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  • KB387
  • Jul 04, 2023 08:20 AM

Some Files Report an Error Message When Trying To Alter Them in PDF-Tools

Symptoms:

 When trying to perform tasks on a document in PDF-Tools, I'm getting an error message resembling the following:

Cause:

 The document is damaged and, if possible, needs to be repaired.

Resolution:

 PDF-Tools isn't always capable of repairing the damage on a document. In cases like these, you will need to use the Editor or Viewer

**Note: Neither The Editor, nor Viewer, is always capable of repairing the damage - sometimes a document is just damaged beyond repair. If this is the case, it will need to be re-authored or re-acquired.

Open the document in the Editor or Viewer and you should see a warning sign in the document title bar:

 

If you click the yellow triangle, it should bring up a dialogue box instructing you to re-save:

Do exactly that, using the "Save As" function under File --> Save As.

You should now be able to use PDF-Tools to alter the file without issue.

 

**Note: If it isn't possible for the Editor or Viewer to repair the damage, then you will see an error message similar to this:

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