PDF DocOfficeCommon PDF Problems and How to Fix Them Quickly
The file will not open
First, check whether the file is complete. A very small size, compared with what you expected, usually means an interrupted download or email. Download it again. Next, try a different viewer, such as a web browser instead of your PDF app. If it asks for a password, you need the sender to provide it. If it still fails, the Repair PDF tool can try to rebuild a damaged file.
The file is too big to send
Use Compress PDF to reduce image sizes, delete unneeded pages, or split the document into parts. If it contains scans, check that the scanner was not set to a very high resolution. Alternatively, upload the file to cloud storage and share a link.
The pages are in the wrong order or upside down
Open Organize Pages to drag pages into the correct order and rotate the ones that are sideways. For simple removals, use Delete Pages. If you want to bring several documents into a single file in a specific order, use Merge PDF.
Text cannot be selected or searched
The PDF is probably a scan. Run OCR, for example with Image to Excel or Word, to turn the picture into text. After that, you can search and edit it.
It prints the wrong size or cuts off the edges
Check the page size inside the PDF. A US Letter file on A4 paper can be scaled or cropped. Resize Pages converts it to A4 or Letter first. In the print dialog, choose 'fit to page' only if you want scaling.
The converted Word or Excel file looks wrong
Complex layouts are difficult to rebuild. Try converting the original PDF rather than a scan of it, split large files, and remember to proofread. For tables, check column alignment and number formats in Excel.
I cannot edit or print the file
It may have a permission password. If you own the document and know the password, Unlock PDF can create a copy without restrictions. Do not use it on files you are not allowed to open.
Related guides
- How to Repair a Corrupted PDF That Will Not Open
- How to Compress a PDF and Reduce File Size Without Losing Readability
- How to Reorder, Rotate and Remove PDF Pages