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Ajfisjsi34
Participant
June 17, 2023
Question

Acrobat Pro Desktop & Word - Can't save large document to PDF with link

  • June 17, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 6662 views

Good afternoon,
I have been trying for hours now to save a large Word file, in the .docx format (130 Mb, 400 pages) to a PDF, with no success. I am on MacOS Ventura, Word v16, Acrobat Pro 2023. Here is what I have tried:
* From Word, File, Save As, PDF, Best for printing: works but all the hyperlinks and the table of content is gone.
* From Word, File, Save As, PDF, Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (Microsoft online service): can't export file, This version of Word can't export to this type of file because the file is too large. Generally, a file that is larger than 40MB is too big to export.

 

I understand the above two options are native to Microsoft. I am on the trial version of Acrobat Pro Desktop, as I thought it would allow me to do what I want. But I'm still unable to save my file while keeping the hyperlinks.
* From the Acrobat tab in the ribbon > Create PDF. I get a warning that the file is too big for the online converted, and asks me if I want to use the local Acrobat Converter. I click yes. I am presented with the Save As window of Microsoft Word, with the same two above options, and the same result. 

* From Acrobat Pro Desktop: Open > Show All Files > Select my Word document. I get the message: "File size exceeds Adobe Create PDF online service limit. Use Acrobat local PDF converter instead?" > Click Yes > I have a loading bar labeled Acrobat PDFMaker popping up > Word opens > I again get the error message "

This version of Word can't export to this type of file because the file is too large. Generally, a file that is larger than 40MB is too big to export."

 

Is there no way to export a large file to PDF? I've been searching this community and many others, and apart from one generic answer saying that Adobe Acrobat Pro would be able to do it, I'm not able to find any help.


I'm hoping someone in this community has a solution.

 

Thank you,

 

A

    1 reply

    ls_rbls
    Community Expert
    ls_rblsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 17, 2023

    Hi @Ajfisjsi34 ,

     

    If you go to the folder where that file is saved into, and right-click on it => select from the context menu "Print" => and from the print dialog window select "Adobe PDF" as the virtual printer would you get the same error output?

     

    Also, does this problem manifests with every PDF document or just the one that you are currently working with?

     

    Just for troubleshooting purposes, you can test with a web browser that has PDF viewing capability (i.e. Mozzilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge) or another PDF editor (other than Adobe Acrobat Pro DC).

     

    If you get the same error when you test the same PDF file with other software then it may be possible that such file has some sort of encryption or a problem with its PDF structure.

     

    In which, case I would make a copy of the original file using Save As PDF (give it a different file name), and also Save As reduced PDF file:

     

    A
    Ajfisjsi34Author
    Participant
    June 18, 2023

    Hi @ls_rbls ,

     

    Thank you for your answer. 

    There is no print option when right clicking on the file. 

    I can save other documents with a working table of contents, but this one document is the only one that is too big and causing issues. 

    I created this Word document myself from scratch, it has no encryption. 

    I can't use Adobe Online Services either because the file is also too big for that service.

    Thank you,

    A

     

     

    ls_rbls
    Community Expert
    ls_rblsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 18, 2023

    You're wlecome.

     

    Seems like we have two different scenarios, and both with completely separate issues.

     

    The file size error message is distinct from trying to print a PDF file outside of Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.

     

    And regardless of operating system, if you do have a physical printer device installed it should be available as a printing option.

     

    In addition, if you do have a current paid subscription of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC you should be able to go to settings and make Adobe PDF the default virtual printing device to check if you are able to print this file to PDF using this recommended method.

     

    The other possible issue with a macOS system is a possible conflict with the  Microsoft Office365 suite and the Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker COM Add-in.

     

    In which case, maybe forcing an update of the Microsoft Office version that you have in your macOS, and manually uninstalling and reinstalling the Adobe PDF Maker COM Add-in (after updating the MS Office suite) may resolve part of this issue:

     

     

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