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Mike151
Known Participant
October 8, 2021
Question

Can't convert powerpoint files to pdfs.

  • October 8, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 14029 views

I'm helping an instructor who is having trouble converting powerpoint presentations to pdfs.  She using using Adobe DC Pro 2021.007.20095 with Office 2019 on a Dell Latitude machine with Windows 10 Education version 64 bit.  A message comes up "Adobe PDFMaker files plugin isn't enabled.  would you like to enable it?"  Click yes or No.  We click Yes and the user right clicks on the Powerpoint file and clicks Convert file to pdf.  Another message comes up saying "Adobe PDFMaker files are mssing.  Do you want to run repair mode?  I click Yes and the repair installation goes through.  Do we need to reboot after this?  Is there a patch that will fix this?

3 replies

Participant
May 2, 2025

The issue you're facing is likely because the Adobe PDFMaker plugin isn’t fully enabled. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Enable the Plugin:

    • When you get the "Adobe PDFMaker plugin isn’t enabled" message, click Yes.

    • If it still doesn’t work, try going to PowerPoint > File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, select COM Add-ins and click Go. Make sure Adobe PDFMaker is checked.

  2. Repair Installation:

    • When the repair mode runs, let it finish, and then reboot the computer. This should help fix any remaining issues.

  3. Check for Updates:

    • Make sure both Adobe Acrobat and Office 2019 are up to date. You can check for updates in Adobe under Help > Check for Updates and in Office under File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

  4. Try ‘Save As’ PDF:

    • As a backup, open the PowerPoint file, go to File > Save As, and choose PDF from the options.

Community Expert
October 11, 2021

Hi,

Maybe Harsh's suggestion has resolved the situation. I'd agree that remove and adding back the PDFMaker plugin would be worth trying. Does it work if you if instead od Saving as PDF, you go to Print and choose Adobe PDF?

Mike151
Mike151Author
Known Participant
October 11, 2021

I'll try this next when I talk to the instructor sometime this week.

Mike151
Mike151Author
Known Participant
November 2, 2021

These instructions worked.  Thank you!


I spoke too soon.  The same instructor contacted me yesterday.  Adobe DC Pro is locking up during the creation of her Powerpoint files to .pdf. 

Harsh Vardhan Pareek
Community Manager
Community Manager
October 11, 2021

Hi @Mike151,

 

Hope you are doing well.

As per the issue description that the user is not able to convert PowerPoint files to PDF. The solution is to go into MS PowerPoint> options>Add-ins>COM add-ins, and re-enable to Adobe PDF Maker add-in.

 

Here is a help document you can refer to: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-acrobat-pdfmaker-problems-office.html

 

Let us know if that helps.

 

Thanks,

Harsh

Mike151
Mike151Author
Known Participant
October 11, 2021

I tried that and it didn't seem to work.