Extract Pages is not working!

[matthew_9921]

Hi all,

I'm hoping that someone can help me out with this.

Until recently, I've been using 'Extract Pages' for well over a year now without any issues. Now, for whatever reason, almost every time I go through the process of selecting the pages that I want to extract, and then select "Extract Pages", the following message pops up:

"Something went wrong and we weren't able to save your file. Please try again later."

I have no idea why this is happening, but it's very frustrating.

The source file(s) that I'm attempting to extract pages from are PDFs. Again, this was never an issue until recently.

If anyone has any advice/suggestions for what's causing this and what I can do to get it resolved, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

Matt

[gary_sc]

Hi, @matthew_9921, as you surmise, this should be working.

But first, I need to ask: is this/are these file(s) locked?

Where are these files located?

Have you done a system upgrade around the time this problem started?

What is your OS, and what release? What version of Acrobat are you using, and what release?

Please answer all questions.

[try67]

Also, does this happen with all files, or just some? If the latter, are these files you were able to extract pages from in the past? Are you able to modify these files in other ways, for example, add pages to them or merge them?

[MattWard99]

All of the PDFs that I'm dealing with are for work-related projects. As I mentioned, this hasn't been an issue until recently (like, three weeks ago). Since then, it's been hit or miss. Sometimes it works (i.e., I'm allowed to extract pages no problem), while other times I get the "Sorry Charlie" pop up message. 

All of the PDFs are one-time only events, i.e., once I'm able to extract the pages I need (and download the new, extracted-pages-only PDF), I'm done. I never have a reason to go back and modify the files in other ways such as merging them or adding pages.
Hope this helps!

Thanks for your assistance.

[gary_sc]

Hi Matt,

Where are these files located? Are they on your computer (Desktop?) or an external drive? Have you purchased a new external drive lately?

[MattWard99]

Hi Gary,

Thank you for responding!

Here's my answers to your questions:

1) No, I don't think that the files that I'm attempting to extract pages from are locked. They are PDFs that I'm temporarily storing/have downloaded to my desktop.

2) I don't *think* I've done a system upgrade around the time this problem started, but I could be misremembering.

3) My OS is Sonoma, v 14.6.1 -- not sure about the release. I looked under "About This Mac" and didn't see anything about a release date. Is there somewhere else I can find this info?

4) I'm using Adobe Acrobat Pro, Continuous Release, v 2025.001.20438

Is this helpful/point to any possible explanations?

Thanks again for your help!

Matt

[try67]

1) You need to make sure. Go to File - Properties - Security. What do you see there?

Also, try editing the file in other ways, even if you don't usually do it or need to do it, just to verify if the issue is with extracting pages, or it's a wider issue. Try merging two files, or adding pages, or changing the file's static contents (with the Edit PDF tool). Does that work?

[MattWard99]

Security Method: "No Security"

Can be Opened by: All versions of Acrobat

Document Restrictions Summary:

Everything on this list is set to "Allowed"

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

What program created the PDFs? Look under the File>Properties menu, Description tab.

[MattWard99]

Under the Description tab I see the following info:

Application: Microsoft Word

PDF Version: 1.7 (Acrobat 8.x)

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Can you show a screenshot of the Acrobat Tools tab and the exact version of Acrobat?

Also, can you upload a document? If it's not for public posting, you can click on my name and message me.

[MattWard99]

[MattWard99]

Do you just mean this (above)?

I'm not sure where to find the exact version of Acrobat.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I just realized you already posted the Acrobat version. 

Can you upload a sample?

If not, can you test one of the problem PDFs on another computer and create a new user on your Mac and test it there. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Minor thing, but you said you have 2025.001.20438. My version says 20458. 

Unless it was a typo, check for updates.

[MattWard99]

Hi Dave,

Good catch, my version of Acrobat was indeed due for an update, however, this unfortunately did not fix the problem (I.e., after I updated it, and once again attempted to use the "extract pages" function, I got the same "we were unable to save your file" message). So, still stuck. I'm going to try your suggestion of testing one of the problem PDFs I have on another computer and see if I get lucky there. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!