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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Copying pdf files

plantsower - Oct 22, 2007 - 8:58 pm

I want to copy and paste a section of a pdf file, but I can't. I can select it and use "copy" function, but it won't paste into Appleworks. I can get the last line to paste in but nothing above it. Weird. Do I need special software to do this or is there a trick to copying and pasting from a pdf file?

Thanks.

Rita

earthsaver - Oct 22, 2007 - 10:21 pm

Two thoughts:

1. Try holding Option while dragging to select text. You'll draw a box around the blocks of text you want, which will highlight as you go. Then copy.

2. Try pasting into TextEdit instead of AppleWorks.

- Ben

plantsower - Oct 23, 2007 - 12:43 am

Hi Ben:

I tried your suggestions but no luck.

Rita

earthsaver - Oct 23, 2007 - 7:26 am

Is it only not working with one particular file? If so, it's probably a problem with the file. Two more ideas:

1. Duplicate the file in the Finder and try copying from the duplicate.

2. Open with Adobe Reader instead of Preview and try copying from it.

Where did this PDF come from?

plantsower - Oct 23, 2007 - 6:54 pm

I don't know what you mean by copying it into the Finder. Would you explain this?

2. I don't have Adobe, I have whatever came with my iBook G4, Tiger. I've tried it in Preview and regular view with no luck.

They sell conversion kits from PDF to HTML. I have a feeling this just can't be done without it. I'm not sure if it's the file I'm using or all files. I can send you the file to see if you can do it.

Thanks.

Rita

earthsaver - Oct 23, 2007 - 10:27 pm

When you select the file in the Finder, there's a Duplicate command in the File menu (Command+D). Doing so will create a copy that you can test.

I'm pretty sure Tiger came with a version of Adobe Reader. If not you can download it.

If the file is downloadable from the Internet somewhere Google can find it, Google can show you an HTML version. Or, if you like, you can send me the file or a link to download it and I can try it on my end.

When you say you're not sure if it's one or more files, have you tested other files to confirm?

plantsower - Oct 24, 2007 - 1:24 am

Here is the link to the pdf. I don't have another pdf to check, so I can't tell you if it's just this one. I duplicated my file from the Finder but still couldn't paste it.

I looked in my "Mac OS X Tiger Edition, The Missing Manual" by David Pogue. It says If you want to copy text out of a PDF doc for pasting into a word processor, click Text Tool, drag through the text and then copy and paste. That didn't work either. I am beginning to think it's the file.

That book also says that there is no Adobe Reader in Tiger. PDF capabilities are built into OS X.

Here is the url to the pdf file. Thanks for your persistence. http://www.reiki.org/Download/treatment%20form.pdf

earthsaver - Oct 24, 2007 - 2:53 pm

Very strange. I was able to copy text from page 3. Trying from page 1, though, pasted content appeared all in white and was impossible to change color. I tried both Preview and Adobe Reader. I would contact the owner/Webmaster of reiki.org to request a new form.

So, I just used Google to convert the file to HTML. You'll notice how the content of page 3 is text and the rest is all junk, suggesting a different encoding type.

plantsower - Oct 24, 2007 - 3:29 pm

Thanks for your help in figuring this out. I thought I had lost my touch.

Are you telling me that Google has a conversion program to HTML? I would like to know how to use that or be pointed to the directions on Google. Thanks again for everything. I really appreciate your time.

Rita

earthsaver - Oct 24, 2007 - 3:56 pm

As you would have seen in my search query, you can use Google to search any Web site that doesn't have a custom database structure that's incompatible with it. Just type site:domain.com, replacing the second half with the site you want to search and follow with a space and your search query.

Any PDF that Google can find Google can show you in HTML.

plantsower - Oct 24, 2007 - 7:06 pm

Believe me, I did look at your search queary, I just didn't understand how you got there. Thanks for all your help.