Fix Runtime Error 5 When Creating a PDF from Microsoft Word
Question details
The user encounters a 'Runtime Error 5' when attempting to create a PDF file from Microsoft Word using the Acrobat tab.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a PDF document via the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in inside Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word throws a 'Runtime Error 5: Invalid procedure call or argument' and fails to generate the PDF.
Save your current Word document and ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer, as you may need to repair software installations or modify COM add-ins.
Update and Repair Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
Outdated or corrupted software components can cause conflicts between Word and Acrobat. Updating and repairing both applications is the most effective way to resolve this error.
Software updates often contain patches for known compatibility issues between Microsoft Office and third-party add-ins like Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker.
Open Word, navigate to 'File' > 'Account', click on 'Update Options', and select 'Update Now'.
Open Adobe Acrobat, go to the 'Help' menu, and select 'Check for Updates'.
Open Windows Settings, go to 'Apps' > 'Installed apps', locate Microsoft Office, click the three dots, select 'Modify', and choose 'Quick Repair' or 'Online Repair'.
Open Adobe Acrobat, click on 'Help', and select 'Repair Installation'. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Restart your computer to apply all changes, then open Word and attempt to create the PDF again.
Manage COM Add-ins and Re-enable PDFMaker
Conflicts with other active Word add-ins or a disabled PDFMaker add-in can trigger Runtime Error 5.
Use the 'Create PDF' Tool in Adobe Acrobat
If the Word add-in continues to fail, you can bypass the Word interface entirely and pull the document directly into Acrobat.
Export Word Documents to PDF Instantly with WPS Office
Avoid add-in errors and third-party software conflicts by using WPS Office. Our built-in Word-to-PDF converter lets you save your documents directly to high-quality PDF format in just a few clicks, without needing separate Acrobat add-ins.
- 1. Open Document in WPS: Launch WPS Writer and open the Word document you want to convert.
- 2. Access Export Menu: Click on the 'Menu' button located in the top-left corner of the interface.
- 3. Select Export to PDF: Choose 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 4. Save as PDF: Adjust your export settings if necessary, select your destination folder, and click 'Export to PDF'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Runtime Error 5 occur only when using the Acrobat tab?
This error specifically targets the Acrobat PDFMaker COM Add-in, which facilitates PDF creation within Word. A corrupted add-in, conflicting third-party plugins, or mismatched bit versions between Office and Acrobat can trigger this invalid procedure call.
Does the native 'Save As PDF' option in Word cause Runtime Error 5?
Usually, no. The Microsoft Word native 'Save As' > 'PDF' feature operates independently of Adobe Acrobat's PDFMaker add-in. If the Acrobat tab fails, using 'Save As PDF' is a reliable built-in workaround.
How do I check if my Word and Acrobat bit versions match?
In Word, go to File > Account > About Word to see if it is 32-bit or 64-bit. In Acrobat, go to Help > About Adobe Acrobat. For seamless add-in integration, both applications should be installed on the same bit architecture.
