Fix Missing Footer Images When Converting Word to PDF in Acrobat DC
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where an image placed in the footer of a Microsoft Word document disappears after converting the file to PDF using Adobe Acrobat DC.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document containing footer images into a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting PDF document is completely missing the images that were originally placed in the footer of the Word document.
Ensure that both your Microsoft Office application and Adobe Acrobat DC are updated to their latest versions to rule out any known compatibility bugs with the PDFMaker add-in.
Use Alternative PDF Export Methods in Word
If the default Adobe PDFMaker add-in fails to capture the footer image, using Microsoft Word's native PDF export features can often bypass the rendering issue.
Different conversion tools process background elements, headers, and footers differently. By switching the export method, you can force the application to render the footer images correctly.
Open your Word document, click on 'File', select 'Save As', and choose 'PDF' from the file format dropdown menu before clicking 'Save'.
Navigate to 'File' and select 'Print'. In the printer selection dropdown menu, choose 'Adobe PDF' or 'Microsoft Print to PDF', then click the 'Print' button to generate the file.
Verify Footer Image Formatting and Wrapping
Incorrect text wrapping or image anchoring settings in the Word footer can cause graphical elements to be dropped during PDF conversion.
Update and Re-enable the Adobe PDFMaker Add-in
Outdated software or a misconfigured Acrobat PDFMaker add-in can lead to elements being ignored during the Word to PDF workflow.
Convert Word to PDF Flawlessly with WPS Office
If you continue experiencing missing images and formatting errors when converting files using third-party add-ins, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that comes with a built-in, highly accurate PDF converter. Enjoy seamless document creation and conversion with no steep learning curve and perfect format preservation.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word document that contains the footer images.
- 3. Export Directly to PDF: Click on the 'Export to PDF' button located in the top toolbar to generate a flawless PDF file with all formatting retained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do images disappear when converting from Word to PDF?
Images often disappear during PDF conversion due to incompatible text wrapping settings, the image being anchored outside the printable margin, or outdated PDF conversion add-ins failing to process background and footer elements correctly.
Does text wrapping affect PDF conversion in Microsoft Word?
Yes. If an image in the header or footer is set to certain floating text wrapping styles, the PDF conversion tool might ignore it. Setting the image to 'In Line with Text' usually resolves rendering issues.
How do I check my Adobe Acrobat DC version to ensure it is updated?
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. To ensure you have the latest features and bug fixes, you can also select 'Check for Updates' from the same 'Help' menu.
Can I convert a Word document to PDF without using Adobe Acrobat?
Absolutely. You can use Word's native 'Save As' feature and select PDF as the format, use the 'Microsoft Print to PDF' virtual printer, or switch to an all-in-one suite like WPS Office which offers a highly accurate, built-in PDF export capability.
