"Save as PDF" not opening

Report · Apr 30, 2020

Hello,

We save these files in two different ways. We will go to Print (ctrl + p) and choose either "Adobe PDF" or "Save as PDF" in Chrome. They are then given to people outside our network to open. We have had users with the same version of Adobe 2020.006.20042 and the file labeled "Save as PDF" does not open and print. The file labeled "Adobe PDF" opens and prints just fine. The reason we use "Save as PDF" is becuase the email address can be copied and used from the PDF file. Using the "Adobe PDF" that doesn't work. I think it might be some kind of setting but all the properties seem the same. Weirdly the file size is different between the two. Any help or suggestions would be great.

Report · Apr 30, 2020

The other issue we have had is the end user can Open the file but not be able to print it. Error message given just says "Unable to Print"

Report · Apr 30, 2020

What great examples of the right and wrong ways to make PDFs!

When you choose File / Print / Adobe PDF (or any other manufacturer's version of a virtual printer), you end up with "dead" content. Essentially, it's a picture of the content, similar to a scan or fax or printed document. That's why it's called "print to PDF." If you want to be able to copy/paste text as you described, you'll have to use Acrobat's OCR utility to recover the live text from that PDF.

On the other hand, File / Save As PDF or File / Export / PDF is the best method to make a PDF because it keeps your content "live," which then allows you to copy/paste text as needed.

We recommend the second method so that your content is live and also at the highest quality. Use the print to PDF method as a last resort and only if your program doesn't give you the option to export or save as a PDF.

Report · Apr 30, 2020

Let me add onto Bevi's comment that just below the option to Save as PDF, you'll see Save as Adobe PDF. If you select that you'll get the same full PDF.

Let me add that I did encounter one graphic application (not from Adobe) that if you have a multipage document, it will export to a full sized PDF with no page breaks. That may be good for some things but not for other things. Just be aware of that possibility.

Report · May 01, 2020

Hi both,

Great information - thank you for that. My one issue left with knowing the above content is I have had users say that when they recieve a PDF that we have done the "Save as PDF" method from print, it will open but will not print. My guess is that it is some sort of security issue we are passing on but not sure what. THoughts?

Report · May 01, 2020

Quote: ... we have done the "Save as PDF" method from print ...

I don't understand what exact steps you're taking to do this. Can you give us the step-by-step processes you're taking to create the PDF?

RE: Security, that is something you set in Acrobat after the PDF is made.

File / Document Properties / Security and then set the restrictions you want.

Most PDFs are set to this:
No restrictions or security on the PDF.

If the PDF's security is set as above and they can't print, then it's something on their end, either their printer or their settings.

Report · May 01, 2020

Learn more about security settings for PDFs at https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/securing-pdfs-passwords.html#id_71066

Report · May 01, 2020

Bevi

Steps to recreate it

preview opens on Chrome (current version 81.0.4044.129 (Official Build) (64-bit))

then we use ctrl+P

select the option under printer as "Save as PDF"

Save the PDF to a local downloads folder

Attach in email to customer

Customer opens PDF

Clicks print or Ctrl P

Print pop up will come up and look like it is going to work and then error will pop up and say "unable to print"

Option 2 - instead of choosing "save as PDF" we select "Adobe PDF" no issues on customer side but we can't select any text to copy. for email delivery.

Report · May 01, 2020

Quote: ... preview opens on Chrome ...

Chrome is a web browser by Google. It is not an Adobe product, nor is it fully compliant with the PDF standards for viewing and using PDFs or converting files to PDFs. Translation: who the heck knows what kind of result you'll get from using a non-PDF-compliant browser.

Quote: ... then we use ctrl+P, select the option under printer as "Save as PDF" ...

Control + P invokes a print utility, not a true "Save" utility. Translation: who the heck knows what kind of result you'll get when you "print" to a virtual printer. Depends upon the virtual printer that's being invoked and its settings (see next bullet). Most likely you will get "dead" text, as if it has been printed.
"Save as PDF" does not mean you're using an Adobe product to save the file. Many companies make PDF-making plug-ins for browsers, MS Office, and other programs: Although Adobe invented the PDF file format 30 years ago, it is now an open, public standard that anyone can use. If this was an Adobe brand of PDF virtual printer / converter, it most likely would have the Adobe® trademark in the name. "Save As PDF" isn't the same as "Save As Adobe® PDF."
Suggestion #1: install an Adobe brand plug-in for your browser to have better control over how PDFs are created.

Quote: ... Option 2 - instead of choosing "save as PDF" we select "Adobe PDF" no issues on customer side but we can't select any text to copy for email delivery."

Because you used a "print" utility, the text is deadened and you can't select, edit, or copy it. (See above.)

Two solutions:

Using this last "option 2" method, open the PDF in Acrobat Pro. Use Acrobat's "Enhance Scans" / OCR tool to run OCR (optical character recognition) on the file's dead text. It will produce live, editable text that you can then work with.
Use better tools and methods to create the PDFs in the first place. (Note that we don't know what kind of file you're starting with and converting to PDF, or if you're trying to make a PDF from a webpage or application.) Using Acrobat Pro, consider one or more of these methods of making better quality PDFs that retain the live text: Methods to make PDFs