups.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your Arabic Word document.
- 2. Access PDF Tools: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Export Options: Click on 'Export to PDF'. Choose your preferred save location and export settings.
- 4. Generate PDF: Click the 'Export' button to instantly generate a flawless PDF with all Arabic characters intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Arabic characters sometimes appear disconnected or reversed when converted to PDF?
This usually happens if the PDF converter does not fully recognize right-to-left text directions or complex font ligatures. Using a native converter that specializes in document formatting, like WPS Office, or ensuring your Word fonts are fully embedded can prevent this.
How can I check if a font is embedded in my PDF?
Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, go to 'File' > 'Properties' (or press Ctrl+D), and click on the 'Fonts' tab. If the font name has '(Embedded)' or '(Embedded Subset)' mentioned next to it, the font is successfully embedded.
Does changing the font fix missing letters in PDF conversions?
Yes. Some custom or older Arabic fonts lack specific unicode mappings for certain letters. Switching to standard fonts like Arial or Tahoma before conversion often resolves missing character issues.
Can I retain high visual quality if I use other PDF printers?
Some generic PDF printers rasterize text (turn text into images) to preserve complex languages, which lowers visual quality and increases file size. Using native, well-supported exporters like the built-in 'Save as PDF' or WPS Office tools ensures the text remains high-quality and searchable.
