Word files saved as PDF give corrupt file message

[BobpHogan]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel Recently, I am getting this error message when I save a Word file as a PDF and mail it.

There was an error opening this document. The file is damaged and could not be repaired.

Thanks for any ideas,

Bob

 

[CyberTaz]

Your problem isn't clear: Does the error message appear (a) when you save
the PDF or (b) when you attempt to attach the PDF to an email message?

In order for anyone to help you need to provide an accurate detailed
description of exactly what is happening. It's also best if you specify your
exact update level of OS X as well as that of any program involved... Most
problems are the result of updates not having been applied.

Can you open the PDF using Apple's Preview app or with Adobe Reader? If so,
there is nothing wrong with Word or the PDF generator being used. Check the
settings in your email software for encoding attachments. Without complete
details that's the only suggestion I can offer.

 

[BobpHogan]

Dear Bob Jones,

Thanks for the followup. Here are the additional details:

Operating system: Mac OXX 10.6.3
Software Word 2008 Student Edition Version 12.2.4
Mail software: Mail version 4.2 linked to Earthlink

Problem: Used Save As PDF file and attached the PDFs to emails. Users got the corrupt file message, and so did I when I tried to open the cc PDF. Does not happen all the time.

Thanks,
Bob Hogan

Problem occurrence:

 

[Michel Bintener]

Problem: Used Save As PDF file and attached the PDFs to emails. Users
got the corrupt file message, and so did I when I tried to open the cc
PDF. Does not happen all the time.

Hi Bob,

does the PDF file that you attach to the outgoing message open correctly
on your computer? This problem seems email-related to me; either the
attachment is not downloaded in its entirety, or there is a problem with
the encoding. Which email application do you use, and which type of
email account?

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Bob;

Thanks for the additional details, but the big question remains
unanswered...

Can you open the original PDF when it's first created *before* your email
client, the Earthlink server & the recipient's email server/client have the
opportunity to have their way with it?

What gets attached is a *copy* of the original encoded by your Mail app, &
what gets transmitted is a copy of that generated by Earthlink. Another
interpretation is made by the recipient's email server & what gets delivered
is yet another copy created from that by the recipient's email program. IOW,
contrary to popular misconception, it isn't like passing a beanbag around
the room. The original PDF (or whatever file type you attach) does not get
*moved* across the internet to the destination.

As long as you can open the newly created PDF, Word is out of the equation
from then on. If the file gets pooched along the way there is nothing you
can do from within Word to correct, prevent or change that in any way,
except for one thing which will help. Make sure you check the box in Save As
to 'Append file extension' (which you really should do for *all* files you
save, regardless of file type). Other than that it's out of Word's hands.

Some additional suggestions for successful attachments:

1- In Mail, go to Edit> Attachments & select 'Always Send Windows-Friendly
Attachments' - the recipient may or may not be on a Windows PC but the odds
are that at least one of the servers involved handle attachments as such,

2- Zip/Stuff the file you intend to attach & send that version.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[John McGhie]

Save the PDF file to disk first.

I suspect that you have not downloaded the entire email, so when you try to
open the attachment, the file is "incomplete" which is thus "Damaged".

This would indicate that your PDF may be too big for safe emailing. Many
email clients will not download things larger than 1 megabyte, and some will
prompt the user if they find anything larger than 20 kb.

Cheers

Dear Bob Jones,

Thanks for the followup. Here are the additional details:

Operating system: Mac OXX 10.6.3
Software Word 2008 Student Edition Version 12.2.4
Mail software: Mail version 4.2 linked to Earthlink

Problem: Used Save As PDF file and attached the PDFs to emails. Users got the
corrupt file message, and so did I when I tried to open the cc PDF. Does not
happen all the time.

Thanks,
Bob Hogan

Problem occurrence:

--

The email below is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless I ask you to; or unless you intend to pay!

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP (Word, Mac Word), Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. | Ph: +61 (0)4 1209 1410 | mailto:[email protected]