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How do I add a font in Adobe Acrobat?

Published in Adobe Acrobat 3 mins read

Adding a font to permanently install it on your system is a different process than embedding a font within a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat. This response focuses on embedding fonts within a PDF so that it can be viewed correctly on systems without those fonts installed. Adobe Acrobat does not install fonts onto your operating system.

Here's how you can embed fonts into a PDF using Adobe Acrobat:

  1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
  2. Go to File > Properties. This will open the Document Properties window.
  3. Select the "Fonts" tab. This tab displays the fonts used in your PDF and whether they are embedded.
  4. If fonts are not embedded, you need to recreate the PDF with embedded fonts. This is typically done in the application you used to create the original document (e.g., Microsoft Word, InDesign).

How to embed fonts when creating the PDF (recommended):

The most reliable way to ensure fonts are displayed correctly is to embed them when creating the PDF. Here's how to do it from common applications:

  • Microsoft Word (or other Office applications):

    • Go to File > Save As > PDF.
    • Click Options.
    • Make sure the "Embed fonts in the file" box is checked.

  • Adobe InDesign:

    • Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > [Choose a preset or Define...].
    • In the PDF Export dialog box, go to the Advanced tab.
    • Ensure that the "Subset fonts when percent of characters used is less than: [value]%" is properly configured. If set to a low value, ensure all characters are included in the document for proper embedding. Consider setting to 100% to embed all fonts used within the document.

  • Adobe Acrobat Distiller (less common now, but still relevant):

    1. Open Adobe Acrobat Distiller.
    2. Go to Settings > Edit Adobe PDF Settings.
    3. Navigate to the Fonts panel.
    4. Ensure that "Embed all fonts" is checked. You can also manage exceptions here (fonts you don't want to embed).

Why embed fonts?

  • Consistent Appearance: Ensures your document looks the same regardless of the viewer's installed fonts.
  • Prevents Font Substitution: Avoids the PDF viewer replacing missing fonts with default fonts, which can change the layout and readability.

Important Considerations:

  • Font Licensing: Be aware of font licensing restrictions. Some fonts may not allow embedding.
  • File Size: Embedding fonts increases the file size of your PDF.
  • PDF/A Compliance: If you need to create a PDF/A compliant document (for archiving), embedding fonts is mandatory.

By embedding fonts during the PDF creation process, you guarantee a consistent and professional viewing experience for your audience.

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