Page content gets squished when exporting to a pdf

[christinechoi]

(The page is longer than the others in the deck) When I export it, the content gets squished to the top of the page. Screenshots attached: one image as how it looks in InDesign, the other, what it looks like in the pdf in Acrobat. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

What platform, OS and InDesign versions? 

Can you post some screenshots with your PDF export settings?

What if you export as JPEG? 

[christinechoi]

I'm running on Sequoia 15.4.1 and InDesign 2025. I've attached the PDF settings. When I export it as a jpg, it looks fine. 

[christinechoi]

I also tried using InDesign 2024, but ended up having the same problem.

[Eugene Tyson]

What height is your page in InDesign? 

PDFs used to have a maximum height limit, as far I remember. 

Try export to a normal PDF and try a setting 1.3 in the export settings - then try a setting 1.6 

See if there's any difference.

[Eugene Tyson]

When I say normal PDF I do mean to use File>Export and choose Adobe PDF (Print) instead of Interactive.

Also PDF 1.3 might only allow 200 inches in height - that's why I am asking to try the 1.6 setting also - as this should theoretically have a much larger height restriction. 

Is there a reason you need Interactive PDF? @christinechoi 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@christinechoi

What if you export PRINT PDF?

[christinechoi]

The height is 113 inches. I got the same result with 1.3 and 1.6 and also with it as a PRINT PDF.

[Eugene Tyson]

Right so that's really strange. And you're using Acrobat right, not an Internet browser or a third party PDF reader - it's definitely Adobe Acrobat? Just double/triple checking. 

If you share the file we can investigate, you can attach an IDML here (File>Export and choose IDML) and attach the file. 

Or if you can share privately with any of us by clicking us and going to the profile and send a message.

You can share via a shared link like dropbox or onedrive etc. 

[christinechoi]

Yes, I've been using Adobe Acrobat. Attached is the IDML file.

[Eugene Tyson]

It exported fine for me out of indesign 20.3 

I did it on my Windows 10 laptop 8gb RAM

so don'tthink it's a spec issue. 

Must be something with your InDesign

I can export all the pages or just that page and it's fine for me. 

Try resetting your preferences:

InDesign 19.3 and newer go to Preferences > General > and click on "Reset Preferences on Quit" and then quit and restart.

Or
Windows: Start InDesign, and then press Shift+Ctrl+Alt. Click Yes when asked if you want to delete preference files.
macOS: While pressing Shift+Option+Command+Control, start InDesign. Click Yes when asked if you want to delete preference files.
A dialog will appear asking to delete the InDesign Preferences, select 'Yes' on this dialog.



More in-depth cleanse of preferences

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/indesign/kb/indesign-preferences-support-file-locations.html

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Reinstalling rarely fixes everything - you can do a complete reinstall using the
Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

[christinechoi]

So I tried resetting preferences both ways, but it didn't work. I'm afraid to use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool since it says it's for advanced computer users and I don't want to mess anything up. I tried chopping the page in half and that worked. Is there anything else I could try to get the full 113 inch page?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@christinechoi

Why do you need it so big? 

You can always export it 50% smaller - 2x resolution. 

Or 10% and 10x/5x resolution - depends on the viewing distance. 

Same way as when people export for large format printing. 

[christinechoi]

It's so big because it's the homepage of a website. How can I export it 50% - 2x resolution?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

It's so big because it's the homepage of a website. 

By @christinechoi

Wouldn't be better to export it in pieces - as separate JPEGs or PNGs - and then have it "stitched" together on the website? 

But would be best to do it as separate pages first. 

Why do you need to export it as a one piece PDF any way? 

How can I export it 50% - 2x resolution?

---

Make it 50% smaller and double the output resolution. 

[christinechoi]

When you say make it 50% smaller, do you mean to go to the Pages panel > 'Edit Page Size' and then change the 'Custom Page Size'? Where would I double the output resolution? The reason I want to make it one piece is because I'm making a pdf showing my portfolio.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

When you say make it 50% smaller, do you mean to go to the Pages panel > 'Edit Page Size' and then change the 'Custom Page Size'? Where would I double the output resolution? The reason I want to make it one piece is because I'm making a pdf showing my portfolio.

By @christinechoi

I would select all and make it 50% smaller. Then resize page. 

When you export PDF - you can set output resolution of the images.

How will you be showing / sharing your portfolio? Because the way you choose to do it - will reflect your "craftsmanship"... If you choose wrong way - you might lose potential client.

[Eugene Tyson]

It worked fine for me so strange it's not working your end 

If it's for a website homepage why are you making a PDF?

Can you export it to PNG or jpg? 

[christinechoi]

It works when I export it as a jpg. The reason I'm making a pdf is because I'm creating a portfolio pdf. The website page is part of a case study where I designed the branding identity, mood board, website, wayfinding, and merch.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

It works when I export it as a jpg. The reason I'm making a pdf is because I'm creating a portfolio pdf. The website page is part of a case study where I designed the branding identity, mood board, website, wayfinding, and merch.

By @christinechoi

So how do you plan to "show" this PDF on your website? 

[christinechoi]

Oh, the pdf would be sent to professors and potential employers.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Oh, the pdf would be sent to professors and potential employers.

By @christinechoi

Then you've two options: 

1) figure out what's wrong that you can't export, 

2) export it smaller - and add a note, that you had to make it smaller, 50% and higher resolution - it might be seen as a bonus, that you know how to send material for large printing - resolve problems. 

But, will the website that you're trying to show - will it look like that - one long Web page? Or those are separate pages that you've just made as a one long strip? 

[christinechoi]

Yes, it would be one long web page, our professor wanted us to make a "10,000 foot webpage" as the homepage. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Yes, it would be one long web page, our professor wanted us to make a "10,000 foot webpage" as the homepage. 

By @christinechoi

Was there a requirement for it to be in one piece? 

Things like that are done from multiple smaller images, that join together seamlessly... 

It's either a stupid assignment - or a test...

[Eugene Tyson]

What's your 1) OS and 2) what version of InDesign and 3) what version of Acrobat are you using?

There's no reason it should be squashing like that. 

Sounds like could be corrupt preferences

Try resetting your preferences:

InDesign 19.3 and newer go to Preferences > General > and click on "Reset Preferences on Quit" and then quit and restart.

Or
Windows: Start InDesign, and then press Shift+Ctrl+Alt. Click Yes when asked if you want to delete preference files.
macOS: While pressing Shift+Option+Command+Control, start InDesign. Click Yes when asked if you want to delete preference files.
A dialog will appear asking to delete the InDesign Preferences, select 'Yes' on this dialog.



More in-depth cleanse of preferences

https://helpx.adobe.com/in/indesign/kb/indesign-preferences-support-file-locations.html

----------

Can you download the Latest Version of Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Reader - ensure you're opening in this application - not Acrobat in a browser (chrome/firefox etc)

Misleading Zoom or Display Settings in Reader
Are you viewing the PDF at a weird zoom level or with "Fit Width" mode, which can make tall documents look squashed.

Can you use Actual Size (100%) view mode in Acrobat Reader/Pro.

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Are you on Windows or Mac? Scaling (like 125% or 150%) and/or ultrawide monitors can make it look squashed in PDF previews.

Try viewing on a standard monitor and can you check display scaling settings in Windows or macOS?