Why Acrobat Pro 9 PDFMaker Add-In Does Not Work in Office 2019
Question details
The user is unable to use the Acrobat Pro 9 PDFMaker Add-In to create or integrate PDFs within Microsoft Office 2019.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 9 and Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to utilize the native PDFMaker COM add-in features from Acrobat Pro 9 directly inside an Office 2019 application like Word or Excel.
- Observed behavior
- The PDFMaker add-in fails to appear, load, or function within Office 2019 because Acrobat Pro 9 is an obsolete version that lacks compatibility with modern Office architectures.
Verify your currently installed versions of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office, as PDFMaker integration is strictly dependent on matching compatible software versions.
Upgrade to a Supported Adobe Acrobat Version
Since Acrobat Pro 9 is obsolete, upgrading to a modern, supported release of Acrobat is the only official way to restore full PDFMaker integration in Office 2019.
Acrobat Pro 9 was released years before Office 2013, 2016, and 2019. Because Microsoft updated the underlying architecture for add-ins in these newer Office suites, Acrobat Pro 9's PDFMaker plugin is fundamentally incompatible. To use the PDFMaker tab natively again, an upgrade is required.
Check Adobe's official compatibility matrices. You will need at least Acrobat Pro 2017 or Acrobat Pro DC to support Office 2019.
Purchase or subscribe to a supported version of Adobe Acrobat through your Adobe account or IT administrator.
After installing the new Acrobat version, open an Office application like Word. Go to File > Options > Add-ins, manage COM Add-ins, and ensure 'Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin' is checked and enabled.
Use Microsoft Office's Built-in PDF Exporter
If you cannot upgrade Adobe Acrobat immediately, you can bypass the PDFMaker add-in entirely by using Office's native PDF export feature.
Use WPS Office for Built-in PDF Tools
If you are frustrated by add-in compatibility issues between older PDF software and Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It includes powerful, built-in PDF creation and editing features without requiring expensive external add-ins.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer for your PC or Mac.
- 2. Open your files natively: Open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office without worrying about formatting loss.
- 3. Export directly to PDF: Click on 'Menu' and choose 'Export to PDF'. Your document will be seamlessly converted into a high-quality PDF in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I force the Acrobat Pro 9 PDFMaker add-in to enable in Office 2019?
No. Even if you manually locate the add-in file and try to force-enable it via the COM Add-ins menu in Office, the architecture mismatch will prevent it from loading, and it may cause your Office application to crash.
Does Acrobat Pro 9 support Office 2013 or Office 2016?
No. Acrobat Pro 9's PDFMaker add-in is not supported for Office 2013, 2016, or 2019. It only officially supports older versions like Office 2007 and 2010.
Are there free ways to create a PDF if my Acrobat add-in fails?
Yes. Windows 10 and 11 include a native 'Microsoft Print to PDF' virtual printer. Alternatively, you can use the 'Save As' feature in Office 2019 and select PDF from the format dropdown, or use an all-in-one suite like WPS Office.
