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RVD123
RVD123
Known Participant
October 5, 2014
Answered

Header Footer tool replaces headers and footers in PDF

  • October 5, 2014
  • 5 replies
  • 35138 views

The header/footer tool replaces the headers and footers in my PDF, this header and footer I am referring to was not added in Adobe but was added in Word 2010, when I tried to add an additional header to my PDF (I added a page number) it replaced the footers that was already in my document. The only way I could get around this is with adding a header instead of replacing, which is quick fix, but as soon as you add more pages to your PDF and want to re-apply the header/footer to update the page number that I added to the header it would remove ALL headers and footers from the PDF.

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Correct answer

Throwaway account here. I had this same exact problem and finally found a solution that worked. I am posting my answer here in case anyone else has this same problem and stumbles across this article.

Here is my situation. The ultimate product I want is a very large pdf. This pdf will have a footer with a distribution statement and page numbers. This large pdf is compiled from individual pdf attachments. For me, I have some word documents with a header. I converted this word doc into a pdf. This pdf was then one of the several attachments in my final pdf document. In my final pdf document, I am able to successfully add a footer to the report. However, if I wanted to edit the footer at all, it would remove every single header in the pdf attachments that were created from word documents. It didn’t affect any other header, except the headers that were present in any word documents I converted to pdf. Also, I am positive that the header margin widths were correct and should not have removed my header.

Solution -

In my word document (2013 for me), to convert it into pdf form, I had to go to File -> Save as Adobe PDF. I then click the Options box. For the checkboxes, make sure that the only checkbox is Convert document information. Then save the file.

Now when I compiled all my multiple pdfs into a single pdf document, I am able to successfully add a new footer with page numbers and a little distribution statement. And I am also able to change the footer if necessary without it affecting any of my headers.

I have found through trial and error that going to File -> Save As – And then saving it as a pdf gave me the same problem that the Op had. 

I really hope if anyone is reading this with the same problem, that I am able to save some frustration. 

5 replies

A
Anonymous
Correct answer
June 28, 2017

Throwaway account here. I had this same exact problem and finally found a solution that worked. I am posting my answer here in case anyone else has this same problem and stumbles across this article.

Here is my situation. The ultimate product I want is a very large pdf. This pdf will have a footer with a distribution statement and page numbers. This large pdf is compiled from individual pdf attachments. For me, I have some word documents with a header. I converted this word doc into a pdf. This pdf was then one of the several attachments in my final pdf document. In my final pdf document, I am able to successfully add a footer to the report. However, if I wanted to edit the footer at all, it would remove every single header in the pdf attachments that were created from word documents. It didn’t affect any other header, except the headers that were present in any word documents I converted to pdf. Also, I am positive that the header margin widths were correct and should not have removed my header.

Solution -

In my word document (2013 for me), to convert it into pdf form, I had to go to File -> Save as Adobe PDF. I then click the Options box. For the checkboxes, make sure that the only checkbox is Convert document information. Then save the file.

Now when I compiled all my multiple pdfs into a single pdf document, I am able to successfully add a new footer with page numbers and a little distribution statement. And I am also able to change the footer if necessary without it affecting any of my headers.

I have found through trial and error that going to File -> Save As – And then saving it as a pdf gave me the same problem that the Op had. 

I really hope if anyone is reading this with the same problem, that I am able to save some frustration. 

    markb98906568
    markb98906568
    Participant
    June 25, 2021

    This absolutely works and is the best solution! Thank you! 

    patsyl79389752
    patsyl79389752
    Participant
    August 25, 2016

    Lcon1's solution worked when I saved it with a new name!!!

    Here's a simple solution that works for us on the documents we've tried:

    1. Create individual PDF file(s) as normal.
    2. Open the file(s) in Adobe.
    3. While in Adobe, print the PDF file(s) to a new PDF file(s).
    4. Assemble (combine) PDF files as usual.  Save the assembled file.
    5. Add the header/footer information to the assembled/combined PDF file in Adobe as usual and then save the file (could use a new name just to be safe).

    A slight variation is to do the following:

    1. Create individual PDF file(s) as normal.
    2. Assemble (combine) PDF files as usual.  Save the assembled file.
    3. While in Adobe, print the assembled/combined PDF file to a new PDF file.
    4. Open the assembled/combined file in Adobe.
    5. Add the header/footer information to the assembled/combined PDF file in Adobe as usual and then save the file (could use a new name just to be safe).
    RVD123
    RVD123Author
    Known Participant
    August 17, 2015

    Is there a way to retain bookmarks that were included, we are working on large PDFs - more than a 1000 pages - and although this seems to work it can't retain existing bookmarks.

      L
      Lcon1
      Participant
      July 2, 2015

      Here's a simple solution that works for us on the documents we've tried:

      1. Create individual PDF file(s) as normal.
      2. Open the file(s) in Adobe.
      3. While in Adobe, print the PDF file(s) to a new PDF file(s).
      4. Assemble (combine) PDF files as usual.  Save the assembled file.
      5. Add the header/footer information to the assembled/combined PDF file in Adobe as usual and then save the file (could use a new name just to be safe).


      A slight variation is to do the following:

      1. Create individual PDF file(s) as normal.
      2. Assemble (combine) PDF files as usual.  Save the assembled file.
      3. While in Adobe, print the assembled/combined PDF file to a new PDF file.
      4. Open the assembled/combined file in Adobe.
      5. Add the header/footer information to the assembled/combined PDF file in Adobe as usual and then save the file (could use a new name just to be safe).
        patsyl79389752
        patsyl79389752
        Participant
        August 25, 2016

        Saving as a different name after printing the assembled document to PDF worked.  It doesn't see my Word or Excel headers or footers now!!!  Thanks so much!!

        A
        Anonymous
        January 15, 2015

        Hi.

        I'm having the same issue. To clarify this further (I'm using the Norwegian version, so translations might be a bit off) :

        When using the "Add header/footer" function in Adobe Pro XI, you have the option to either "Add new" or "Replace existing". When you add a header/footer with "Add new", it neatly adds a header/footer on top of the PDF file. However, when you update the header/footer afterwards, the top and bottom of the original document gets removed. So basically everything on the top and bottom of each page is cut away.

        Please find a solution for this... Contact me for screenshots if this was not clear.

          try67
          Community Expert
          try67Community Expert
          Community Expert
          January 27, 2015

          What exact version of Acrobat are you using? And yes, post screenshots. I wasn't able to reproduce this behaivour.

          A
          Anonymous
          January 28, 2015

          I think I found the root of this problem. This problem only occurs with documents converted from Word which include headers/footers. In other words, if you have a Word-document where you have added headers and footers in Word, then you convert this document to PDF with Adobe Pro. In this convertion Adobe Pro recognizes the header/footer (which was added in Word previously). Now, if you try to first add a header/footer in Adobe Pro and then remove it (or update it) afterwards, the original header/footer (which was added in Word) will get removed as well...

          And here lies the problem. I dont want to tamper with the original header/footer which was made in Word, as these documents I'm working with are of sensitive matter and cannot be tampered with.

          I'm not on my work PC at the moment, but can provide some screenshots when I'm back in my office.

          I'm using both Word 2010 and 2007, and using Adobe XI Pro.

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