How to Fix Broken or Unreadable Text While Editing a PDF
Question details
Users experience garbled, broken, or unreadable characters replacing normal text when they attempt to edit a PDF document.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Modifying existing text within a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- Text suddenly changes to incorrect symbols, overlapping characters, or unreadable boxes when entering edit mode.
Verify that your PDF editing software is updated to the latest version, as older versions may struggle with modern font rendering formats.
Verify and Fix Font Embedding Settings
Check if the fonts used in the document are properly embedded, as missing or incompatible fonts are the primary cause of unreadable text.
When a PDF is created without embedding its fonts, the PDF editor relies on your system's local fonts to display the text. If those exact fonts are missing, the software attempts to substitute them, often resulting in broken or garbled text when you try to make edits.
Open your PDF document in your editor (e.g., Adobe Acrobat). Go to the top menu, click on 'File', and select 'Properties'.
In the Document Properties window, click on the 'Fonts' tab to view a complete list of fonts used in the current PDF.
Look at the font names. Each font should say '(Embedded)' or '(Embedded Subset)' next to it. If these tags are missing, the text may become unreadable upon editing.
If fonts are not embedded, use your editor's text formatting panel to select the broken text and manually change it to a standard system font like Arial or Times New Roman.
Recreate the PDF from the Source File
If you have access to the original source document, re-exporting it with proper font embedding is the most effective way to prevent editing errors.
Edit PDFs Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office features a robust, built-in PDF editor that handles text rendering and font substitutions smoothly, allowing you to edit PDFs without struggling with broken characters.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file you wish to modify.
- 2. Enter Edit Mode: Click on the 'Edit' tab in the top ribbon and select the 'Edit Text' tool.
- 3. Modify the Document: Click directly on the paragraph you want to change. WPS Office will intelligently handle the font rendering so you can type normally.
- 4. Save Your Changes: Click the 'Save' icon in the top left corner or press Ctrl+S to save your newly edited PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF text look like gibberish only when I click edit?
When simply viewing a PDF, the software may use a cached preview of the text. However, when you click edit, the software needs the actual font file to allow typing. If the font isn't embedded in the PDF and isn't installed on your computer, the software fails to render it properly, resulting in gibberish.
How do I embed fonts when saving a Word document to PDF?
In Microsoft Word, go to File > Options > Save, and check the box for 'Embed fonts in the file' under the 'Preserve fidelity when sharing this document' section. Then, save or export your document as a PDF.
Can I fix the unreadable text without the original source file?
Yes, but you will need to change the font. Select the unreadable text using your PDF editor's text tool, then use the format panel to change the font to a standard one installed on your system, such as Arial or Calibri. The text will become readable again, though the styling will change.
