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Z
zlie
Participant
November 6, 2021
Question

MS Doc to PDF: troubleshooting formatting & hyperlinks

  • November 6, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 652 views

Problem: conversion of MS Word (365 on MacBook Pro, mS Works v16.54) to PDF fraught with many issues.  Using MS WORD>'Save as' generously gives us 2 options. 1. Best for electronic distribution and 2. Best for printing. 
1. Best for electronic distribution retains hyperlinks but changes original formatting (pagination, spacing, font size etc.)

2. Best for printing retains formatting but removes all hyperlinks. 


I've tried other plenty of other techniques as well:
a. Using MS Word Print: produces the same results as #2 above. 

b. Using Combine docs inside AdobeProDC (v2021): produces the same results as #2 above.

c. Online conversion apps

I urgently need a way to do BOTH: retain formating as visible in MS Word AND conserve hyperlinks.
Can anyone please assist with a work around, a plug in?
Many thanks in advance,

Lezlie

 

There is no such thing as Adobe Pro... moved to Acrobat forum... Moderator

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
Legend
November 6, 2021

MS Word to PDF on Mac/Apple OS isn't very good.

Not due to Adobe or Microsoft, but rather Apple that prevents some much-needed tools from working on Apple OS.

 

Best solution: Switch to MS Office on Windows.

Either run Windows/Word via Apple's BootCamp (Intel iCore chips) or Parallels (M1 chips).

 

|    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
Z
zlieAuthor
Participant
November 13, 2021

Thank you Bevi. As best solution seems impossible, is the Apple BootCamp a second option or same as MS Office on Windows? Apologies, I am not familiar with this and am working on a Quad-Core Intel Corp i7.    Thanks, Lezlie

Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
Legend
November 13, 2021

BootCamp is a free utility with the Apple OS 10 (not the new OS 11, Big Sur or Monterey, and not on the new M1 chips). Your Quad-Core Intel i7 has this.

 

Once installed, BootCamp lets you install another operating system, such as Windows. You then boot your computer and choose whether to run Windows OS or Apple OS (but not both at the same time). With this method, you turn your Apple computer into a Windows computer that can run any Windows software, such as MS Office/Windows, Adobe Creative Suite/Windows, etc.

 

If you want to run an Apple program, then reboot your computer and select to have it run the Apple OS. Rebooting lets you switch between Mac and Windows.

 

Another option:

Parallels software lets you run both OS's at the same time on your Mac. A keyboard shortcut launches a Windows "window" and you run a Windows copy of MS Office within it. No rebooting is necessary, however you really need quite a bit if RAM on your computer to do this and have it not crash.

 

A lot of people give up and just buy a second computer designed for Windows. It doesn't have to be a high-end computer, even a second-hand laptop will do. If all you want is to run MS Office/Windows, 8GB will suffice. If you want to run other programs, such as Adobe's Creative Suite, 16GB is the minimum for smooth operation.

 

I advise people to look at how important is it for your job/economic income to use MS Office with its features for making better PDFs, making better accessible documents, or coordinating with teammates who are Windows based.

 

If your livelihood depends on completing this work, I have to ask why are you on Mac in the first place?

 

Don't believe the marketing hype from either side. Choose what's best for your needs, tasks, and compatability with your work teams.

 

Check these threads: there might be some nuggets of info that can help you.

 

And FWIW, I'm a former Apple dealer. I just can't do my job well enough nor run my business without being on Windows. The software just isn't there on the Apple OS. Mac at this time is really best for creative and design users.

 

|    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
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