Why can't I save my Word 07 docs as PDF files anymore

Anonymous
2012-09-01T00:17:03+00:00

Hi Folks,

I've just found that I no longer can save my Word docs as a PDF file using the "Save as" option. Each time I try I get "File could not be found". I've ran the 'Diagnostics/Repair in MS tools and also followed that with placing my DVD back in the machine and choosing "Repair".

In both cases, it failed. I have Windows 7 64bit and MS Office 2007 Standard I've been running both for about 3 years. I also tried reinstalling Adobe Reader.

There is a strange thing I should mention: When I ran my DVD this last time in an attempt to repair this problem, The window opened identifying itself as the Office 2007 Standard "Trial" !!! So I opened a word doc, went to "Word Options" and then through the several clicks until I got to the "About" window.

Incredibly, it identified me as the registered owner of Office 2007 Standard but the key number it shows is way different than the key number I saved with my DVD I purchased. I'm going to have to uninstall this program if I can't get that Word to PDF option working.

I was able to convert in the past but i can't remember the last time I did.

Thanks, Rich

PS I can worry about that key number mix up later, I just want to know why I can no longer save as a PDF.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-09-02T11:07:10+00:00

    Office 2007 doesnt natively have the ability to create pdf files (Office 2010 does) it relies on a plug-in

    http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-01T19:41:55+00:00

    Adobe Reader cannot be used to create a pdf file, as it states from its name its just a Reader that enables you to view existing pdg files.

     

    Uninstall the 2007 MS add-in or as per the previous suggestion install a third party pdf creater

    Thanks Palcouk, but it seems you've misunderstood me. The problem is that I can no longer save a Word Doc as a PDF File , (.PDF), which everyone with MS Office 2007 should be able to do. (Not create one with Adobe Reader).

    I thought the problem was something to do with the Adobe Switchboard Service program because if you Google the "1053 Error" statement that I've typed in my previous answer, it will bring up issues having to do with that Adobe Switchboard.

    But apparently I was wrong because I've since uninstalled Adobe PS CS5 and adobe Switchboard is no longer in the Services section but I still can't save a Word doc as a PDF!

    So now I don't know what is causing this problem. I'm very aware of third party programs to do the job but that's not the point. In addition, I had stated that I ran the MS Saveaspdf addin but I didn't uninstall it first because I don't know where it is.

    I'm going to try that next but I have to Google how to find it unless you can tell me it's path.

    Thanks again, Rich

    UPDATE: I found it, uninstalled it, installed it, and tried it... No Good. So I have since uninstalled it again. There has to be a reason for this. I wonder if I should put my Windows 7 Home Premium 4bit DVD back in the reader and run the "Repair" option?

    If I did that, is there a better than average chance that I WILL NOT lose my programs?

    Thanks, Rich

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-01T15:56:51+00:00

    Adobe Reader cannot be used to create a pdf file, as it states from its name its just a Reader that enables you to view existing pdg files.

    Uninstall the 2007 MS add-in or as per the previous suggestion install a third party pdf creater

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-09-01T15:00:24+00:00

    Thank you Ramesh,

    In fact, I have tried that download but I didn't try uninstalling it first. But since I've requested this help I have found out a lot more. Last night I went ahead and uninstalled MS Office Standard and installed MS Office Home and Student.

    But that didn't help and so I continued searching until I found that there was a direct correlation between Error 1053 and my attempt to save a Word document as a PDF file. I believe now that the problem is with my inability to start "Adobe Switchboard Service".

    When I tried to start Adobe switchboard service through the "services panel" the following Error appears:

    "Windows could not start the Adobe Switchboard service on Local

    computer.

    Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control

    request in a timely fashion."

    I believe that Adobe switchboard must be running in order for Word to convert to PDF. So I went to an Adobe help site and literally tried every single suggestion they gave other people who had the same error.

    The difference between their error and mine was that they were having a problem with Adobe Bridge CS5. I also have Adobe Bridge CS5 but I'm not having a problem opening Adobe Bridge as they are.

    It was very late last night before I quit my attempts at fixing this problem. Now, I'm about to start "round two" and am going to continue in my research of this Error 1053.

    If you should come up on some information pertaining to Error 1053 that you think may help this problem please feel free to attach a link to your next reply.

    However, the following link is the one that I tried last night and I did every single thing on that page regarding this error in an attempt to fix it with no success. In other words, I've already done the following: http://forums.adobe.com/thread/670652

    Thanks again, Rich

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  5. Ramesh 181.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2012-09-01T04:52:48+00:00

    Rich,

    Try this Add-In.

    2007 Microsoft Office Add-in: Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS

    http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7

    If you already have this Add-In, remove and then download/reinstall it.

    Another option is to look for a third-party PDF printer such as CutePDF, which adds a virtual printer driver to "print" your files to PDF format.

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