How to Fix PDF Font Invalid Values or Widths Error
Question details
The user needs to fix an error message indicating that a font contains invalid values or widths when attempting to open a PDF.
- Product
- PDF Reader/Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening or viewing a PDF file that contains embedded fonts.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF software triggers an error message stating that a font contains invalid values or widths, which happens when the embedded font is defective or the creation software incorrectly embeds the font data.
Ensure you have access to the original source document (such as the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file) from which the PDF was originally created, as resolving this issue typically requires re-exporting the file.
Recreate the PDF Using the Original Software
The most effective way to fix font embedding errors is to export the PDF again from the original application to regenerate the font data.
Sometimes a simple glitch during the PDF creation process can corrupt the embedded font data. Re-exporting the document usually forces the software to process and embed the font correctly.
Launch the application originally used to create the document and open the source file (e.g., the Word document or PowerPoint presentation).
Navigate to the 'File' menu, select 'Export' or 'Save As', and choose the PDF format from the available file types.
Open the newly created PDF in your PDF viewer to check if the invalid values or widths error has been successfully resolved.
Replace Defective Fonts with Reliable Alternatives
If recreating the PDF doesn't work, the original font itself might be corrupted and should be replaced with a standard system font.
Update or Replace Your PDF Creation Software
Outdated PDF creation tools can contain bugs that incorrectly embed font data. Updating or changing your software can resolve this.
Use WPS Office to Generate Reliable PDFs
WPS Office features a robust, built-in PDF creator that properly embeds both standard and custom fonts. By exporting your documents through WPS Office, you can ensure your PDFs open flawlessly on any device without invalid font errors.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your computer or mobile device.
- 2. Open the source document: Launch WPS Office and open your original Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document.
- 3. Export to PDF: Click on 'Menu' (or 'File' on Mac), select 'Export to PDF', and configure your preferred export settings.
- 4. Save the new PDF: Click 'Export' to generate a clean, error-free PDF with perfectly embedded fonts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the 'font contains invalid values or widths' error in PDFs?
This error usually happens when a font embedded in the PDF is corrupted, or the software used to generate the PDF failed to encode the font's sizing and spacing data correctly.
Can I fix this error without the original source document?
Fixing font embedding errors without the source file is difficult. You might try using an advanced PDF editor to substitute the corrupted font directly within the PDF, or try 'printing to PDF' from your viewer, but recreating the file from the source is the most reliable method.
How do I know which font is causing the issue?
Sometimes the error message itself will specify the exact font name. If it doesn't, examine your source document for non-standard, custom, or third-party fonts downloaded from the internet, as these are the most frequent causes.
Does WPS Office support embedding custom fonts in PDFs?
Yes, WPS Office seamlessly embeds custom fonts when you export a document to PDF, ensuring the file looks exactly the same across all devices without triggering font width or value errors.
