Fix Word Markups Missing When Creating PDF with Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to retain Word comments and markups when converting a Word document to a PDF file using the Adobe Acrobat plug-in.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Word document containing track changes and comments to a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- The Adobe Acrobat Create PDF plug-in fails to include comments and markups in the final PDF, despite Microsoft Word being configured to show them.
Ensure that you have saved the latest version of your Word document and that track changes or comments are currently set to be visible on your screen before attempting the PDF conversion.
Configure Acrobat PDFMaker Markup Settings
Verify and adjust the Adobe Acrobat add-in preferences in Word to ensure document markups and comments are explicitly included during the PDF conversion.
By default, the Acrobat plug-in might be set to ignore Word comments to create a cleaner PDF layout. You need to manually instruct the PDFMaker to convert these elements.
Navigate to the Acrobat tab located on the Microsoft Word ribbon and click on 'Preferences'.
In the Acrobat PDFMaker Settings dialog box, locate the settings and ensure that the option to 'Convert Word Comments to PDF Comments' or 'Include Document Markups' is checked.
Click 'Create PDF' from the Acrobat tab to generate the file, then open the resulting PDF to verify if the markups are now visible.
Use the Print to PDF Alternative
Bypass the Acrobat Create PDF plug-in by using the built-in Print to PDF function in Word, which reliably preserves visible markups.
Export Word to PDF with Markups Using WPS Office
WPS Office provides a built-in, highly compatible PDF conversion tool that accurately preserves all your document comments, track changes, and markups without needing third-party plug-ins like Adobe Acrobat.
- 1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your Word document containing the markups and comments.
- 2. Show Markups: Go to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon and ensure that comments and track changes are set to display on the screen.
- 3. Select Export to PDF: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, then select 'Export to PDF'.
- 4. Configure Export Options: In the export dialog box, check the advanced settings to ensure the option to export comments or document markups is enabled.
- 5. Save the PDF File: Choose your desired destination folder and click 'Export' to generate your PDF with all track changes and markups intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my tracked changes not showing in the final PDF?
This usually happens if the 'Print Markup' option is disabled in your document's print settings, or if the PDF creation plug-in isn't configured to read Word's track changes. Checking these preferences ensures they carry over during conversion.
Can I export Word comments as interactive pop-ups in the PDF?
Yes, when using Acrobat PDFMaker, checking 'Convert Word Comments to PDF Comments' in the preferences will turn your Word comments into interactive sticky notes in the resulting PDF file rather than static margin text.
What if I don't have Adobe Acrobat installed at all?
You can still preserve markups by using Word's built-in 'Save As' > 'PDF' feature or the 'Microsoft Print to PDF' option. Just click 'Options' in the Save As dialog and ensure 'Document showing markups' is selected under what to publish.
