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Can't add image to PDF

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
July 20, 2016
11 replies
52767 views

Lately, I've been having trouble adding images using Edit PDF>Add Image. I'm using Acrobat Pro DC on Mac OS X 10.11.6 (El Capitan), but it happened in 10.11.5 as well.

When I open the PDF, if I try to add a PNG, it will show the PNG under the cursor, but I cannot left click and have the PNG "appear" in the PDF (as it used to). The cursor just moves around with the image under it, but will not respond to any mouse clicks. However, if I add a JPG (which works), and replace it with the PNG using right click-Replace Image from the context sensitive menu, this works fine (usually).

What's happening? How can I fix this? It's intermittent but frequent, which makes it really confusing.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer OzPreston

THE SOLUTION that fixed all issues with my Acrobat Pro DC, including the Add Image Issue, was provided by Dov Isaacs with my deepest appreciation.

I had installed Adobe Reader DC along with Acrobat Pro DC. That was the problem. Reader DC broke Acrobat Pro DC.

After uninstalling Reader DC with AcroCleaner tool and doing a repair installation of Acro Pro DC, Acro Pro DC now works exactly as it should. Removing Reader DC cleared up all issues.

The key is to use the AcroCleaner tool (for DC versions) to uninstall Reader DC in order to thoroughly remove all traces of it from Windows 10. The 'normal' uninstallation method using Windows Add & Remove Programs was insufficient.

P

PositiveEnergy

Inspiring

How To Add Image To PDF in Adobe Reader
https://youtu.be/JohNyc_nyL8

T

twilly910

Known Participant

I'm having this same problem. I have always been able to go to Edit, add picture. BUt when I do it now, the watchcomes up, then it just goes away. I tried your workaroudn above, and it does the same thing, when I right-click, add image, the watch comes up, then it just disappears. Any suggestions?

O

OzPrestonCorrect answer

Inspiring

THE SOLUTION that fixed all issues with my Acrobat Pro DC, including the Add Image Issue, was provided by Dov Isaacs with my deepest appreciation.

I had installed Adobe Reader DC along with Acrobat Pro DC. That was the problem. Reader DC broke Acrobat Pro DC.

After uninstalling Reader DC with AcroCleaner tool and doing a repair installation of Acro Pro DC, Acro Pro DC now works exactly as it should. Removing Reader DC cleared up all issues.

The key is to use the AcroCleaner tool (for DC versions) to uninstall Reader DC in order to thoroughly remove all traces of it from Windows 10. The 'normal' uninstallation method using Windows Add & Remove Programs was insufficient.

5

5EDF

New Participant

This is STILL an issue. I am running Acrobat DC 2020.012.20043 (the absolute current version as of this posting) on a MacBook Pro 2014 running OSX 10.15.3.

I just successfully added PNG images to 7 PDF files in a row. When I opened the 8th file, I was no longer able to insert a PNG image using the exact same method as the previous 7. Nothing changed in between. I didn't restart, I didn't install any software, I didn't update anything, Creative Cloud was not in the middle of any updates. I simply went to open the next file in line and now all of a sudden I cannot insert PNG images. I go to Edit PDF > Add Image > Select my image then there is a system chime and the image appears under the cursor. I click to add the image in the PDF and the image disappears and NOTHING HAPPENS. This is the most frustrating thing in the entire world.

I tested out JPG images also and those don't work either.

Meenakshi Negi

Community Manager

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out.

As per your description, you are not able to add an image to a PDF after adding it on 7 PDFs. I see that you are using the latest version of the application.

Just to confirm, did you experience this behavior only when adding an image to multiple PDFs? Did you try to add an image to any other PDF once it doesn't add to one PDF? Would it be possible to share the PDF on which you were not able to add the image? If yes, please upload the PDF on Document Cloud (https://documentcloud.adobe.com) and generate a link using the Share option. The share the link with us here.

It would be helpful if you can share the video recording of the issue occurring on your end. It will help us to understand it better.

Let us know if you have any questions or need any help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

5

5EDF

New Participant

I have discovered something. In the Mac OS file properties (Get Info) for each of my PDF files, I have figured out that any PDF that was created using "Encoding Software: macOS Version x" does not allow you to add images. I have tested it on PDFs created with the following Encoding Software versions:

These do not work for adding images:

Encoding Software: macOS Version 10.14.5 (Build 18F132) Quartz PDFContext

Encoding Software: macOS Version 10.15.3 (Build 19D76) Quartz PDFContext

Encoding Software: macOS Versions 10.15.4 (Build 19E287) Quartz PDFContext

Encoding Software: macOS Version 10.15.5 (Build 19F101) Quartz PDFContext

Encoding Software: macOS Version 10.15.6 (Build 19G73) Quartz PDFContext

These workfor adding images:

Microsoft PowerPoint for Office 365

Canva

Google

Microsoft Print to PDF

See this screenshot which shows the properties I'm talking about:

J

jasonv85027485

New Participant

I'm getting this error on Windows 10. The right click -> add image work around doesn't work for me.

Does anyone know where the Acrobat logs are stored?

ls_rbls

Community Expert

I don't have or never get these issues that users report in the forums.

All these strange software behaviors that breaks a system... I honestly honestly, NEVER, get these issues. SHOULD I???

What am I doing wrong?

Why does my Adobe Acrobat never breaks?

This must be related to some sort of misconfiguration.

If the product was working before, and then it manifested problems, what happens when you try any of the following:

Click HELP, "Repair Installation"
What happens if you reset Adobe Acrobat preferences to default:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-default/td-p/4792082?page=1

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/how-to-reset-preference-settings-in-acrobat/td-p/6499709?page=1

Basic Tools

Use Single Key Accelerators To Access Tools. See keyboard shortcuts here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/keyboard-shortcuts.html#keys_for_selecting_tools

Make Hand Tool Select Text & Images
Make Select Tool Select Images Before Text
Show Quick actions on text selection: Display a quick action toolbar on text or image selection
Use Fixed Resolution For Snapshot Tool Images

See Restore (Re-create) Preferences section in link below:

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/workspace-classic.html

Manually forcing an update of the mouse drivers, not from the operating system's automatic updates
Using the Adobe Acrobat Cleanup & Repair Tool to uninstall current installation and remove old traces of software, specifically if you had older version of Acrobat in the same computer where you're running the most recent version
Disabling the CC Desktop App completely... What happens if you get rid of it?
What happens if you create a new user profile in that computer? Would the same behavior manifest for a new user account?
Have you checked the Enterprise Toolkit Preferences Reference and verify if a lockable preference that was screwed up by an update could be resolve by editing registry keys or Plists?

https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/PrefRef/Windows/index.html

O

OzPreston

Inspiring

Is_rbis -- I would like to be kind and respectful. But again, a non-support person like you should not offer answers that are utterly worthless. You are upsetting Abode customers who need Acrobat to earn a living. I think you should find a new occupation that you can perform successfully, like waiting on tables at a restaurant.

F

fiedler

Known Participant

Same problem here lately. build 20035

Workaround is to open the pdf in Photoshop and add the image there.

J

Jozgurl

New Participant

I have tonnes of pdf documents to insert a gif signature, I cant be opening in PS all the time, right? Its been 4 yrs and the problem is yet to be solved.

O

OzPreston

Inspiring

I think the TRUE WORKAROUND is to install standalone version Acrobat Pro XI. All features work fine in XI. After 4 years of the NON-Add Image Issue in Acrobat Pro DC, I think I will go back in time. I hope XI works in the current build of Windows 10.

J

jerrewfender

New Participant

I'm having this problem today...same thing...what's up with getting it fixed?

ls_rbls

Community Expert

In which operating system did this happened to you?

And what Acrobat product amd version are you using?

O

OzPreston

Inspiring

is_rbis -- Does Adobe even bother to train you so-called Adobe Professionals? Try offering solutions instead of asking perpetual questions. But you are probably clueless ... and offered the best you can do.

AnandSri

Community Manager

Hi All,

I am sorry for the delayed response and for the inconvenience caused, the issue has been reported to the Engineering team, and they are working on a fix on high priority.

We'll share an update as soon as the fix is identified and is available.

Thanks for your time and patience thus far.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

[Edited response]

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peterl19828840

New Participant

Hello All - Is there a resolution for this issue yet?

P

pointoflife

Participating Frequently

Uhm, this is Adobe we're talking about. Of course there is not a solution! Like there ever will be... Sad

tylert89023217

Participating Frequently

I am having this same problem.. been trying to work on it for 30 minutes. yes, our product is up to date and I'm using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC - I obviously was able to at one time because I have images on the document from previous versions. Now I keep getting this message, after trying to copy and past into my pdf that the image cannot be converted to a pdf. Why should it need to be?

Very frustrating

AkanchhaS8194121

Brainiac

Hi Tylert,

Sorry to hear about the frustrating experience.

Would you please share the screenshot of the exact version of Acrobat you are working on? Open Acrobat>Help>About Acrobat DC.

You can paste the screenshot following the instruction given here: https://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-7043#jive_content_id_How_do_I_attach_a_screenshot

Thanks,

Akanchha

tylert89023217

Participating Frequently

I

iman2

New Participant

I have the same problem with a gif. Can't insert a gif - image previews unter the cursor but when I click it disappears. Your hack doesn't help at all. Please help!

AnandSri

Community Manager

Hello Iman,

We're sorry for the delayed response and inconvenience caused. What is the dot version of Acrobat installed? To identify refer to Identify the product and its version for Acrobat and Reader DC

Is it a Mac or Windows machine and what is the version?

Make sure that you have the latest version of Acrobat installed, check for any pending updates of Acrobat from help>check for updates, reboot the machine after updating Acrobat.

Is it an Animated GIF? If it is, it will not work in a PDF.

Is it possible to share the PDF file with us so that we can test it at our end? To share the file, please use Adobe Send feature, login to https://cloud.acrobat.com/send using your Adobe ID(email) and password, upload the file, share the link to files via private message only, How Do I Send Private Message

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

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