Publisher Formatting Issue

Question

I am having problems with a large publisher file refusing to export as a PDF, so I am attempting to just copy text from the current publisher file to an identically formatted publisher file. Same pages, same sized text boxes, same font scheme. I even highlight the text in the box and make sure it has the same spacing. It is an identically formatted text box.

So I cut the 10pt text with 1.0 spacing from a text box formatted for 10 pt text with 1.0 spacing, and I go to paste it into a text box with 10pt txt and 1.0 spacing, and it pastes 9.7pt text with 1.19 spacing Every Time. I have tried just pasting it, since it's the same format, and I've tried pasting with "Keep Formatting", I've tried it with "Merger Formatting", and I've tried it with "Keep Text Only", and no matter what I do it prints in 9.7pt text (which I've never used) and 1.19 spacing, which no one has ever wanted.

How I can make it so that Publisher pastes Exactly What Is On The Clipboard without arbitrarily changing the text size and spacing?

Answer 1

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, none of this helps. I have the text box that I'm copying from and pasting to both set at 1.0 spacing. I select and copy text that is 10pt. I paste the 10 pt text in a 1.0 text box, and it comes out as 9.7 text with 1.19sp. 

It doesn't matter if I paste text only, if I merge formatting, or if I just paste, it Always Changes My Formatting.

I'm not even trying to move pictures yet, just the text, and it's maddening that such a simple task as copying text with a specific formatting and pasting it into a text box with precisely the same formatting results in a different sized font with different spacing.

If I can't find a fix, I think it's time for me to find a better platform.

Answer 2

There have been several users having problems with producing a PDF recently. Here is a link to one of the most recent threads where I list a lot of the potential fixes. As you said you have a large file I would suggest compressing the pictures as a first step. Otherwise check this link: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_publish-mso_win10-mso_365hp/publisher-pdf-problems/52f4d3bb-5591-4948-a751-d3608aeb3ed5

As to your formatting issues, MSFT changed the paragraph settings and the line spacing from 1.0 to 1.19 and 0pt before and after paragraphs to 0pt before and 6pt as of Publisher 2010. I think they wanted to be consistent with Word. As usual MSFT didn't offer any explanation.

You can change the paragraph and line spacing by right clicking in the text box > change text > paragraph.

If you paste the entire page, including the formatted text boxes to a blank page I find the formatting will survive. Ctrl+A to select all on the page. Ctrl+shift+G to group all the elements together (or Home tab > arrange > group). Switch to the new document and a new blank page and Ctrl+V to paste. The group of elements should be arranged correctly but if not you can drag the whole group around to where you want it and then Ctrl+shift+G to ungroup.

If you want to copy and paste just text then copy and paste to the new text box and you will see a small clipboard icon with (Ctrl) and a down arrow. Click the down arrow and choose Keep source formatting to maintain your font, paragraph, line settings and other formatting intact.

If you end up with a font size that is smaller it may be that you have the Best Fit option checked. Go to Text box tools > Text group > Text Fit and uncheck Best fit and check Do not autofit.

DavidF