PDF Embed API doesn't display complete document

Report · Jan 09, 2022

I'm seeing cases where PDF Embed API does not display documents completely. It renders portions of the document but not the entire document. Apparently random blocks and areas of the document (they might be tables?) won't render, they are just blank. But the areas display normally when I view the PDF directly in Chrome or any other reader.

It does not appear to be browser or OS dependent. I've reproduced this in MacOS and Windows, and in Chrome and Firefox. It's the same in both in line and sized container view. It was also reproduceable on the SDK demo page: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/view-sdk-demo/index.html#/customize/FULL_WINDOW

The documents in question are invoices from vendors. Electronically generated documents, not scans. I obviously can't easily share them publically. I haven't been able to reproduce the problem in any shareable or recreatable documents yet.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Report · Sep 26, 2024

Most pdfs will have emailto lnks these days, and the pdf embed API almost becomes unsuable for any serious documetngtion, if a simple hyperlink breaks it. Are there any workarounds, apart from using other solutions and leaving embed?

Report · Sep 27, 2024

This issue was fixed a while ago. I've confirmed it's fine just now.

Report · Sep 27, 2024

Please have a look at our implemntation for inilne emnbed https://sinosend.com/d/0Myh3fW
The pdf is from a s3 like URL. At around page 7, the rest of the pdf is blank., unless you click on the next page numbers then they pages show up. The same problem does not occour in other modes apart from inline mode. There is a mailto on the last page, but this may not be realted since you mentiomned it has been fixed.

If you have any suggestions why this occours, please let me know. thanks, the PDF was created from powerpoint.

Report · Sep 27, 2024

I can confirm it's failing in Embed. I opened in Acrobat and it worked ok - but what I saw was the producer, in this case you mentioned it was created from Powerpoint, is Quartz, which is known for producing bad PDFs. Acrobat silently 'repairs' bad PDFs to make them readable, but Embed does not. Could you try using Acrobat itself to convert the Powerpoint?

Report · Sep 27, 2024

It seems that when powerpoint exports from the mac it uses Quartz PDF Context, which means all pdf exports from a mac may fail after a certian number of pages. I created a fresh new poweroint with 13 pages using the template and only the first half shows up: it otherwise opens fine in edge : see the embed test here https://sinosend.com/d/tbhsng8

I then used Adobe reader (sorry dont have acrobat) to open the same PDF, and then save as another PDF, assuming it wont use Quartz this time, but then it did and it still does not open after page 7 https://files.pmgrouphk.com/w/pU8nb0G

So if the problem is Quartz PDF which is the only producer on all IOS / MACOS devices, one must only use Acrobat paid version to create a working PDF that works with embed? Do i have this right?

Thanks.

Report · Sep 28, 2024

If Quartz is producing a bad PDF, then you need another way to create the PDF. I'm not saying it has to be Acrobat, but if it works, then I'd certainly suggest it. If you want to send me your PPTX, I'd be happy to test with an Acrobat export and confirm it works in Embed.

Report · Sep 30, 2024

Hi, There are many users using powerpoint (latest version) to export to PDF on mac, and by default that uses Quartz. multiple document seems to stop displaying at Page 7 for some reason.

Anyhow Here is the pptx and pdf (link valid for 7 days)
https://sinosend.com/d/Qu7Ksd9

You will see the pptx viewer work well, and below that the embed api trys to load the url, but fails to display after page 6 or 7. You can download the pptx and export it to word to see if you get it to work on that side.

Thanks for this, please let me know how it goes.

Report · Oct 14, 2024

I have exteded the link for another month, hope you can download them and see what is the issue, and how we can fix the embed api working with quartx, since all macs use it to export from office tools, ; seems like we are ignoring a big chunk of the market making the product unsuable for larger pdf. (over 7 pages)

Report · Oct 15, 2024

Well I think the answer is to not use Quartz and instead use Acrobat. At the end of the day, Acrobat on the desktop attempts to repair PDFs to make them viewable, Embed does not.

Report · Nov 07, 2024

I solve the problem by switching to SIZED_CONTAINER instead of IN_LINE, really not sure why it worked in SIZED_CONTAINER though, maybe becuase it has a pagination by default and IN_LINE *tries* to load the entire document upfront.