Fix Word to PDF Font Spacing & Corrupted Text in Acrobat
Question details
The user is experiencing irregular font spacing and corrupted text when converting a Word document to a PDF file.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2007, Adobe Acrobat XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Word document to PDF using Adobe Acrobat XI or the Word PDFMaker toolbar, particularly when the document contains VRINDA or GEETLI__.PFB fonts and justified paragraphs.
- Observed behavior
- Text using the VRINDA font shows unusual spacing in justified paragraphs, and text formatted with the GEETLI__.PFB font becomes corrupted in the resulting PDF.
Ensure you have a backup copy of your original Word document and verify whether the fonts causing the issue (such as VRINDA and GEETLI) are properly installed and licensed on your current system.
Replace Legacy Fonts with Unicode OpenType Fonts
Legacy fonts like .PFB often lack proper embedding support in modern PDF converters. Replacing them with updated OpenType fonts ensures rendering consistency.
Acrobat XI and later versions enforce strict font embedding rules. Older PostScript Type 1 fonts (.PFB) or outdated TrueType fonts may not translate correctly during conversion, resulting in corrupted characters.
Open your document in Microsoft Word and highlight the text currently using the GEETLI__.PFB or VRINDA font.
Navigate to the Home tab. In the Font group, select a standard Unicode OpenType or modern TrueType font (such as Arial, Times New Roman, or a modern replacement for Vrinda) from the dropdown menu.
Save the changes to your Word document and attempt the PDF conversion again using the Acrobat PDFMaker toolbar or 'Create PDF from File' option.
Change Paragraph Alignment to Left-Aligned
Modifying the paragraph alignment acts as a quick workaround for spacing issues, as justified text forces irregular gaps between words when kerning metrics fail to convert.
Embed Fonts Manually in PDF Settings
Forcing Acrobat to embed all fonts ensures that the specific spacing metrics of the original fonts are included in the final file.
Use WPS Office for Flawless Word to PDF Conversion
WPS Office features a built-in, highly compatible PDF engine that bypasses third-party plugin issues. It seamlessly handles complex fonts and justified paragraph layouts, ensuring your document looks exactly the same in PDF format as it does in the word processor.
- 1. Open your document in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open the Word document that is causing PDF spacing issues.
- 2. Access the export tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner or go to the 'Tools' tab on the ribbon.
- 3. Select Export to PDF: Click 'Export to PDF'. A dialog box will appear allowing you to customize your export settings.
- 4. Export and save: Ensure the output path is correct and click 'Export to PDF'. WPS will natively generate a properly formatted PDF without spacing errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my text get corrupted when converting Word to PDF?
Text corruption during PDF conversion is most commonly caused by outdated or unsupported legacy fonts (like PostScript .PFB formats). Modern PDF converters may fail to parse these fonts properly if they are not converted to OpenType or fully embedded.
Why do justified paragraphs show weird spacing in PDFs?
Justified text forces spaces between words so that the text aligns flush with both margins. If the PDF converter fails to read the font's specific kerning (spacing) metrics correctly, it attempts to guess the spacing, resulting in exaggerated or uneven gaps between characters and words.
Can I fix PDF rendering issues without buying new software?
Yes. You can often fix this by replacing problematic fonts with standard pre-installed system fonts, changing paragraph alignment to left-aligned, or utilizing a free alternative like the built-in PDF converter in WPS Office.
