Why Acrobat Autotag Affects Embedded PDF Fonts
Question details
User wants to know why running the Autotag feature in Adobe Acrobat DC causes previously embedded fonts to become unembedded in the document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying Autotag to a PDF document to improve accessibility and structure.
- Observed behavior
- Fonts that were previously embedded in the PDF no longer appear as embedded after the Autotag process completes.
Before troubleshooting, ensure you have the original source file of the document and confirm that all required fonts are installed on your current computer.
Verify Font Licensing and Local Installation
Missing local fonts or restrictive font licenses can prevent Acrobat from re-embedding fonts during the Autotag process.
When Autotag processes a document, it may need to interact with the fonts used in the text. If a font was installed on the original creator's computer but is missing from yours, the software might fail to process it properly. Additionally, some fonts have strict licensing that prevents digital embedding.
Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat, go to File > Properties, and click the Fonts tab to see which fonts are no longer listed as 'Embedded'.
Verify with the font manufacturer that the specific font allows for digital embedding without additional fees.
Download the missing fonts and install them on your computer's operating system, then restart Adobe Acrobat and run Autotag again.
Update Adobe Acrobat DC
Adobe is aware of certain bugs related to Autotag, so applying the latest patches might resolve the issue.
Recreate the PDF from the Source File
Poorly constructed source files or PDFs created with older software can cause tagging and font issues. Re-exporting can help.
Manage and Edit PDFs Securely in WPS Office
WPS Office provides a reliable PDF editor that preserves your document formats and embedded fonts without unexpected alterations. It is a lightweight, comprehensive suite that handles PDFs alongside Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and select the 'PDF' tab from the main dashboard.
- 2. Load your document: Click 'Open' to browse your files and load your PDF document into the editor.
- 3. Edit safely: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab to modify text and images without corrupting the embedded fonts.
- 4. Save changes: Click the 'Save' icon to lock in your formatting and preserve the document structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Autotag do in a PDF?
Autotag automatically adds structural tags to a PDF document, making it more accessible to screen readers and assistive technologies by defining reading order and element types.
How do I check if fonts are embedded in my PDF?
Open the PDF, go to Document Properties (usually File > Properties), and look under the 'Fonts' tab to see the embedding status of all used fonts.
Can I force a font to embed in a PDF?
You can only embed a font if the font's manufacturer allows it through its licensing. If the font has a restrictive license, you may need to purchase the right to embed it or switch to a different font.
Why does my newly created PDF have tagging issues?
PDFs created from older software or poorly prepared source files (like complex InDesign layouts) can result in messy underlying code that causes unpredictable behavior when tagging.
