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M
manooooh
Participating Frequently
January 27, 2019
Answered

Corrupt text when part of a document is copied - LaTeX

  • January 27, 2019
  • 6 replies
  • 2155 views

I am using LaTeX to write a document. This is the minimal working example:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage[english]{babel}

\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}

\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}

\begin{document}

aa \[*+2\]

\end{document}

The "*" character is copied as " " . See the GIF:

(I think there is also a problem of spaces between characters).

The problem only occurs on my computer, since in external applications the text is copied correctly.

Does anyone know how to solve the problem?

Technical Information

Acrobat Reader

Continuous Release | Version 2019.010.20069

Version File Version: 19.010.20069.49826

AGM Version: 4.030.00083

CoolType Version: 5.014.00037

Version Core: 19.2560

Version JP2K: 1.002.00002.42216

OS

Microsoft Windows 10 Home Single Language, version 10.0.17134 compilation 17134

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Test Screen Name

I think the prospect of a solution is low. Expecting to be able to copy and paste math symbols is ambitious. You can report a bug here Feature Request/Bug Report Form  but I doubt it will reach Adobe's threshold for fixing it. Still, try it.

6 replies

T
Test Screen NameCorrect answer
Legend
March 12, 2019

I think the prospect of a solution is low. Expecting to be able to copy and paste math symbols is ambitious. You can report a bug here Feature Request/Bug Report Form  but I doubt it will reach Adobe's threshold for fixing it. Still, try it.

    M
    manoooohAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 13, 2019

    Thanks for the link, I will try to fill it.

    This is not amitious. As I already said, copy and paste math symbols are easy using Adobe online app, like those in Google Drive, Outlook etc. Why Adobe does not let me do it correctly in the product I downloaded and in the rest of the same company yes? That is unfair, at least.

      M
      manoooohAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 12, 2019

      Can someone tell me how to solve the problem, please?

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      February 27, 2019

      Ok, I've done some analysis.

      1. The PDF is correct (if unusual). It uses a special font containing a character similar to an asterisk.

      2. The character is actually an asterisk operator (different character).

      3. Adobe call this "asteriskmath" in their list of character names. The Unicode equivalent is U+2217. Adobe recognise this as a character in the Symbol font. This line in Adobe's Symbol Encoding shows the mapping:

      2217 2A # ASTERISK OPERATOR # asteriskmath

      4. Few fonts will contain U+2217, but some apps will automatically find a substitute font with this character in it.

      5. The proper behaviour on copying is open to debate. Unicode capable apps may copy U+2217. Some apps may decide it is safer to copy a simple asterisk  '*' rather than "∗".

      6. Acrobat versions 10 and DC Pro 2019.010.20098 do neither of these things. They leave the character with its original encoding (0x03 as it happens), preserving the font name CMSY10. If you paste into a document with this font available, it may work. Preserving original fonts and mappings is a valid aim. However, in a text-only Unicode clipboard format we should expect to see U+2217.

      I think this could be classified as an Adobe bug, and I'd encourage you to report it.

        M
        manoooohAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        February 28, 2019

        WOW! I did not think you were going to make such a detailed and complete analysis, I thank you very much for the help provided.

        I think I understood everything. It is possible that from a new version of Adobe Acrobat (which should have been an automatic update) the configuration has been changed, since until a few months ago the text was pasted as an asterisk (I dare not say what kind of asterisk, but at least it was not a white rectangle like it has been happening for a few months).

        I currently need many mathematical symbols, including addition, subtraction, division, commas (even this symbol is copied as a semicolon!), etc. Is there a solution (that preserves Adobe Acrobat updates)?

        Regarding the report of the bug, where do you suggest doing it? I thought that this forum was the ideal to make bug reports. What link do you suggest, and what information should I provide?

        Thanks.

        T
        Test Screen Name
        Legend
        February 27, 2019

        Please share your PDF using a public file sharing site, and reply with a link. You cannot add PDFs (or other attachments) in this forum.

        So, did you check for updates in your LaTeX implementation? What are the versions of your main components?

          M
          manoooohAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          February 27, 2019

          This is the PDF: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FMAwfqNwW-fWNToF_e6jiNjy9m8ohPcJ

          As I mentioned earlier, this PDF works perfectly since the problem (I guess) is with my Adobe Acrobat program.

          Regarding the updates in LaTeX, a few hours ago I had to update all the packages.

          T
          Test Screen Name
          Legend
          February 26, 2019

          Please share your PDF publicly, and reply with the link.

          As as it may be a bug in your LaTeX implementation, also check for updates.

            M
            manoooohAuthor
            Participating Frequently
            February 27, 2019

            Test Screen Name​ I would like to fulfill what you say but I am not sure what are you requiring. However, how can I edit my question adding the PDF and how can I attach it to the question (or do I have to upload it to Internet)?

            "As as it may be a bug in your LaTeX implementation, also check for updates" it is not problem of the LaTeX implementation, since when I upload the PDF into Internet and copy-paste the text, it pastes fine ("*+2"), even with any Adobe Acrobat online tool.

            M
            manoooohAuthor
            Participating Frequently
            February 25, 2019

            Does anybody know how to solve this issue? Thanks.

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