How to Fix EMF Font Size Changes When Converting Word to PDF
Question details
The user needs to prevent text within EMF graphics from shrinking or changing to superscript when exporting a Word document to PDF via the Acrobat plug-in.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document that contains EMF (Enhanced Metafile) vector graphics into a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- Text inside EMF figures becomes smaller or looks like superscript when using the Acrobat PDFMaker plug-in, whereas Word's native 'Save As PDF' preserves text size but converts the vector graphics into bitmap images.
Make sure to save a backup copy of your original Word document before altering conversion preferences or replacing existing graphics.
Adjust Acrobat PDFMaker Preferences in Word
Changing the Adobe PDFMaker conversion settings to High-Quality Print can often resolve vector graphic rendering and font scaling issues.
The Acrobat add-in uses specific preset profiles to determine how complex objects are processed. Switching to a higher quality profile forces the converter to handle embedded fonts and vector shapes more accurately.
Open your document in Microsoft Word and click on the Acrobat tab located in the top ribbon menu.
Click on the Preferences button to open the Adobe PDFMaker settings dialog box.
In the Settings tab, locate the Conversion Settings drop-down menu and select High-Quality Print.
Click OK at the bottom of the window to save your changes, then click Create PDF to export the document again.
Convert EMF Graphics to PNG Format
Replacing problematic EMF vector files with standard PNG images prevents layout disruptions and font rendering errors during PDF conversion.
Try WPS Office for Seamless PDF Conversion
If you frequently encounter formatting issues with third-party PDF plugins, WPS Office offers a highly reliable, built-in Word to PDF converter. It accurately preserves fonts, layouts, and graphics without the need for expensive add-ins, providing a smooth and free document processing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word's 'Save As PDF' convert EMF graphics to bitmaps?
Microsoft Word's native PDF export engine often struggles to perfectly translate complex Windows-specific vector formats like EMF into PDF vector paths. To preserve the visual appearance of the document and prevent layout breakage, Word automatically rasterizes these graphics into bitmap images during the PDF creation process.
What is an EMF file and why does it cause font issues?
EMF stands for Enhanced Metafile, a legacy vector graphic format primarily used in Windows environments. Because it relies on system-level graphics commands to render, different software engines (like Word and Adobe Acrobat) may interpret its text scaling and positioning commands differently, leading to shrunk or superscript fonts.
Can I use SVG instead of EMF in Word?
Yes, modern versions of Microsoft Word support SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). SVGs generally offer better cross-platform compatibility and more consistent rendering when exporting to PDF compared to older EMF formats. Replacing EMFs with SVGs is a highly recommended practice for modern document design.
