Everything you need to know about fixing a PDF missing text and the common reasons why your PDF is blank or shows missing content.

If your PDF is missing text, the document can look blank when you load it in a PDF viewer or print it. In many cases, the text is still there but is not displaying correctly.

It might be because of font issues, software conflicts, or PDF corruption. This guide explains why your PDF is missing text and shares practical steps you can take to fix it.

rendering errors, unembedded fonts, corrupted files

—even when the text still exists in the file.

Viewer or printer differences often cause display vs. print inconsistencies; opening the PDF in a dedicated reader can quickly confirm if the issue is software-related.

key to preventing missing or garbled text

. Always embed fonts before exporting and consider saving in 

 can also cause missing content; updating your PDF viewer, browser, or printer drivers often resolves the issue.

 reopening in a different viewer, printing as an image, flattening layers, or re-exporting the PDF from the source file to ensure full text visibility.

. Sometimes, the software cannot render the text properly, even though it is still in the file. Other times, the file itself is 

. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why your PDF text is not showing up.

your PDF viewer cannot display the text correctly, 

despite the text remaining in the file. For example, a web browser’s built-in viewer might struggle with certain fonts or layers, resulting in PDF blank pages.

Try to open the file in a PDF reader like PDF.net. If the PDF text suddenly appears, you know it was a PDF viewer issue. 

in the first place. Your PDF might have been created with faulty software, or it was exported incorrectly. In this case, the layers or fonts could have been excluded during the process.

Not every device has the same fonts installed, so you need to 

 in your PDF to make sure the text displays exactly as you intended. If your 

, you will likely see boxes or blank spaces instead.

In files created with outdated tools, poor encoding causes problems as well. Encoding is how the text in your PDF is stored as data. If the 

, your PDF viewer will not know how to translate the data. As a result, there will be missing content in the PDF.

#3. Corrupted or Improperly Generated PDFs

Another reason for PDF missing text is that the file itself is 

something interrupts the saving or exporting

 process. When the software crashes, for instance, parts of the content may be lost.

created with low-quality or outdated software

 that does not encode properly. Some free 

 skip embedding fonts or fail to save all the layers. Therefore, your text can appear in one program but disappear in another.

#4. Display vs. Print Issues (Screen vs. Paper)

When you look at a PDF on your device, the software can substitute missing fonts or smooth over problems so everything appears correct. However, when you send the file to a printer, it tries to process the content exactly as it was stored.

printer does not support certain layers or transparency effects

, the text can disappear. With a PDF missing text issue, you can try to print the PDF as an image or update your printer drivers.

4 Common Situations When Text in PDF Goes Missing

 is meant to help preserve formatting. However, certain situations can still cause text to disappear. Below are the four most common scenarios in which the PDF missing text becomes a problem.

#1. The PDF Opens Fine, but Text Doesn’t Appear When Printed

It is frustrating when a PDF looks perfect on screen but loses content when printed. Yet, it happens often because 

You might notice that headings, paragraphs, or form fields are missing, while other PDF objects like images or lines still appear. In some cases, only certain fonts or sections are affected, leaving blank spaces in place of the text you expect to see.

#2. PDF Looks Blank in Browser but Opens in a PDF Reader

You might open a PDF in your web browser and see an empty file. Despite PDF blank pages, you know the file contains text. However, when you 

download the same PDF and open it in a PDF reader

, everything shows up properly. This can be quite a hassle if you usually view PDFs quickly on your browser or want to 

#3. PDF Text Disappears After Saving or Editing

Sometimes, your PDF looks exactly the way you want it. However, after saving or 

, some or all of the text goes missing. You might notice 

This can happen right after adding comments, filling out forms, or 

. The rest of the document, such as images or lines, still displays as normal.

#4. Copy-Pasted Text Turns to Symbols or Blanks

In this case, you can select and read the text in your PDF without any issue, but when you copy it into another program, it shows up as symbols or blanks. This makes it 

 for other purposes, such as searching, translating, or note-taking.

. If you are a business sharing an event brochure, for instance, attendees may not be able to copy the address. This creates unnecessary frustration and makes them less likely to share your event with others.

Fortunately, there are ways to fix PDFs missing text. Below are six methods you can try to recover or preserve your content.

If your PDF is missing text, the culprit could be your PDF viewer. Some built-in ones struggle with rendering fonts and layers. You should 

. If it opens normally, download a new copy to ensure it displays correctly when shared or printed.

If your PDF is printing with missing text, try using the

 workaround. It flattens each PDF page into a single image, so the printer does not have to process fonts or layers separately.

While it can slightly reduce the PDF's sharpness, it is a quick way to produce a complete print. You can also specify the resolution in 

Embedding fonts before saving or exporting your file helps prevent issues like PDF missing text when opening or printing. All you need to do is take an extra minute to check your software's settings. For example:

ensures that fonts are embedded and unsupported elements removed. 

 that can solve problems with PDF text not showing in certain viewers and printers. However, keep in mind that 

 with forms or videos will be flattened or stripped out during conversion.

such as text, images, or annotations, and 

if a text layer is accidentally turned off

, the document may appear to have missing text even though the content is still there.

 try opening the document in a few different viewers

; if the text appears in one but not another, it is likely a layer visibility problem. In many cases, checking whether a layer is hidden and turning it back on can quickly solve issues with PDFs missing text.

, your PDF will just show blank pages or sections. Flattening PDF layers merges everything, so there are fewer chances of Windows or Mac preview PDF text missing.

#6. Update Your PDF Viewer or Printer Drivers

Updating your PDF viewer or printer drivers is an easy way to fix PDF missing text issues. Older software 

embedded fonts, transparency layers, or newer PDF formats.

Therefore, your PDF might look fine on screen but show blanks when printed. Check that you have the 

after updating to see if the ‘PDF missing text when printing’ problem has been resolved.

Fixing Missing Text on Mac, Windows, and Mobile Devices

Fixing missing text on Mac, Windows, and mobile devices involves different steps because each system handles fonts and layers differently.

, the most common issue is missing preview PDF text. macOS’s built-in app tends to struggle with layered PDFs and non-standard fonts. If characters are missing, open your PDF in PDF.net to check whether the text renders properly.

 try updating your PDF viewer or printing the file again to flatten the layers. If your PDF is printing but missing text, 

 using PDF.net or convert it to PDF/A before re-printing.

apps usually provide limited PDF support, so complex formatting might not display correctly. Open your PDF in a trusted PDF reader app like Foxit Mobile PDF to avoid this. This is a workaround; it is still better to view PDFs on computers or laptops.

 if your original file is corrupted, uses fonts you cannot embed, or keeps losing content even after flattening or converting. All of these issues indicate that the file may not be repairable.

with optimized settings. If you no longer have the original file, you can 

 with PDF.net. It takes a bit more time, but it will ensure your PDF displays correctly.

 to ensure they display correctly, remove or 

, and save a new version in just a few clicks. There is no sign-up required, and your files stay secure thanks to built-in encryption. This way, you can 

Although PDFs are designed to be consistent, text can still go missing without warning. From unembedded fonts to corrupted files, there are many reasons a PDF might fail to display correctly.

The good news is that most PDF missing text issues can be fixed by re-exporting the file, embedding fonts, or updating your PDF viewer and printer drivers. If those steps do not work, 

 is often the most reliable solution. Use PDF.net to clean up your files and make sure they look exactly the way you expect.

Your text disappears on a PDF either because 

#2. How do I recover missing text in a PDF?

with fonts embedded. If the file is badly damaged, recreate it from the original source.

#3. How do I know if a font isn’t embedded in my PDF?

To know if a font is not embedded in a PDF, open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat, click 

 is next to the font; if not, it is not embedded.

#4. Why are some of the letters in my PDF invisible or blank?

Some of the letters in a PDF might be invisible or blank because 

fonts, layers, or transparency effects. Usually, embedding fonts or using the “print as image” workaround solves this.

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PDF Missing Text: Here’s Why It Happens & How to Fix It

Discover the 9 best fonts for legal documents to ensure they are clear and compliant. Plus, learn formatting tips on size, spacing, and PDF editing.


Choosing the best fonts for legal documents matters more than you might think. The right font ensures your contracts, court filings, and agreements are readable and professional. It can also support compliance by making your content clear and consistent.

With tools like PDF.net, formatting legal PDFs is easy. You can adjust fonts, layouts, and spacing in just a few clicks. This guide will cover everything you need to know.

 affect readability, professionalism, and compliance

, such as Times New Roman, Century Schoolbook, Georgia, Book Antiqua, and Cambria for serif styles, or Arial, Helvetica, Calibri, and Verdana for sans-serif options.

Legibility, licensing, and consistency matter

—avoid decorative or unlicensed fonts to prevent readability issues or copyright violations.

 include novelty fonts, inconsistent typefaces, poor contrast, and improper sizing.

Fonts on legal documents are essential because they 

directly impact how easy it is to read the content

. A poorly chosen font can cause confusion in contracts, policies, and court filings, where clarity is key.

By using the best legal document fonts, you can 

establish credibility and make sure what you submit meets courtroom standards

. Some jurisdictions or clients may have specific requirements. For example, the appellate court in Connecticut requires paper briefs and appendices to be typed in Arial or Univers.

What Makes a Font Suitable for Legal Documents?

A font is suitable for legal documents if it is 

. This is because contracts, court filings, and agreements are often shared both digitally and in physical form.

Professionalism is also a factor. The best fonts for legal documents are formal, 

 and Raleway, may not render and lead to formatting issues when your document is opened on a different system. When 

, you should use widely supported fonts that can be appropriately embedded.

Decorative fonts, such as Apple Chancery and Brush Script, can look nice, but they are hard to read, especially in dense legal writing. They can make it difficult for readers to absorb critical information quickly. Therefore, it is best to 

Besides choosing readable fonts for lawyers and legal professionals, you should 

. Some fonts require a commercial license for professional or business use. If you use non-licensed fonts in court documents, you risk running into copyright issues.

The best fonts for legal documents are serif fonts or sans-serif fonts. The former are fonts with small "feet" at the ends of strokes; the latter are fonts without the "feet."

Here are five of the best serif fonts for legal contracts, court filings, and agreements:

 and supported across word processors and PDF viewers, making it the go-to font for many legal professionals.

, so it is ideal for legal documents. Many lawyers “expect” Times New Roman to be the professional font for contracts and formal letters.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in particular, recommends Times New Roman in its official guidelines.

. Like the other legal document fonts mentioned, it has wide letterforms and generous spacing. Because of its readability, many U.S. courts, including the 

 in booklet-format documents. You can use it for contracts, submissions, or legal agreements as well.

Georgia is a font with wide letterforms and spacing that 

improve legibility, even at smaller sizes

. That said, it is beneficial for legal PDFs or online contracts that need to be clear on both desktop and mobile devices. If your legal work involves sharing documents electronically, Georgia is a good font option.

Book Antiqua is a traditional and professional font. Its graceful curves and balanced spacing make it easy to read. It is usually compared to Palatino, but Book Antiqua offers a softer tone while still maintaining authority and formality. Thanks to its 

readability and compatibility with most PDF tools

, it is also a reliable choice for long legal texts.

Cambria is a font with strong letter shapes and even spacing. It is in the 

, so it is widely supported and familiar to many people. This makes it 

suitable for contracts, legal reports, and formal correspondence

. Its clarity at small sizes makes it highly recommended for documents with dense text or footnotes, including those 

4 Best Sans-Serif Fonts for Legal Documents

Below are the four best sans-serif fonts for legal documents:

Arial is one of the best fonts for legal agreements. It has clean lines that make it easy to read, even on digital devices. Arial is also included in almost all major operating systems. This means it maintains consistent formatting across platforms. It 

, legal letters, and HR-related legal documents

Featuring uniform letter spacing, its clean design is appropriate for dense legal contracts and agreements. As a standard font on Mac, Helvetica is compatible with 

Calibri, with rounded letters, is a font that is easy on the eyes. It became a Microsoft Office default font in 2007. Therefore, it is a common choice for many business documents, especially 

, Calibri is a reliable font. While this font is widely used in business settings, some courts prefer more traditional fonts like Times New Roman.

Verdana is also a great font for screen viewing. It has tall lowercase letters and wide spacing that improve readability. On 

, Verdana remains a practical choice. It is not as compact as other fonts. However, its clarity can help minimize misinterpretation in 

Font Size and Formatting Guide for Legal Documents

Besides choosing the best fonts for legal documents, it is crucial to be aware of proper font size and formatting. Follow these best practices to ensure your documents appear professional and are accessible in both print and 

ideal font size for legal papers is between 12 and 14

. The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court requires records, appendices, and briefs to be at least 12-point for monospaced typefaces and 14-point for proportionally spaced typefaces. In California Courts of Appeal, appellate filings must use at least 13 points, while Florida Appellate Courts mandate a minimum of 14 points.

The distance between lines can affect the ease of reading legal documents and their overall professional appearance. As such, it is essential to pay attention to line spacing when handling legal writing.

The U.S. Court of Appeals requires double spacing for the Ninth Circuit for briefs and pleadings. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York also mandates this for pleadings, motions, and other papers, except in headings, footnotes, and block quotations.

However, it is necessary to note that double spacing might vary depending on the word processor. To be exact, 

set your document’s line spacing to 24 points for 12-point fonts

Margins and the space between paragraphs are just as important. They are designated to maintain uniformity and readability in legal documents.

one-inch margins on all sides of a document

; for instance, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Some courts may have more specific requirements. For example, the California Rules of Court require each page to have a left margin of at least one inch and a right margin of at least 1/2 inch.

As for paragraph spacing, Washington State’s Office of Administrative Hearings advises using 

. However, as with the best fonts for legal documents, spacing rules can vary by jurisdiction or the preferences of individual judges.

#4. Section headers and numbering conventions

Legal documents are easier to navigate when they have clear section headings and numbering conventions. The specifics depend on each court. For example, Washington State Courts require 

headings and subheadings numbered with Roman or Arabic numerals 

Numbering for paragraphs in North Dakota Courts must begin with the 

Arabic numeral 1 in square brackets (e.g., [1]) and continue sequentially

The Los Angeles Superior Court also has detailed requirements. Line numbers must 

 and be separated from the text by at least one-fifth of an inch. They need to be evenly spaced and start from 1 on each page. There must be a minimum of three line numbers per vertical inch.

bold and italic styles should be used sparingly

. Typically, bold styles are for headers, article titles, or key terms. For example, the New York Supreme Court requires that, for briefs, boldface should not be used except in 

 in certain legal forms, and Washington State’s Office of Administrative Hearings permits boldface to draw attention to corrections in Corrected Orders.

. California, for instance, requires case names to be italicized in forms. The Bluebook, which serves as a 

, recommends italicizing publication titles (e.g., New York Times), foreign words, and any text that was italicized in the source.

4 Font & Style Mistakes to Avoid in Legal Documents

Small font and style mistakes can negatively affect a legal document’s readability and credibility. To maintain professionalism and court compliance, you must avoid these common mistakes:

Fonts like Comic Sans look cute but are inappropriate for legal settings. You should always use formal fonts instead.

Your document will look sloppy if you switch between fonts throughout your document. Stick with one for the body text and one for headings and subheadings.

High-contrast text is an unwritten standard for legal documents. Light-colored fonts, like gray instead of black, can be difficult to read. This is especially true when they are printed after being scanned or faxed.

Avoid using fonts smaller than 11pt or larger than 14pt for body text, as they reduce readability and may not comply with court rules.

How to Format Your Legal Documents With PDF.net

It is easy to prepare and format legal documents professionally with PDF.net

. Before you jump into formatting, you can 

 without losing quality to meet submission requirements.

Once your documents are ready, change the fonts, margins, and add eSignatures that are legally binding under 

. The great part about PDF.net is that it is entirely browser-based. You do not have to sign up for an account or download anything.

Moreover, PDF.net uses encrypted connections to protect your information during upload and automatically deletes files after processing to comply with professional standards. Rest assured that your legal documents will not be stored or accessed by anyone after you finish.

Now that you know the best fonts for legal documents, as well as the vital legal PDF formatting tips, you can ensure everything you submit in legal settings appears readable and professional. Remember to avoid decorative fonts, maintain consistency, and use bold or italic styles sparingly. 

 legal documents in just a few clicks with PDF.net.

#1. What font is used by lawyers and in court documents?

Fonts used by lawyers and in court documents are usually 

. Legal writing prioritizes fonts that are easy to read physically and digitally.

#2. Can I use different fonts in one legal document?

 use different fonts in one legal document because this can 

. If necessary, use one font for headings and one font for the body text, but ensure both are readable.

Upload your file by dragging and dropping it in.

Apply a new font from the available options.

Change the font size and color if you want to.

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