Skip to main content
New Participant
January 2, 2015
Answered

'Font contains bad/Widths' and 'Cannot find/create font' errors when saving pdf as Other > Reduced Size PDF

  • January 2, 2015
  • 11 replies
  • 29386 views

I am exporting .indd files from within Indesign as pdf files, opening in Acrobat Pro XI. I have no trouble creating the initial pdf file, however, when I go to Save Other > Reduced Size PDF I get error messages. Depending on the file, I receive either the message, "The font (Myriad Pro) contains bad/Widths" replacing the text with dots or "Cannot find or create the font (Helvetica) Some characters may not print or display properly" replacing text with dots or boxes.

My confusion is that the file is exporting to pdf from Indesign without error, it is only when I try to Save Other> Reduce Size PDF that the error occurs.
Also, it is only occurring on five out of 120 pages. These same fonts are on other pages and I have no trouble at all with exporting or Reduce Size PDF.
More frustrating is that I have never had this problem occur in all my previous versions of Acrobat using the same process and typefaces.

I am reaching deadline on this and cannot find a solution other than to reload Acrobat 9 and ditch this upgrade.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer samuelc80207847

Hi Guys,

I have the same issue. My designer creates a document with InDesign with funky fonts, then he export it to PDF, I modify it with Acrobat and then, I have the font error message... even if it is not visible.

I am on Mac, so I solved my problem by opening the PDF with Viewer, then re-export it in PDF and VOILA, it solves the issue. Thanks to Mac.

Ridiculous that you need to go through a third party software to solve a problem in your own file format...

11 replies

Dov Isaacs
Brainiac
January 2, 2015

At Adobe, we are not aware of any such issue. And I personally use PDF export from InDesign on a daily basis. If you could send me a sample file PDF, we could research this for you. Also advise as to which version of InDesign you are using.

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
New Participant
January 2, 2015

Hi Dov, I too export to PDF from Indesign (in this case I am using CC) and have never had this trouble in previous versions of Acrobat. I upgraded to XI two weeks ago and now I have this intermittent problem.
Where would you like the files sent to?

Dov Isaacs
Brainiac
January 2, 2015

I just sent you personal e-mail with information as to how to send the file(s) to me.

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)