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
    2015-02-10T21:20:40+00:00

    Try logging on as a Non-Administrator and see if you can save a word document as a PDF.  My problem started a few weeks ago - I was always able to save a pdf file in Word 2010.  All of a sudden when the PDF file opens it is now BLANK.  No text, no background etc.  For some reason when I log on as a non-admin. I can then save my documents as a PDF file.  I am still looking for an answer as to why it will not work if I am on as the Admin, so if anyone has any suggestions I would be happy to hear from you.

    Thanks, I'll give it a try.  Although sometimes different logons can open brand new cans of worms!

    ;>D

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-16T17:02:16+00:00

    I got it...I am now able to save a Word 2010 document as a pdf file.  Here is what I did/found:

    In Word, go to File, Options, Display and make sure that "Print drawing created in word" is CHECKED.

    Mine was unchecked and when I checked it everything came back and is working as it did before.  The only thing I can think of is that a Microsoft Update may have changed this selection...I know I DID NOT make any changes in the options.

    One other thing I noticed in my saved documents folders was that a lot of my files showed up as PDF's and would still not open until I selected one and told it to default to open as a word document and then they all changed back and I was able to open them in word again.

    I hope this helps others out there.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-07T18:00:56+00:00

    I have the same problem but I get no error messages.

    When I save to PDF it seems to work but I cannot find it where I saved it.

    I'm saving it to the Desktop and its not there.

    If I Publish the doc it works.

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  4. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-05-07T18:30:06+00:00

    Saving to the Desktop is never a good idea. The default save location will be the folder where the .docx file is stored. I find that easiest, but you could also create a separate folder for PDFs.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-05-07T23:21:16+00:00

    "Saving to the Desktop is never a good idea. "

    Can you elaborate a bit on that?  I always save to Desktop (screenshots, PDF, whatever) since it avoids slogging through file/folder menus when I'm in a hurry and I can file at my leisure.  Plus there is little to no chance of misfiling.

    Of course as noted elsewhere and referenced in Jaime's post, my "Save as PDF" doesn't work for Word anymore, but all downloaded PDFs will save to Desktop, and I can use doPDF to "print" Word docs as PDF and save that to Desktop (I've set that as the default destination).  Works great.

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