How to Fix Missing Characters Replaced by Squares in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where text characters turn into small square boxes after combining or inserting pages in a PDF document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Inserting or merging pages from multiple source PDF files into a single PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- Text characters appear as small squares instead of normal readable text, typically caused by missing, damaged, or unembedded fonts in the source PDFs.
Ensure you have access to the original source files (like Word or InDesign documents) used to create the PDFs, as the most reliable fix requires re-exporting the files with proper font settings.
Recreate the Source PDFs with Embedded Fonts
The most effective way to prevent characters from turning into squares is to ensure fonts are fully embedded in the original PDF files before you attempt to merge them.
When fonts are not embedded, Acrobat attempts to substitute them. If it cannot find an appropriate substitute on your local system, it renders the characters as missing blocks or squares.
Open the original source file in its native application, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, or WPS Office.
Navigate to the 'Save As', 'Export', or 'Print' menu to generate a new PDF file.
Open the PDF options or settings and ensure the checkbox for 'Embed fonts' or 'Embed all fonts' is checked.
Export the new PDF with the embedded fonts, and then try inserting or merging this new file in Adobe Acrobat again.
Fix Unembedded Fonts Using Acrobat Preflight
If you do not have access to the original source files, you can use Acrobat's built-in Preflight tool to embed the fonts directly within the existing PDF, provided the fonts are installed on your computer.
Request a Correctly Exported PDF from the Author
If the fonts are missing from both the PDF and your local operating system, Acrobat cannot embed them or fix the document.
Merge and Manage PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid font rendering issues like missing characters and squares by using WPS Office to merge, edit, and manage your PDF files. WPS Office ensures high compatibility and preserves original text formats flawlessly.
- 1. Access the PDF Toolkit: Open WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab on the homepage to access the comprehensive PDF Toolkit.
- 2. Select Merge PDF: Click on the 'Merge PDF' tool from the available options in the toolkit.
- 3. Add Your Documents: Click 'Add Files' to import the PDF documents you wish to combine into the workspace.
- 4. Merge and Save: Adjust the page order if needed, then click 'Merge' to create your new document without losing vital font data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fonts turn into squares when merging PDFs?
This happens when the source PDFs do not have their fonts embedded, and your local computer lacks those specific fonts. When merging, the PDF reader attempts to substitute the missing fonts, which can result in unrecognizable square characters if no matching substitute is found.
How can I check if a PDF has embedded fonts?
Open your PDF file and press Ctrl+D (Windows) or Cmd+D (Mac) to open the Document Properties. Go to the 'Fonts' tab. You will see a list of fonts used in the document. If a font is embedded, it will say '(Embedded)' or '(Embedded Subset)' next to its name.
Can I embed fonts in a PDF after it has been created?
Yes, but only if you have the missing fonts installed on your computer. You can use Adobe Acrobat's Preflight tool under Print Production to analyze the document and apply an 'Embed fonts' fixup to embed them retroactively.
What if I don't have the missing font installed on my computer?
If the font is missing from both the PDF and your system, you cannot embed it or fix the squares using Preflight. You must either install the missing font on your computer first or ask the original document author to provide a version with the fonts properly embedded.
