How to Fix Unwanted Characters in PDF Headers Converted from Word
Question details
The user needs to remove unwanted characters that appear in the header of a PDF file generated from a Microsoft Word document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document to a PDF file using the Acrobat conversion tool.
- Observed behavior
- Unwanted characters, such as "1B", are incorrectly inserted into the PDF document's header area during the conversion process.
Ensure you have a backup copy of your original Microsoft Word document before modifying any header fields, footers, or hidden bookmarks. It is also recommended to check if your Adobe Acrobat add-in is updated to the latest version.
Adjust Word Header Fields and Bookmarks
Inspect and modify the document's header fields and bookmarks, as these are the most common causes of character encoding errors during PDF conversion.
Sometimes, hidden field codes or broken bookmarks in the header area are misinterpreted by the PDF conversion engine, resulting in strange characters like '1B' appearing in the final output.
Double-click the header area in your Microsoft Word document to make it active and editable.
Press Alt + F9 (or Option + F9 on a Mac) to reveal hidden field codes in the document. Look closely at the header for any unusual syntax, formatting tags, or redundant fields.
Delete any unnecessary field codes in the header. Then, go to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Bookmark', and delete any broken bookmarks that might interfere with the header text.
Press Alt + F9 again to hide the field codes, save your Word document, and generate the PDF again using Acrobat to verify if the unwanted characters are gone.
Modify Acrobat PDF Conversion Settings
Change the Adobe Acrobat preference settings inside Microsoft Word to prevent it from converting non-essential structural elements into the PDF.
Use WPS Office for Clean PDF Conversions
Avoid third-party plugin conflicts and encoding errors by using the built-in PDF converter in WPS Office. It natively handles Word to PDF conversions smoothly without inserting unwanted characters into headers or footers.
- 1. Open Document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your existing Word (.docx) document.
- 2. Click Export to PDF: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Export to PDF' button.
- 3. Configure Settings: Choose your desired export range and output quality in the prompt window.
- 4. Save Clean PDF: Click 'Export to PDF' to instantly generate your file accurately, without any unwanted header characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do characters like '1B' appear when converting Word to PDF?
This usually happens when the PDF converter (like Adobe Acrobat) misinterprets hidden field codes, macros, or complex bookmarks embedded in the Word document's header area.
Can changing the font fix unwanted characters in PDF headers?
Yes, occasionally. If the original font used in the Word header is not properly embedded or recognized by the PDF converter, changing it to a standard, web-safe font like Arial or Times New Roman before conversion can resolve the encoding issue.
Is there a way to convert Word to PDF without using Acrobat?
Absolutely. You can use the built-in 'Save As > PDF' feature in most modern word processors, or utilize dedicated office suites like WPS Office which feature native, highly accurate PDF export capabilities that bypass third-party plugin issues.
