How to Fix Bad Widths Errors in Acrobat DC PDFs Exported from InDesign
Question details
Users need to resolve a font rendering error that occurs when opening or exporting PDF documents in Acrobat DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC / Adobe InDesign
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting interactive PDFs or books from InDesign that contain embedded PDF pages, scanned graphics, or custom subset fonts.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat DC displays a 'bad widths' error message when rendering the document, typically triggered by corrupted, substituted, or improperly embedded custom fonts.
Ensure your Adobe Acrobat DC and Adobe InDesign applications are updated to the latest versions, as software updates frequently patch known font rendering and subsetting bugs.
Identify and Recreate Problematic Fonts in InDesign
Use InDesign's Find Font feature to locate and replace corrupted fonts or graphics causing the bad widths error before exporting.
When exporting interactive PDFs or books, embedded pages with scanned graphics often create custom subset fonts. If these become corrupted or conflict during export, Acrobat cannot render them and throws the bad widths error. Removing the specific corrupted graphic resolves the issue.
In Adobe InDesign, navigate to the top menu and select 'Type' > 'Find Font' to view all fonts currently active in your document.
Review the list of fonts for any unusual entries, particularly custom subsets (e.g., a subset of Verdana) that are associated with embedded PDF pages or scanned graphics.
Delete the specific page or graphic containing the offending font, then recreate or re-import the graphic manually into your layout.
Return to 'Type' > 'Find Font' to verify the problematic font is no longer listed, then go to 'File' > 'Export' to save your document as a PDF again.
Recreate the PDF as a Press-Ready File in Acrobat
Resaving the document as a Press-Ready PDF can often bypass rendering errors caused by the initial InDesign export.
Replace Damaged OpenType Fonts
If the error is isolated to a specific font format, switching from an OpenType (OTF) to a TrueType (TTF) version can resolve the export conflict.
Read, Edit, and Manage PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
Avoid complex rendering errors by using WPS Office. Its built-in PDF tools allow you to seamlessly open, edit, and export PDF documents without worrying about font width compatibility issues.
- 1. Launch WPS Office: Open WPS Office and select 'PDF' from the main application dashboard.
- 2. Open Your File: Click 'Open' to load your PDF document and easily bypass native Acrobat font rendering errors.
- 3. Edit the Document: Use the 'Edit' tab to seamlessly modify text, adjust fonts, or manage embedded graphics directly within the file.
- 4. Export Successfully: Click the 'Menu' button and select 'Export to PDF' to save a clean, error-free version of your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the bad font widths error in Acrobat DC?
This error is typically caused by corrupted font files, embedded PDFs with missing custom subset fonts, or conflicts when attempting to render scanned graphics exported from applications like Adobe InDesign.
How can I find which font is causing the issue in InDesign?
You can navigate to 'Type' > 'Find Font' in InDesign to review all fonts used in your document. Look for unusual subset fonts or those marked with warnings, which are often tied to imported graphics.
Can printing to Adobe PDF solve the font width issue?
Yes. As a workaround, you can go to the Print menu and select 'Adobe PDF' as your printer. Make sure that 'Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts' is unchecked so all fonts are embedded correctly during the print process.
Does replacing an OpenType font with a TrueType font help?
In some cases, yes. If a specific OpenType (OTF) font file is damaged or incompatible with your embedded graphics, replacing it with the TrueType (TTF) version of the same font can resolve the export rendering error.
