Why can't I open pdf documents on a Macbook Pro?

[solihullsteve]

I use a MacBrook Air with Catalina Version 10.15.4 (19E287) and I presume this provides up to date adobe software.

For my work, I receive documents from other professionals.  Sometimes they use Microsoft Word to write the document, and then save it as a pdf.  It is then emailed to me via an intermediary.

Unfortunately, when I receive such documents, I get an error message referring me to the adobe website or recommending new software updates, which I have then loaded.  But the inability to open these documents remains. 

I can open pdf documents that have been scanned into pdf format, but it seems that word documents saved as pdf are the stumbling block.

Apple helpdesk have checked my computer and have said I should contact you as the computer is fine. 

Can you assist, please?

[AnandSri]

Hi there!

I hope you are doing well and sorry for the trouble you had.

Would you mind sharing the complete error message you are getting while opening the PDF file created from Word?

What is the current version of Acrobat installed? To identify, please take help from this article: Identify the product and its version for Acrobat and Reader DC

Also, are these Word files are saved as Adobe PDF or just PDF as Microsoft has the ability to save a file as a PDF only which is not the Adobe PDF format. 

Are the owner/creator of the PDF files are using the Save As workflow in Word as this save the document as PDF, but not as Adobe PDF.

If possible, please ask the wonder of the word file to use the Acrobat Ribbon available in the Word document or use the Save As Adobe PDF option to create as Adobe PDF.

Would it be possible to share the PDF file with us in a private message which you are not able to open with Acrobat? Please share the file in a private message only.

You may also try the solutions shared in the following help article: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/cant-open-pdf.html

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[Test Screen Name]

> I presume this provides up to date adobe software.

No, it provides no Adobe software at all.

> Unfortunately, when I receive such documents, I get an error message referring me to the adobe website or recommending new software updates, which I have then loaded.

Please show or tell the exact error message you get. 

[JR Boulay]

Be sure to use Adobe Acrobat Pro or Adobe Acrobat Reader, and not Apple Preview (aka "the PDF killer").

http://get.adobe.com/reader/