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C
CubicoB
Participant
May 14, 2025
Question

Issue Combining Word Files in Acrobat on Mac Mini M4 – PDF Conversion Error

  • May 14, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 442 views

Dear Support Team,

I recently purchased a Mac Mini with an M4 processor and I’m experiencing a specific issue with Adobe Acrobat (version [insert your version]) when trying to combine Microsoft Word (.docx) files using the “Combine Files” tool.

On my other machines (Mac Pro 2013 and Mac Pro 2019), Acrobat opens Word in the background to convert each file to PDF and then successfully combines them.

However, on the new Mac Mini M4, attempting the same action results in the following error:

“No PDF file was created. Adobe Acrobat encountered an unidentified error.”

I have already verified the following:

  • Acrobat and Word are fully up to date.

  • macOS “Automation” permissions (Acrobat does not appear in the list).

  • Clean reinstallation of both applications.

  • Running Acrobat using Rosetta.

None of these have resolved the issue, and the system never prompts for permissions to allow Acrobat to control Word. I’d like to know whether this is a known issue related to the new M4 architecture or if there is any temporary or permanent solution available.

I appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue.

System Information:

  • Mac Mini M4 (2024)

  • macOS Sequoia

  • Adobe Acrobat 2025.001.20467

  • Microsoft Word 16.97

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Braulio Cubos

1 reply

T
Tariq Dar
Legend
May 14, 2025

@CubicoB.

 

Hi Braulio, 

 

Thank you for reaching out with detailed information and for what you have already tried. We are sorry for the troubled experience.

 

A couple of things to drill down to the root cause. Sorry, it may be a bit time-consuming, as I don't have access to the information that I need for the root cause analysis.

 

Let's try the following and see how it works:

Ensure Acrobat is closed. Search for Acrobat Distiller. Once launched, wait for a minute or two. If it prompts for sign-in, it means there is a licensing or activation issue. 
Next up:

- Create a couple of MS Word files with fonts like Times New Roman (the system's default fonts). 

- Try combining. If that works fine, likely the earlier files have fonts that don't have embedding rights. 

- If combining files again, try converting MS Word files individually, and then try combining

 

Also, if you have a time-sensitive task, in the meantime, you can try combining files using Acrobat Web: https://adobe.ly/4jSJf6t

 

Let us know how it works


~Tariq

C
CubicoBAuthor
Participant
May 22, 2025

Hi,

Thank you for your response and suggestions.

I have followed your instructions and here are the results:

  • Acrobat Distiller opened and remained idle. It did not prompt for login or any action, which I assume rules out licensing issues.

  • I created new Word documents using system fonts (Times New Roman) and tried to combine them using Acrobat. Unfortunately, I received the same error:
    “No PDF file was created. Adobe Acrobat encountered an unidentified error.”

This makes me believe the issue is likely related to how Acrobat handles Word file conversion on my new Mac Mini with an M4 chip and macOS [insert your version here].

Acrobat seems unable to trigger Microsoft Word for background conversion, and macOS does not show any automation permission prompt for Acrobat to control Word — unlike on my older Intel-based Macs.

Please let me know if there is a workaround, or if this is a known compatibility issue with the M4 chip or the latest macOS version.

Thank you again for your assistance.
Best regards,
Braulio

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