Fix "Skipped - Not a PDF" Error When Bulk Printing PDF Portfolios
Question details
The user is unable to bulk print all PDFs contained within a PDF portfolio, receiving an error that the files are not PDFs.
- Product
- PDF Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to batch print multiple PDF files contained within a single PDF portfolio container.
- Observed behavior
- The system throws a "Skipped - Not a PDF; cannot print with Adobe" error during bulk printing, although individual files can be printed successfully.
Ensure your printer drivers are up to date and verify that all files within the portfolio are actually standard PDF documents, as portfolios can sometimes contain non-PDF file types like Word or Excel documents.
Extract Files from the Portfolio and Batch Print
Extracting the PDFs from the portfolio wrapper ensures the printer spooler processes them as standard PDF files, bypassing the portfolio compatibility error.
PDF portfolios are essentially containers that hold multiple files. When you send the entire container to the printer, the software may fail to parse the wrapper correctly. Extracting the files to a local folder removes this wrapper.
Launch your PDF reader and open the PDF portfolio file that is causing the printing error.
Navigate to the portfolio's file list or attachment panel, click on one of the files, and press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) to select all documents.
Right-click the selected files and choose "Extract from Portfolio", or drag and drop the selected files into a newly created folder on your desktop.
Open the folder containing the extracted PDFs, select all of them, right-click, and select "Print" from the context menu to send them directly to your default printer.
Merge Portfolio Files into a Single Standard PDF
Converting the separate portfolio files into a single, continuous PDF document eliminates the complex portfolio structure that causes printing errors.
Batch Print and Merge PDFs Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides robust PDF tools that allow you to easily merge multiple PDF files into a single document or batch print them without dealing with complex portfolio errors.
- 1. Download and Install: Download and install WPS Office on your computer, then open the application.
- 2. Access PDF Tools: Go to the "PDF" tab in the main interface to access the suite of PDF editing tools.
- 3. Select Merge PDF: Click on "Merge PDF" and select the files you previously extracted from your portfolio.
- 4. Combine Files: Arrange your files in the correct order and click "Merge" to combine them into one standard PDF.
- 5. Print the Document: Go to "Menu" > "Print" to print the entire combined document seamlessly without errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get a "Not a PDF" error when printing a portfolio?
PDF portfolios act as a container or "wrapper" that can hold various file types (like Word, Excel, or images) alongside PDFs. If the print spooler or PDF software encounters a non-standard file structure or a non-PDF file within the wrapper during a bulk print command, it triggers this error.
Can I print a PDF portfolio without extracting the files?
It depends on your PDF software. Some advanced PDF readers have a dedicated "Print All" feature for portfolios, but errors are still common depending on how the portfolio was created. If you encounter errors, extracting the files or merging them into a standard PDF is the most reliable workaround.
Are PDF portfolios fully supported in all PDF readers?
No, PDF portfolios are a proprietary feature originally heavily utilized by Adobe. Many third-party PDF readers can only view the cover sheet or allow you to extract the attachments. Standardizing your documents by merging them into a single PDF is recommended for maximum compatibility and easier printing.
