Converting to PDF from Word 365 Loses Alternate Text

[Bob Brown KSU]

I have a 300-page Word 365 file with about a hundred images.  All have alternate text. When I convert the file by choosing File >Save as Adobe PDF, the alternate text is replaced with things that look like P279C1T2#yIS1.  I guess these are reference numbers or something, but they don't mean anything to me.

If I use File > Save as and select PDF, the alternate text is carried through to the PDF, but the text part of the document is converted to raster images of the text, which, of course, defeats page readers.  This document is for a state university, so there are accessibility requirements.

Acrobat Pro (32 bit) 23.003.20201  Word 2305 build 16501.20196 (Click to run) 
Windows 11 Pro 10.0.22621 

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

@Bob Brown KSU, It's a new nasty little bug that came with the June 6 update of Acrobat.  Adobe PDF Maker is part of Acrobat and the 2 parts are updated simultaneously.

We have a free online tutorial in exporting PDFs from Word/Office, and Method C that's described will get you around this nasty little bug.  See https://pubcom.com/blog/tutorials/ms-office/export-pdf/index.shtml

There's a longer discussion about this bug at https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/new-bug-in-pdf-maker-removes-alt-text/m-p/1385104...  Adobe engineers have a fix in the works, but there's no telling when it will be available.

[Bob Brown KSU]

I have an older laptop with Acrobat Pro 32 bit 2023.001.20174, Word 2304 16327.20248 and Windows 10 Pro 10.0.19045.  All works correctly on that machine!  Of course, all three programs are different.

Conversion has worked correctly on the Windows 11 machine in the past, but I do not have a "marker" for when the failure started nor do I have a reliable update history for any of the the three software components.  It's probably possible to rule out Windows 11 as I;m sure it was working a week or so ago and June's patch Tuesday isn't until next week.

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

@Bob Brown KSU, It's a new nasty little bug that came with the June 6 update of Acrobat.  Adobe PDF Maker is part of Acrobat and the 2 parts are updated simultaneously.

We have a free online tutorial in exporting PDFs from Word/Office, and Method C that's described will get you around this nasty little bug.  See https://pubcom.com/blog/tutorials/ms-office/export-pdf/index.shtml

There's a longer discussion about this bug at https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/new-bug-in-pdf-maker-removes-alt-text/m-p/1385104...  Adobe engineers have a fix in the works, but there's no telling when it will be available.

[Heideman32503618lb9p]

For simple text PDF format, you can use Zamza, Xodo or AutoDWG PDF to Word as free online conversion tools. These tools can typically convert PDF files to various formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others. When converting, you can try using these tools to see which one suits your needs best.

[Tanvi Rastogi]

Thanks for reporting the issue. We are able to reproduce this with the June update. Engineering team is looking into it on priority. We will keep the thread updated with latest information.
Regards,
Tanvi

[Meenakshi Negi · Accepted solution]

Hi Bob Brown KSU,

Thank you for your patience.

There is an optional patch has been released that addresses this issue. Please try updating the application to the latest patch from Help > Check for updates in Acrobat.

For more information, refer to the following help document: https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotesDC/continuous/dccontinuousjune2023qfe.... 

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

Marking a reply or response “Correct” will help future users with the same issue quickly identify the correct answer.

[Bob Brown KSU]

Thank you.  That appears to have worked. 

The easiest way to apply the patch is through Help > check for Updates.  That ought to select the right version automagically,