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PDF conversion crops Excel Graphics
- Thread starter popsicle
- Start date
Do not copy/paste tables, etc. Use insert Object to bring tables into PM from Word or Excel. And even then you can run into problems. PM does not play well with tables.
Here are some other methods for bringing in tables from word:
Method 1: Print a .PRN file of the table from Word or Excel.
Use Distiller to distill the .PRN to PDF.
Place the PDF in your PageMaker document.
The table essentially becomes a graphic; if you make changes to the table, you will need to create a new .prn then redistill to PDF and replace in PM. This works great for single color documents and outputs perfectly to high-end postscript devices. If your table contains color, I cannot vouch for what will happen with CMYK separations.
Method 2: Select and Copy the table from Word or Excel and Paste into Illustrator (or Paste Special into CorelDRAW, which is reported to work better for this procedure).
Save as a CMYK EPS
Place this EPS in PageMaker.
This is probably the most straightforward and high-end-output-friendly, since the EPS will separate CMYK. Sometimes this method can be problematic.
Method 3: Select and Copy the table in Word or Excel, yeah, yeah, I know I said not to copy/paste tables, but many people have had success with this method. But you must follow the directions carefully for it to work.
In PageMaker, use the Paste Special command, selecting the Metafile option. Word tables must be free from Word styles (other than 'normal'). Then, once inserted in PM, the autoleading of in-line tables should be reduced from the default value of 120% to 100% to reduce white space above and below the table.
In PageMaker's Document Setup you'll want to be sure that your target printer is a high-resolution device, ie Linotronic 500 at 2400 dpi.
Disclaimer: This method is certainly faster and easier than the other options above.
When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
Here are some other methods for bringing in tables from word:
Method 1: Print a .PRN file of the table from Word or Excel.
Use Distiller to distill the .PRN to PDF.
Place the PDF in your PageMaker document.
The table essentially becomes a graphic; if you make changes to the table, you will need to create a new .prn then redistill to PDF and replace in PM. This works great for single color documents and outputs perfectly to high-end postscript devices. If your table contains color, I cannot vouch for what will happen with CMYK separations.
Method 2: Select and Copy the table from Word or Excel and Paste into Illustrator (or Paste Special into CorelDRAW, which is reported to work better for this procedure).
Save as a CMYK EPS
Place this EPS in PageMaker.
This is probably the most straightforward and high-end-output-friendly, since the EPS will separate CMYK. Sometimes this method can be problematic.
Method 3: Select and Copy the table in Word or Excel, yeah, yeah, I know I said not to copy/paste tables, but many people have had success with this method. But you must follow the directions carefully for it to work.
In PageMaker, use the Paste Special command, selecting the Metafile option. Word tables must be free from Word styles (other than 'normal'). Then, once inserted in PM, the autoleading of in-line tables should be reduced from the default value of 120% to 100% to reduce white space above and below the table.
In PageMaker's Document Setup you'll want to be sure that your target printer is a high-resolution device, ie Linotronic 500 at 2400 dpi.
Disclaimer: This method is certainly faster and easier than the other options above.
When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
One of the best ways I have found to bring in excel tables or graphics into a pagemaker is if you have acrobat writer is to convert the graphic directly from excel into a pdf file. in the writer you can crop the graphic so that it is just the graphic then import it into pagemaker. This method provides excellent results.
111011
I agree with you, that is my preferred method. It is fool proof and will work every time.
Another down and dirty method that usually works is to use a free utility from called pdf995. It acts like a printer, so you open the PM doc and print to the pdf995 printer and violá, you have a PDF with all Excel tables intact. It works great for web based PDFs... I have not used it for anything headed for a service bureau, so I would not recommend that method unless one is daring. When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
I agree with you, that is my preferred method. It is fool proof and will work every time.
Another down and dirty method that usually works is to use a free utility from called pdf995. It acts like a printer, so you open the PM doc and print to the pdf995 printer and violá, you have a PDF with all Excel tables intact. It works great for web based PDFs... I have not used it for anything headed for a service bureau, so I would not recommend that method unless one is daring. When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.
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