Cannot extract the embedded font TKEOQF+TimesNewRoman-Identity-H'

[Matt801]

Hi, I keep getting the following error message in Adobe Acrobat DC v2019.021.20061:  "Cannot extract the embedded font 'TKEOQF+TimesNewRoman-Identity-H'. Some characters may not display or print correctly." I am not aware how the document was created. However, I edited the document without issue in Acrobat for iOS v19.12.00. In fact, I can open up the unedited file without issue. Following my edits, however, I receive this error. 

I've looked at the previous threads, but I'm struggling to find a generalizable solution. Any help would be much appreciated!!!

[Dov Isaacs]

I received a private message from this user, downloaded the before and after PDF files, i.e. the original PDF file and the PDF after the edits.

As indicated in the above message, there is no way to determine how the original PDF was created:

To make it even more interesting, I looked at the fonts used and either embedded or not in this PDF file:

What a mess. Arial is provided as a TrueType or OpenType TrueType font in virtually all situations I know of. Were these bootleg conversions or what? There is a mixture of embedded TrueType Times (possibly from a Mac) and unembedded Type Times. Note that I actually have the original Type 1 Times and Helvetica font families installed for access by Acrobat; that's why no substitution is shown.

I also used Preflight's List potential font problems test:

Although no “errors” were found, the mixture of unembedded fonts, multiple encodings, and similar fonts (some used as substitutes for others depending on a user's configuration of installed fonts) almost promises to yield problems when attempting to edit / manipulate such a PDF file in any way.

For the kicks of it, I also ran Preflight's font inventory (attached to this message).

And when I open the PDF file from after the edits, I get the same result as this user on page 5. both an error message and bullets replacing text (possibly the edited text?):

On subsequent pages, all I get is an error with no page display:

Just for the hell of it, I then tried to export Word .DOCX from the original PDF file. Although I was able to get a .DOCX file, the complexity of that file crashed Word and actually messed up Windows 10's font engine so badly that I needed to literally reboot my system.

Bottom line. Try to get the original source files from wherever, edit there, and regenerate PDF. Sorry I can't be of further assistance on this one.

              - Dov

PS:   I wouldn't use Adobe Acrobat Reader for iOS for editing a PDF file since it isn't nearly as robust as Acrobat Pro DC for these purposes, especially with a gnarly PDF file like this.

[Matt801]

WOW!!! Thanks for the detailed response @Dov Isaacs. You layed out the issue(s) incredibly well. This is more than I ever could have hoped for...even if it means there's no salvaging the document. There definitely appear to be some ghost fonts in there reaking havoc. BTW - sorry about my indirectly causing your computer to go haywire haha!! Hope you got everything back to normal. THANKS AGAIN DOV!!! Your analysis was tremendous. As for me, I'm headed back to the drawing board on this one, i.e. the source document.