I see much about converting a .pages file to .pdf. How do I convert a .pdf file to .pages file?
My MacBook fails to print .pdfs. I want convert .pdfs to a type it will print like .pages or .wps.
Example: A .pdf file has been downloaded from the net. It fails to print (filter failure). How do I convert the .pdf to a file format the MacBook will print like .pages or .wps?
MacBook Air
If you open that downloaded PDF in Apple's Preview PDF reader, and use File menu > Print… does that fail to print the PDF (assuming you have a functional printer and supporting drivers)? Microsoft Works (e.g. your .wps document reference) does not run on macOS, nor does Pages open .wps documents.
Failing the first paragraph, If you have access to Microsoft Word 16.31 or later, or a proper PDF Editor, you can open the PDF in it, and it will convert the PDF to Word's .docx format. You can then open that .docx in Pages with substantial savings in time and document restructuring aggravation.
If you open that downloaded PDF in Apple's Preview PDF reader, and use File menu > Print… does that fail to print the PDF (assuming you have a functional printer and supporting drivers)? Microsoft Works (e.g. your .wps document reference) does not run on macOS, nor does Pages open .wps documents.
Failing the first paragraph, If you have access to Microsoft Word 16.31 or later, or a proper PDF Editor, you can open the PDF in it, and it will convert the PDF to Word's .docx format. You can then open that .docx in Pages with substantial savings in time and document restructuring aggravation.
Although the PDF format gives the promise of cross-platform interoperability, there are many different applications that generate PDFs including Adobe LiveCycle Designer on WIndows that take poetic license with the PDF content generation, even to the extent of referencing Adobe Acrobat plug-ins, or Adobe specific Acrobat JavaScript (AcroJS) to control PDF forms. There are also many different PDF readers that vary in their abilities.
The PDF reader that comes the closest to managing the potential PDF variants from the first paragraph is Adobe's own free Acrobat Reader DC. Apple's Preview is based on older PDF technology and there are PDFs that it will not handle well or at all.
There are several PDF editors that can generate a Word document from a PDF, but no one does PDF to Pages well as Apple has not provided the Pages internals documentation to third-parties. Best to go to Word and then open the Word document in Pages.
I just tried this FREE converter site. Although the outcome isn't always perfect, it does convert PDF files to Pages files.
Try downloading the pdf file and printing from your hard drive. If you move your cursor to the bottom of the pdf window in Safari you'll get a tool bar like this:
The down arrow will download the pdf file to your Downloads folder.
OR use the File ➙ Export as PDF menu option to save the PDF to your hard drive.
I merely overlooked providing you a link to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, as dialabrain has done. The Adobe Reader has a printer icon on its Toolbar. I recommend using that over the macOS Print menu item. You will still need compatible vendor printer drivers for your operating system version, or if a networked printer, one that is supported by Apple's built-in AirPrint (by re-adding the printer).
Saving a .pdf file to drive then attempting to print from Preview also fails. Interesting that a file type as common as .pdf would fail to print. I converted the .pdf to .jpeg, saved it to drive, and it printed, but I should not have to do that.
Preview does not handle some kinds of PDF's very well, especially forms.
If this is something you need to do all the time, get Adobe's PDF reader:
The application for printing is the app included with MacBook M2 Ventura. I do not know if that app has a name. It is simply the Print selection under Safari File. The .pdf file comes to screen from the net. I try to Print and get Filter Failure notice. Other file types will print.
Printing a pdf. saved to drive also fails and produces the notice Filter Failure. Other file types print. I need to find a way to save as > file type > .wps, .jpeg, docx., or .pages then print the file as a word processing file. I do not have Word, I do have Libre Office.
Depending on the PDF, it might not be possible to convert it to pages?
But maybe we can fox the actual problem.
What app are you using to print pdf's?
You may need a Third party app: https://cloudconvert.com/pages-to-pdf
ku4hx wrote:
You may need a Third party app: https://cloudconvert.com/pages-to-pdf
FWIW, that online service cannot convert a PDF to a Pages or Works document.
I do not see Acrobat Reader DC in the Apple App Store, I do find a large amount of various .pdf editors, but not one from Adobe.
VikingOSX wrote:
I merely overlooked providing you a link to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, as dialabrain has done.
I got you covered. 😎
How to convert .pdf file to .pages file ?
