How to Fix Cannot Extract Embedded Font Error When Printing Tableau PDFs
Question details
Users encounter a 'Cannot extract the embedded font' error preventing them from successfully creating a PDF document from their workbook.
- Product
- Tableau Desktop
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Printing or exporting data visualizations and workbooks to PDF format in Tableau.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF creation fails and halts, displaying an error message about being unable to extract embedded fonts, even if those specific fonts are not actively used in the current workbook.
Save your current Tableau workbook and ensure you have Windows administrator privileges to access and modify the system Fonts folder.
Remove Duplicate or Damaged Fonts
Identify and delete corrupted or duplicate system fonts, such as Gotham or Tableau-specific fonts, that interfere with the PDF extraction process.
Tableau relies on Windows system fonts to render PDFs accurately. If font files are duplicated, damaged, or differently rendered across machines, the extraction process will fail.
Press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel', and navigate to Appearance and Personalization > Fonts.
Use the search bar in the top right to locate fonts specifically mentioned in the error, or commonly problematic fonts like 'Gotham' and 'Tableau'.
Right-click on any duplicate or damaged font files and select 'Delete'.
Obtain clean versions of the required font files, right-click them, and select 'Install'.
Close and reopen Tableau Desktop, then attempt to print the workbook to PDF again.
Update Software and Use an Alternative PDF Printer
Bypass native PDF export glitches by using an alternative PDF printer and ensuring all software is fully up to date.
Use WPS Office to Print and Manage PDFs Flawlessly
Avoid native font extraction errors by using the built-in WPS PDF printer. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight suite that handles PDF rendering securely and accurately, making it a perfect companion for exporting data from external applications.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the official website to add the WPS PDF printer to your system.
- 2. Open Print Menu in Tableau: Go to File > Print in your Tableau Desktop workbook.
- 3. Select WPS PDF: Choose 'WPS PDF' from the list of available printers to bypass the font extraction error.
- 4. Save your PDF: Click Print and select the destination folder to securely save your new PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Tableau show a font error for a font I'm not using?
Tableau scans and packages installed system fonts during the PDF export process. If a font like Gotham is installed but damaged on your system, it can trigger the extraction error even if it is not actively applied to any text in your workbook.
Where are my fonts stored on a Windows computer?
System fonts on Windows are located in the 'C:\Windows\Fonts' directory. You can easily access, install, and delete them through the Windows Control Panel under the 'Fonts' section.
How do I know which font is causing the extraction error?
Sometimes the error message explicitly names the problematic font. If it does not, compare the fonts installed on your machine with another machine where the export works successfully, paying special attention to custom or branded fonts.
