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Participant
Apr 16, 2025 1:17 PM UTC
Question

Acrobat inserts multiple footers (content markings) to pdf file which is converted from O365 file

We have implemented MPIP sensitivity labels and encountered an unusual case. The steps we followed are:

  1. Create an O365 file (Word, PPT, XLS). Fill in the content as required and label it with a Sensitivity label that has active Content marking. Save the file.
  2. Convert the file to PDF format using either:
    • Save as Adobe PDF
    • Export → Create Adobe PDF
  3. The PDF file is now generated. Since I have the Pro version, MPIP labels can be applied.
  4. Label this PDF with a Sensitivity label that has active Content marking.
    Now, the PDF file contains two content marks. In my case, there are two footers: one from the label inherited from the O365 file, and the second from the newly applied label.
    Is it a known issue? How to resolve it?

1 reply

Legend
Apr 16, 2025 1:37 PM UTC

Hi @RajChopra

 

Thanks for reaching out. 


This is more related O365 file and how you create the file has the least dependency on Acrobat unless you are applying a Header and footer from Acrobat as well

 

  1. Exported via Office 365 Online (Web App):

    • When using “Print to PDF” or “Save as PDF” directly from Word Online or Excel Online, Microsoft inserts headers/footers like page numbers, document titles, or URLs by default.

    • Acrobat simply opens or displays the already-inserted footers. It doesn’t add them.

     

  2. Multiple exports or overlapping conversions:

    • If a user exports or prints the same document multiple times, those footers might be embedded again — especially when the user merges files or appends them using Acrobat tools.

     

  3. PDFMaker (Acrobat plugin in Office desktop) is not used:

    • If you aren’t using the Adobe PDF tab in Office (PDFMaker plugin), you miss out on cleaner conversions with proper settings for headers, footers, links, etc.

     

What we can try: 

 

1. Use Adobe PDFMaker Add-in (for Office Desktop apps)

In Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Desktop):

  • Use the Adobe PDF tab > Create PDF instead of “Save As PDF” or “Print to PDF”.

  • This provides the most accurate rendering and prevents unwanted footers/markings

 

2. Check Print Settings in Office Online

If you must use Office 365 Web:

  • Click on Print > More Settings, then disable “Headers and footers” (varies by browser).

  • This ensures only the document content is included.

 

3. Clean Up Footers in Acrobat

  • Open the PDF in Acrobat > Edit PDF tool

    • Use “Headers & Footers > Remove” to delete any unintended markings.

    • You can also batch-remove them if applied to multiple pages.

     

Let us know how it works at your end.




~Tariq

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