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
    2015-02-04T23:41:06+00:00

    Got it, thanks.

    I guess the issue is elsewhere, since I've always had a default printer (usually doPDF, sometimes an HP physical printer) set.

    Seems odd that this problem, which has been reported for Office 2007, Office 2010, and perhaps other versions, has yet to be solved.  Numerous complaints online.  (See partial list above.)  It's common enough that MS has an error message for it.  But not a solution.

    Even the error message "This file cannot be found" is poorly conceived.  What file?  The file I'm trying to save as PDF?  Some file associated with the printer (real or virtual)?  No way for the user to know.

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  2. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-04T23:07:24+00:00

    The issue is that Word cannot operate without a printer assigned as the default (in the words of my contact, "This [not having a default printer set] is not a valid state for Windows."). It doesn't have to be the Microsoft XPS Document Writer; I just suggested selecting that if you don't have a physical printer connected to the computer and installed in Windows. If you do have any printer set as the default in Windows, then that is not the cause of the problem. It was just a long shot.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-04T22:35:39+00:00

    I did assigned the "default printer" to XPS Document Writer, but still get the same "This file could not be found" message. 

    I don't understand how this printer could help generate a PDF.  Here's what Microsoft has to say about what it does:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/print-to-xps-document-writer#1TC=windows-7

    "The XPS Document Writer allows you to create .xps files using any program that you can print from in Windows. Print to the XPS Document Writer when you want to create, send, and share or publish documents that you do not want other people to modify, or when you want to print a document or display it online exactly as it appears on your screen."

    No mention of enabling PDF.

    Update: here is what MS says about the add-in:

    https://support.office.microsoft.com/en-us/article/Save-as-PDF-d85416c5-7d77-4fd6-a216-6f4bf7c7c110?CorrelationId=b358379f-d059-41c1-92ae-bd6e00d0040f&ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

    "You can use the Office programs to save your files as PDFs so you can share your files or print your files using commercial printers. And you won’t need any other software or add-ins."

    This makes it appear that no other items should be needed.

    I already have doPDF and also PrimoPDF, but there are some other issues with these.  And what I really want to do is find out why I lost the "Save as PDF" function in Word, and get it back.  While it lived, it was quick, convenient, and generated much smaller files.

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  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-04T22:18:46+00:00

    The advice was NOT that you use the print facility to create a pd, but to ensure that there was an active printer in Word when trying to use the SaveAs pdf feature.

    If you want to use a printer to convert a file to a pdf, download the free PrimoPDF converter that will install itself as a Printer.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-02-04T20:29:28+00:00

    Thanks for your effort, but there are two issues with the solution proposed by your contact.

    1. If I set the XPS Document Writer as the default printer (or even attempt to use it), the only option for printing is .xps.  Which is not PDF.  Print as PDF is not an option.
    2. The real problemis the failure of "Save as PDF" which is a known issue (many posts on various forums, some of which I listed in a previous thread.  I have the add-on and have installed, un-installed and reinstalled various times.

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