PDFs Edited in Mac Preview (Mojave) Not Opening In Adobe Reader (or Acrobat)

[wilz1234]

When I delete a page in Mac Preview, or combine two PDF in Mac Preview, they will open and display in other users Preview, but will not open in Mac or Windows Adobe Reader (or Acrobat). An error message appears that states "an error exists on this page. acrobat may not display the page correctly. please contact the person who created the PDF document to correct the problem" and only shows blank pages. I have the most recent Preview and most recent Adobe Reader. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe (including using the cleaner).

[Bernd Alheit · Accepted solution]

Don't use Apple Preview. This creates corrupted files.

[wilz1234]

I think the issue might be the origin of the original PDF. I create them through MS Outlook (file print, save as pdf). When I combine two PDFs in preview or delete a page from this PDF it creates the issue.

[Bernd Alheit]

Use Adobe Acrobat, not Apple Preview.

[axelk69459264]

For any future reader who don't want to fork out a fortune for Adobe Acrobat just to combine PDF.

After you have combined PDF in Apple (macOS) Preview, click File > Export as PDF , this will produce a correct PDF.

[ProfCTurner]

Thank you for this, it worked for me. It's problematic that one has to export a PDF as a PDF in the same product to fix it, but it does work.

[try67]

Add some form fields to the file and try that again...

[brian_j_hughes]

This worked for me.  I think Apple Reader doesn't actually combine PDF files when you drag pages from one to another - it just creates a reference to the existing file.  Adobe isn't able to read the reference.  Thanks!  It's annoying, but nice to have a solution.