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v_jackson_CMEF
Participant
October 15, 2013
Answered

Save As failed to process this document. No file was created - Acrobat XI any file

  • October 15, 2013
  • 8 replies
  • 50281 views

Hello,

I noticed yesterday that any PDF that I try to save as a word document, powerpoint, excel spreadsheet etc. will get to the step "Preprocessing file for export..." and will then be immediately followed by the error message "Save As failed to process this document. No file was created."

This happens with any PDF document that I try. Even simple word documents with only a few letters of text that I have converted to PDF with word then attempted to reconvert to Word docs using Acrobat XI.

Things I have tried already based on suggestions in other threads:

I have tried optimizing the individual PDFs and making sure they are "Accessible" by running the accessability report and fixing issues and by adding tags

I have repaired Acrobat XI using the Help -> "Repair Acrobat Installation"

I have repaired Acrobat XI using the control panel -> Programs and Features -> Uninstall/Repair

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Acrobat XI

I have uninstalled Acrobat XI then run the "AdbeArCleaner_v2.exe", then reinstalled Acrobat XI

None of the above steps have worked, the problem is still present and occurs with any PDF file that I try.

Also note: This problem has not always existed on this computer, I was able to convert PDFs to word documents less than 2 months ago.

My setup:

Windows 7 Professional x64

Microsoft Office 2010 Professional Suite

Adobe Creative Cloud

    Correct answer mavaddatj

    I was able to solve this problem by

    1. running the remove hidden content​ tool and
    2. then using the Sanitize Your Document to save the PDF as a new document.

    The second step generated an error that said

    The document could not be sanitized because of ...

    , but this error did not prevent me from exporting the file after saving it to a new directory, so it was ultimately insignificant.

    Below is a screen capture I made of my attempt (click the image to make it larger):

    GSPnCpm.gif

    8 replies

    N
    Noel316905256d61
    Participant
    September 27, 2023

    Managed to convert document by changing the docx settings from "Retain Flowing Text" to "Retain Page Layout"

    E
    Elizabeth35613307axrt
    Participant
    February 22, 2024

    This worked for me too.  Other solutions noted above did not.

     

    A
    anjali28519403cixb
    Participant
    February 21, 2023

    Just go to Edit in Adobe

    Preferences

    Security(enhanced)

    Uncheck Enable protected mode at startup(preview) and Run in App container.

    Close Adobe and recheck if this remains unchecked.

     

    This resolved the issue for me.

     

      K
      KRLY
      Participant
      February 10, 2025

      Fantastic and easy ( thank you! ) - worked for me, although I did use MS print to pdf first to make sure the copy pdf had no security issues so not sure if that helped.

      AnandSri
      AnandSri
      Legend
      March 11, 2025

      Hello Elizabeth!

       

      I hope you're doing well. Glad to hear the issue is resolved! Please note that Acrobat 11 is an end-of-support and out-of-warranty product, with support ending on October 15, 2017. For more details, refer to this article: Adobe Acrobat XI End of Support.

       

      Thanks,

      Anand Sri.

      mavaddatj
      mavaddatjCorrect answer
      Inspiring
      August 15, 2017

      I was able to solve this problem by

      1. running the remove hidden content​ tool and
      2. then using the Sanitize Your Document to save the PDF as a new document.

      The second step generated an error that said

      The document could not be sanitized because of ...

      , but this error did not prevent me from exporting the file after saving it to a new directory, so it was ultimately insignificant.

      Below is a screen capture I made of my attempt (click the image to make it larger):

      GSPnCpm.gif

        R
        rianh57807579
        Participant
        June 21, 2018

        This worked for me. Thank you

        salmanAdobeUser123
        salmanAdobeUser123
        Participant
        June 22, 2017

        I have the same issue, but it is only a few pdfs that I generate from another application that we are not able to convert to ppt. All other pdfs can be converted to ppt without any issue.

        EdRevD
        EdRevD
        Participant
        July 5, 2015

        I'm having the same problem running Adobe Pro DC on a mac running on Yosemite. I've tried all of the suggested fixes and I still get the same error "Save as failed to process this document. No File was created.". This is rather enraging, since it's an advertised function that seems to have a major bug. I really hope Adobe can address this or at least supply a fix for us to handle on our end. I thought this was going to be a promising solution to keep designers in InDesign and out of PowerPoint until absolutely necessary.

          polysyllabicnerd
          polysyllabicnerd
          Participant
          September 18, 2016

          Hi,

          I've recently started to have the same problem and as such I am wondering whether there is a solution to the problem. A proper solution. Not a work around.

          Thanks,
          Michael

          A
          Anonymous
          June 1, 2015

          Try the solution from here: https://answers.acrobatusers.com/How-to-fix-save-as-failed-to-process-this-document-no-file-was-created-q114695.aspx

          Basically, export/Save As to PDF/X, then run Preflight > flatten transparencies (there are 3 of them, but high resolution worked for me) and then re-try the Save As > Word document.

          This worked for me but I am using Windows 7 Enterprise sp1 x64, with Acrobat 10.1.4.

          Good_day__On_the_ultrab
          Good_day__On_the_ultrab
          Participant
          September 21, 2014

          I have the same Problem is. Did you manage to solve it?

          Good_day__On_the_ultrab
          Good_day__On_the_ultrab
          Participant
          September 22, 2014

          Installed Acrobat XI  PRO on seven computers and laptops. Two of them gives an error when you try to save a document in WORD, EXCEL, Power Point, or when exporting to... error: Save as failed to process this document. No File was created.

          But all good saves in the format of TXT and jpg.

          I have uninstalled and restored and re-installed and the registry cleaned and removed using the special utility Cleaner Tool for Acrobat, but nothing helps.

          On one notebook with Windows 8.1 and Microsoft office 2013, on another laptop with Windows 7 and Microsoft office 2010, the same problem, although there are computers with Windows 7 and Microsoft office 2010 and everything works.

          Tell me where to find the problem and how to solve it.


          Thank you.

          V
          v_jackson_CMEFAuthor
          Participant
          October 22, 2013

          Anyone? I would love to help out the community by providing a solution to this issue. I'm fairly certain it's not only present on my machine. I've scoured the internet and found similar posts to mine, but none with a solution that has worked.

          Does anyone have insight into any log file that may generated by an error such as this?

          J
          julian_boledi
          Participant
          May 6, 2014

          V.Jackson,

          Had the same problem here with the Acrobat XI on Mac.

          i figured out that was some kind of problem related to permissions or authenticating with Creative Cloud App    

          so quit the Creative Cloud App and try to export again.

          for me works just fine.

          Best.

          Julian

            B
            Bill12
            Inspiring
            May 6, 2014

            Did you update AA XI to 11.0.06? That might fix it.

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