How to Restore the Missing Add Button for Custom PDF Page Sizes
Question details
The user is unable to add a custom PDF page size because the 'Add' button has disappeared from the printer properties.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat XI Pro / Microsoft Word 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a document to PDF with custom page dimensions from Word 365.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Add' button for creating custom page sizes is completely missing from the Adobe PDF printer properties interface.
Verify your current operating system version and ensure you have administrative privileges to reinstall or repair your printer drivers.
Repair or Recreate the Adobe PDF Printer
Recreating the Adobe PDF printer driver can often resolve the interface glitches causing the missing Add button.
Since Adobe Acrobat XI Pro is an older software version, its print-driver subsystem may conflict with recent Windows updates, leading to missing UI elements like the custom page size 'Add' button. Repairing the installation forces the system to recreate the driver.
Open the Windows Control Panel, go to 'Devices and Printers', right-click on the 'Adobe PDF' printer, and select 'Remove device'.
Open Adobe Acrobat XI Pro. Navigate to the 'Help' menu at the top and click on 'Repair Acrobat Installation'.
Restart your computer once the repair process is complete. Open Word 365, go to Print, select the Adobe PDF printer, and check the printer properties to see if the Add button has returned.
Create a Custom Form in Print Server Properties
Bypass the Adobe interface entirely by creating a custom page size natively within Windows Print Server settings.
Easily Export to PDF with Custom Page Sizes Using WPS Office
If outdated printer drivers are preventing you from creating custom PDFs, switch to WPS Office. WPS Writer features a built-in PDF converter that bypasses external printer driver issues entirely, allowing you to easily set custom page sizes and export seamlessly.
- 1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your Word document. The software natively supports all standard Microsoft Word formats.
- 2. Set a custom page size: Navigate to the 'Page Layout' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Size', and select 'More Paper Sizes' to input your exact custom dimensions.
- 3. Access the Export to PDF tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Export to PDF' from the drop-down list.
- 4. Export and save: Adjust any desired export settings in the prompt dialog and click 'Export to PDF' to save your perfectly sized file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Add button suddenly disappear from my Adobe PDF printer?
The Add button typically disappears due to a compatibility issue between older versions of Adobe Acrobat (like XI Pro) and newer operating systems or Word 365 updates. The outdated print-driver subsystem fails to render certain UI elements correctly.
Is Adobe Acrobat XI Pro still supported for Windows 10 or Windows 11?
No, Adobe officially ended support for Acrobat XI Pro in October 2017. It no longer receives security or feature updates, which is why driver incompatibilities frequently occur on modern operating systems.
Can I resize a PDF after it has been printed?
While it is possible to crop pages or scale them during a second print pass, it is much more accurate to format your original Word document with the correct custom page size before exporting or printing it to PDF.
