Fix Strange Characters and Boxes When Editing PDF Text
Question details
The user is encountering squares with Xs and other incorrect characters instead of normal text when attempting to edit or convert a PDF.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing, adding text to, or converting existing PDF pages that lack properly embedded fonts.
- Observed behavior
- Text rendering fails, producing squares, Xs, and strange characters because the required fonts are missing or not embedded in the file.
Ensure you have the necessary fonts installed on your local computer. Missing or unembedded fonts are the primary reason text turns into strange characters or boxes during PDF editing.
Embed Missing Fonts Using Preflight
Embed the required fonts directly into the PDF document so it renders and edits correctly.
If a PDF was generated without embedding its fonts, any system that doesn't have those fonts installed will struggle to display or edit the text. Using a preflight tool allows you to embed the missing fonts retroactively, provided they are installed on your machine.
Open your PDF editor and go to 'File' > 'Properties' > 'Fonts' to see a list of fonts used in the document and identify which ones are not embedded.
Navigate to 'Tools' > 'Print Production' and select 'Preflight'.
In the Preflight menu, go to 'Fixups' > 'Document', select 'Embed missing fonts', and run the process to embed the fonts into your file.
Recreate Text Using Publishing Software
If you cannot embed the original fonts, recreate the problematic text block in a design or publishing program.
Edit PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
WPS Office features a robust built-in PDF editor that handles text formatting, font substitution, and PDF conversion seamlessly. Avoid font errors and strange characters by using WPS PDF to natively edit or convert your documents.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office, click on 'Open', and select the PDF file that contains the text you want to edit.
- 2. Enter Edit Mode: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab at the top of the workspace and click on 'Edit Text' to make the document elements modifiable.
- 3. Modify and Save: Click on any text block to correct strange characters, change the font, or type new content. Once finished, click 'Menu' > 'Save' to apply your changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see boxes with Xs instead of text in my PDF?
This happens when the PDF utilizes a specific font that is neither embedded within the document file nor installed on your local computer. Because the PDF viewer cannot find the correct font data, it replaces the missing characters with default boxes, Xs, or strange symbols.
Can I fix strange PDF characters without installing new fonts?
Yes. If you cannot obtain the missing font, you can use an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool to scan the document visually and convert it into editable text using standard system fonts.
How do I know which fonts are missing in my PDF?
You can find this information by checking the document properties. In your PDF reader, go to 'File' > 'Properties' and look under the 'Fonts' tab. It will list all the fonts used in the document and indicate whether they are embedded or not.
