How to Fix Custom Fonts Missing in PDF Conversion
Question details
Users experience missing or substituted custom fonts when converting documents to PDF using cloud-based conversion tools.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Cloud PDF Converters
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a presentation or document containing custom local fonts to a PDF file using a cloud service.
- Observed behavior
- Custom fonts are replaced by default system fonts in the final PDF because the cloud server does not have access to the user's locally installed fonts.
Ensure that the custom fonts used in your document have embedding permissions enabled, as fonts with strict licensing restrictions will fail to convert properly.
Embed Fonts in the Source Document Before Conversion
By embedding the fonts directly into your PowerPoint or Word file, cloud services will have access to the font data during the PDF conversion process.
Cloud conversion tools like Adobe PDF Pack upload your file to a remote server to process it. If the server doesn't have your specific custom font installed, it automatically substitutes it with a standard font. Embedding the font into the document file itself solves this issue.
In your PowerPoint presentation or Word document, click on 'File', select 'Options', and navigate to the 'Save' tab in the left sidebar.
Scroll down to the 'Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation' section and check the box labeled 'Embed fonts in the file'.
Choose the option 'Embed all characters (best for editing by other people)' to ensure the conversion tool has all necessary font glyphs available.
Save the document. You can now upload this saved file to your PDF conversion service, and the custom fonts should render correctly.
Use a Local Desktop PDF Converter
Bypassing cloud services and converting the file locally ensures the software can read the custom fonts directly from your computer's font directory.
Convert Documents to PDF with Custom Fonts using WPS Office
WPS Office features a powerful, built-in PDF converter that operates locally on your device. This guarantees that all custom fonts in your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents are perfectly preserved in the final PDF, without the hassle of embedding fonts or relying on cloud servers.
- 1. Open Your File: Launch WPS Office and open the document or presentation containing your custom fonts.
- 2. Click Export to PDF: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and select 'Export to PDF'.
- 3. Adjust Export Settings: Choose your desired save location and select standard or compressed quality depending on your needs.
- 4. Export Locally: Click 'Export to PDF' to instantly generate a pixel-perfect PDF with all custom fonts fully intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my fonts change when using Adobe PDF Pack?
Adobe PDF Pack is a cloud-based service. When you upload your file, the conversion happens on Adobe's remote servers, which do not have access to the unique custom fonts installed on your local computer. As a result, the server replaces them with standard system fonts.
Can I embed custom fonts on a Mac before converting?
Yes. In recent versions of Microsoft Office for Mac, you can embed fonts by going to 'Preferences' > 'Save', and checking 'Embed fonts in the file'. However, cloud services still may struggle with certain formats, making local conversion preferable.
Does Adobe Acrobat Reader allow me to embed fonts?
No, Adobe Acrobat Reader is primarily a viewing application and does not support full document editing or font embedding. You must embed the fonts in the original authoring program (like Word or PowerPoint) before creating the PDF, or use Acrobat Pro's advanced preflight tools.
