Fix Outlook PDF Conversion Missing Image Attachments (Acrobat PDFMaker)
Question details
Users need a solution or workaround for when Acrobat PDFMaker fails to include JPG and GIF image attachments while converting received Outlook emails into PDFs.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker, Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Converting received Outlook emails containing image attachments (specifically JPG and GIF) into PDF files using the Adobe PDFMaker add-in.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting PDF successfully includes the email body and formats like PNG, PDF, and DOCX, but entirely omits JPG and GIF attachments.
Ensure both Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Acrobat are updated to their latest versions, as this is a known compatibility bug affecting specific image formats during the add-in conversion process.
Use Outlook Print to PDF and Export Attachments Manually
Bypass the buggy PDFMaker add-in by manually extracting your image attachments and printing the email body to a PDF document.
Since this is a longstanding compatibility issue between Outlook and Acrobat, the safest workaround is to process the text and the attachments separately. This ensures no data is lost during the conversion.
Open the target email in Outlook. Right-click the JPG or GIF attachments and select 'Save All Attachments' to download them to a local folder on your computer.
With the email open, go to 'File' > 'Print'. Under the Printer dropdown menu, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' and click 'Print' to save the email text body as a separate PDF file.
If you require a single document or portfolio, use a standard PDF editor to merge the newly created email PDF with your safely downloaded JPG and GIF images.
Check Add-in Status and Update Software
Ensure both software programs are running the latest versions and that the add-in is properly enabled to rule out patched bugs.
Request Images in PNG Format
If you frequently receive files from known contacts, asking them to send images as PNGs avoids the bug entirely.
Experience Seamless Document and PDF Management with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with Microsoft Office compatibility bugs and expensive third-party PDF add-ins? Switch to WPS Office, a powerful and lightweight alternative that comes with an integrated PDF toolkit. It seamlessly handles your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF needs in one familiar workspace.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen prompts to install the suite on your PC.
- 3. Open and Edit: Launch WPS Office to instantly open your Office files or edit PDFs without needing separate, uncooperative plugins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat PDFMaker skip JPG and GIF files in Outlook?
This is a known, long-standing compatibility bug between Acrobat PDFMaker and Microsoft Outlook. It specifically affects received JPG and GIF attachments during the conversion process, while mysteriously allowing PNGs and standard document files to pass through.
Do sent emails experience the same missing attachment issue?
No. User tests consistently indicate that when converting emails from your 'Sent Items' folder to PDF using the Acrobat add-in, JPG and GIF attachments are typically included without any issues.
Can I fix this missing attachment error by changing Outlook security settings?
Usually, no. While certain Outlook security restrictions can block specific attachments, this specific PDFMaker bug ignores JPGs and GIFs even when no restrictions are applied. This is proven by the fact that PNG attachments convert correctly under the exact same security settings.
What is the most reliable way to save an Outlook email with images as a PDF?
The most reliable workaround is to manually right-click and save the attachments to a local folder, use the native 'Microsoft Print to PDF' feature for the email text body, and then combine the printed PDF with the saved images using a PDF editor.
