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Why doesn't it process my PDF when I upload it to the content storage?
Why doesn't it process my PDF when I upload it to the content storage?
Promptitude Team avatar
Written by Promptitude Team
Updated over 3 months ago

When you upload a PDF to our content storage on Promptitude, you might expect it to be processed smoothly. However, you may encounter issues with certain types of PDFs, particularly vectorized or interactive PDFs. Let's explore why these issues occur and what you can do about them.

Challenges with Different PDF Types:

PDFs can vary significantly in their structure and content, which can affect how they are processed by our system. Here’s what you need to know about the two common types that might cause processing issues:

1️⃣ Vectorized PDFs

Vectorized PDFs, often referred to as print-ready PDFs, are designed for high-quality printing with precise control over layout and typography. These PDFs typically contain vector graphics and images, which are not primarily text-based. Since our system is optimized for text-based documents, it struggles to process these vectorized or print-ready PDFs.

What you can do:

  • Convert Your PDF: If possible, convert your vectorized PDFs into text-based formats such as plain text or Word documents. This conversion allows you to use our content storage effectively.

  • Stay Tuned: We are actively working to enhance our system to support these types of PDFs. We expect to roll out updates that will allow broader document type support soon.

2️⃣ Interactive PDFs

Interactive PDFs are more complex as they may include elements like forms, buttons, and multimedia, which are not straightforward for text extraction. Issues with interactive PDFs can arise due to export errors, coding problems, or word count inaccuracies.

Common Problems:

  • Export Errors: These can occur if the PDF file is corrupt or if there were incorrect settings during the export from design software like Adobe InDesign.

  • Coding Issues: Sometimes, text in interactive PDFs is encoded in ways that our system can't decipher, especially if unusual fonts or settings were used.

  • Word Count Inaccuracy: Converting interactive PDFs might lead to incorrect word counts if text elements are formatted peculiarly or placed in unusual locations.

What you can do:

  • Re-export the PDF: Consider going back to the original document from which your PDF was created and export it again as a non-interactive or pure text PDF. This format is more likely to be processed successfully in our content storage.

📌 Tips for Smooth PDF Upload and Processing

  • Check Your PDF Type: Before uploading, identify if your PDF is vectorized or interactive. This understanding can save you time and determine the right approach for conversion or re-export.

  • Update Regularly: Keep your software up to date, as newer versions might handle PDF exports better and reduce the chances of errors.

  • Contact Support: If you're unsure about how to convert or re-export your PDFs, or if you encounter persistent issues, our support team is here to help.

We appreciate your patience as we work to expand our capabilities and support a wider range of PDF types. Your feedback is invaluable in this process, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with your experiences and suggestions.

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