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While at work, I batch convert PDF documents to PDF/As (for digital preservation) using a separate computer from my laptop. However, after a recent update of the 2nd computer's Adobe Acrobat Pro application, I no longer see "PDF/A" as an option for document conversion in the "Converting From PDF" preferences (I know it was available in previous versions as I've done batch conversions to PDF/As on this machine before). I still see PDF/A as an option in the preferences on the Adobe Acrobat Pro application on my laptop. The application on the spare computer was last updated in December 2023, while my laptop application was last updated in January 2024.
Has anyone else run into this problem?
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I have the same issue on a fresh installation.
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Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble, and the delayed response.
Would you mind updating the application to the latest version (2024.005.20320) and letting us know if the experience is still the same?
I tried checking at my end, and the option for PDF/A was available.
-Souvik
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Hey Souvik (and maybe others that landed here struggling with the same issue),
it turns out that in my case the installation file used to set up Acrobat was the issue - but I think this could be considered a bug so maybe something that you could forward to the technical team as well.
The issue originates from a Free Adobe Acrobat Installation being automatically upgraded to the full one by logging in a user that has an Acrobat Pro Subscription.
During this process, the option to create Action Wizard - Actions gets added - however the extra formats and extra functionality needed to perform these actions is not automatically added in.
For the PDF/A format (and almost all other formats, initially the selection is basically empty) to appear in the output format selection, you have to first manually install "PDF Standards" - which should be installed by default in a normal, not upgraded Adobe Acrobat installation.
However for some reason the upgrade from free to Pro Adobe misses installing these PDF Standards, and therefore leads to user complications down the line.
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Thanks, @Jakob38547821i5cn, for the detailed info.
Once the free version is upgraded to Pro, Acrobat will need some time to dynamically download and install all the tools for the first time usage.
In this scenario, the tools might not have been completely installed, thus preventing the preferences from showing up.
-Souvik
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I doubt this was the issue, as the problem persisted with the user for several weeks until we were finally able to find the root of the issue. This is some error/ missing code in the upgrade logic if i had to guess. Was able to replicate the same issue on other machines as well with persistent errors.