Import PDF files

You can convert an Adobe PDF file (version 1.4 or later) into a single topic or multiple topics for a new or existing project.

  • You cannot import SWFs, PDF portfolios, and encrypted PDF files (files that require a password).

  • If the PDF contains 3D images, save the PDF in version 5 to import the images.

  • TOCs or index field codes convert to PDF.

  • Adobe Reader® or Adobe Acrobat® is not required to import PDF files.

  • Sometimes fonts in PDF files do not convert correctly when imported into HTML.

    Create a project by importing a PDF file

    Note: You cannot import encrypted PDF files (files that require a password).

    Adobe recommends

    Importing PDFs to create a project

    David Rivers
    Do you want to leverage content from a PDF into your Robohelp project? Here’s how you can import PDFs to a project.

    Have a tutorial you would like to share?

    1. Select File > New > Project.

    2. Click the Import tab. Select PDF Document and click OK.

    3. Click the browse button to select one or more PDF files from a single folder. Click Open, and then click Next.

    4. Enter the project information. Click Next.

    5. Select options in the Conversion Options dialog box.

      Topic
      Select how to split the PDF into topics.

      Create New Topic(s) Based On Style(s)
      Activates the Next button. Click to select styles.

      Create A Single Topic
      Creates one topic from the entire PDF.

      Create A Topic For Each PDF Page
      Choose additional options.

      Convert As HTML
      Creates a topic for each PDF page.

      Convert As Image
      Renders each PDF page as a separate image.

      Convert As Absolutely Positioned HTML (Advanced)
      Creates a topic for each PDF page. Positioning the content can require advanced HTML and subsequent editing can be difficult. Use this option if the other options don’t produce the results you want. This option is not recommended for printed documentation.

      Image (JPG/GIF/PNG)
      Select the format for images converted from the PDF. To exclude images, select None.

      Page Range
      By default, all PDF pages are converted. Alternatively, enter the page numbers on which to start and end.

    Create new topics based on styles

    Styles are converted based on the following:

    • The most common style becomes the Normal style, which cannot be used to split topics.

    • The remaining styles are ranked from largest point size to smallest. Style ranking also considers boldness (highest precedence), italics, and normal (lowest precedence).

    • Styles are ordered and numbered using “Heading 1” for the dominant heading style and “PdfParaStyle01” through “PdfParaStyleX” for all other styles. Rename these styles using this dialog.

      Create New Topics Based On
      Lists the styles used in the PDF document.

      Description
      Displays a description of the selected style.

      Paragraph Preview
      Displays a preview of the selected style.

      Rename Style
      Renames the selected style in your project.

      Finish
      Completes the import process.

      Back
      Returns to the Conversion Options dialog box.

    Import PDF files into a project

    1. In the Project Manager pod, right-click Project Files.

    2. Select the file to import into.

    3. Select File > Import > PDF Document.

    4. Select one or more PDF files. Click Open.

    5. Select options in the Conversion Options dialog box.

    6. If Create New Topic(s) Based On Style(s) was selected, click Next to select styles.

    7. Click Finish.