Equation display problems when .docx document saved as .pdf

Question

Hello, All:

I generate documents with equations using the built-in formula editor in Word 2013 (Windows 7).  I have recently been using the STIXmath 1.1.1 font as the default math font (it looks better than Cambria math) combined with other fonts for the body text.  No problems (other than typical Word annoyances) with saving, displaying or printing the .docx versions of the documents.  But, many of the documents are meant for distribution to my students, which I do by e-mailing a .pdf version.  I use the "save as" .pdf option; when displayed (before e-mailing), the .pdf version of the document doesn't display some of the parentheses used in the equations.  Some equations are fine, others retain a set of parentheses in one part, but drop them (leaving  blank spaces that each parenthesis would occupy) in another part of the same equation.  Symbols, exponents, subscripted index numbers all seem fine; only the parentheses seem affected.  This version of STIX is claimed compatible with Word, and it is more appealing than Cambria math.  Any suggestions, either for correcting this problem or for an alternative math font, will be appreciated.

Answer 1

It seems that Office (in this case, particularly Word), doesn't play well with open-type fonts.  The font must be installed on the displaying computer; those fonts apparently cannot be reliably embedded in the document.  Word is (maybe several) inches away from being a really useful technical document editor, I hope Microsoft finally drops the other shoe and gets serious about this (other than better font handling and including a selection of desirable math and engineering fonts, there are a few other "quirks" that could be tamed).

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

This issue seems to be due to an incompatibility of the StixMath 1.1.1 font with Adobe programs and so it may not show some of the parenthesis fine in the PDF. Check which type of parenthesis shows fine and which do not on the PDF. For example: (), {}, []?

You may also check with Adobe support if there is an issue displaying this font normally in PDFs.

Thank you.