We use PDF files to share documents, but sometimes errors like “an incorrect structure was found in the PDF file” make it difficult to open or view them. There can be various reasons why you see this error message. Common causes include file corruption, incomplete downloads, or software compatibility issues.
If you encounter “an incorrect structure was found in the PDF” error, don’t worry; you can fix it using various methods. In this guide, we have explained a few simple solutions which you can follow to resolve this error. Read this post if you are ready to recover and access your PDF file.
What Does “An Incorrect Structure Was Found In The PDF File” Error Mean?
Before we lead you to an incorrect structure was found in the PDF solution, understanding the error and its causes is essential.
To explain it, the error message “an incorrect structure was found in the PDF” means that the internal structure of your PDF file is damaged or not formatted correctly. This common issue arises in various situations, such as when you try to delete, extract, add, or move pages within the PDF using Adobe Acrobat.
When the structure of your PDF is corrupted, it gives rise to other issues like “a number is out of range PDF error.” These errors happen because certain parts of the file, like page references or data, no longer follow the correct format. When this happens, it makes the file unreadable or causes problems when you try to modify it.
If your PDF files are corrupted or damaged, they may become unreadable, or you may be unable to edit them. Using specific tools or guides to repair the PDF is recommended to fix this. Even backing up your PDF files regularly is also a good idea. For this, you can use tools like MiniTool PDF Editor or other backup software as they prevent data loss if they get corrupted or damaged.
Solutions To Fix “An Incorrect Structure Was Found In The PDF File” Error
Now that you know what an incorrect structure was found in the PDF file error, we can move on to the solutions to fix it. As you can see in the section below, there are many ways to resolve this error. Depending on what caused the issue, you can choose any of the given methods to fix it.
Solution 1: Delete Accessibility Tags
Accessibility tags are designed to help disabled users, but sometimes, they can create issues and trigger the error message “An incorrect structure was found in the PDF.” Removing the tags may help. If you are wondering how to remove tags from PDFs, follow the instructions below.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Launch Adobe Acrobat and open the PDF file using the software.
- Go to the View menu in the toolbar located at the top.
- From the drop-down menu, select Show/Hide.
- Next, choose Navigation Panes and click Tags.
- Navigate to the Tags panel and right-click the top tag.
- Choose Delete Tag from the menu.
- Save the PDF file to apply the changes, and you will be done.
Solution 2: Print To PDF
Many users have found that printing the PDF to a new file resolves the error. Printing a new PDF generates a fresh copy of the document, which fixes the structural problems. So, if you haven’t tried this, an incorrect structure was found in the PDF fix, do it now!
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
- Click Menu or File at the top.
- From the drop-down list, choose the Print option.
- In the Print dialog box, choose Microsoft Print to PDF and select Print.
- When prompted, choose a location to save the file and assign a name to the file.
- Once you are done with the above steps, hit the Save button.
- Open the newly created PDF to see if the issue is resolved.
Solution 3: Convert PDF To Another Format And Back
This incorrect structure was found in the PDF file solution, which involves converting the PDF to another format and then converting it back to PDF. Some users may find this method odd, but many have found it helpful. This process helps refresh the file’s structure and fix potential errors. You can use tools like Adobe Acrobat or MiniTool PDF Editor for this method. To help you, we have explained the steps of both tools in the section below.
Using Adobe Acrobat
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat and go to the Tools menu.
- Click Export PDF and select a format like Excel or Word.
- Next, save the file in the chosen format.
- Open the newly converted file and navigate to the File menu.
- Select Save As and choose PDF as the output format.
- Once done, save the file again.
Using MiniTool PDF Editor
- Open MiniTool PDF Editor and load your PDF in the software.
- Go to the Convert tab and select the format to which you want to convert the PDF.
- A pop-up window will appear on the screen. Now, choose your desired file format and output location. Or you can use the default settings.
- Click Start to begin.
- After the conversion is complete, the new file will open automatically.
- Select Office to PDF and drag the converted file into the window to convert it back to PDF.
- Click Start to complete the process.
Solution 4: Split Pages And Merge PDF Pages
If your PDF contains structural issues, splitting it into smaller sections and merging them back together may resolve the incorrect structure in the PDF error. Before using this method, ensure you have Adobe Acrobat installed on your device.
The steps to follow:
- Strat can be opened by opening the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
- Go to Tools and choose Organize Pages.
- Select the pages you want to split and choose the option in the top menu.
- Decide how to split the PDF, e.g., by file size or page count.
- Click Output Options to set the save location and press OK to create the split files.
- After you complete the above steps, you need to merge the split PDFs. To do this, navigate to the Tools tab and choose the Combine Files option.
- Select Add Files and choose the split PDFs you just saved.
- Press Combine to merge the files into a single PDF.
- Once done, check if the new file has resolved the issue.
Solution 5: Use An Adobe Alternative To End Your Urgent PDF Tasks
When you need to extract, edit, or organize pages in a PDF, UPDF is a powerful alternative to Adobe Acrobat. Not only are the page organization features of the tool more advanced, but they are also efficient.
Here’s why UPDF stands out:
- Insert Pages: Using this tool, you can add new pages from a file, blank page, clipboard, or interleaving insertion.
- Split PDFs: It allows you to divide your PDF files based on file size, top-level bookmarks, page count, or a custom page range.
- Extract Pages: With UPDF, extracting specific pages as multiple or single files is easy. Also, it gives you the option to delete them afterwards.
- Manage Pages: Using UPDF, you can delete, rotate, duplicate, move, or rearrange pages in reverse order.
Apart from these features, UPDF is also a budget-friendly option. Unlike Adobe Acrobat, it doesn’t charge users a heavy subscription fee. With a single license covering all platforms, it offers excellent value. Plus, it allows users to try the tool for free and explore all the features before they commit to it. Best of all, the trial period has no time limit.
How To Move, Replace, Or Extract Pages In UPDF?
To get started, you must install UPDF on your device. Once that is done, you can follow these steps.
- Launch UPDF and select Open File to load your PDF. Alternatively, you can use the drag-and-drop option to open the file directly into the tool.
- Once your PDF is open, go to the left-hand menu and choose Organize Pages.
- Now, you can manage your pages using the options available in the top menu.
- To move a page, click and drag a page to reposition it within the document.
- To extract a page, select the page and choose the Extract option in the top menu. You will notice a new window on the right side of your screen. Select the Extract option again. This will save the page as a separate PDF.
- To replace a page, select the Replace option in the top menu. Next, choose the file that contains the pages you want to use. Select Open and choose the pages to replace. After it’s done, confirm the changes.
Following these simple steps, you can efficiently manage your PDF files with UPDF. It is a feature-rich, affordable alternative that offers tools similar to Adobe Acrobat.
Final Words
The error “An incorrect structure was found in the PDF file” is more common than you think. Applying the solutions outlined in this guide may help if you face this issue with your PDFs. To resolve the error, you can use Adobe Acrobat or other alternatives like UPDF or MiniTool PDF Editor.
FAQs
How to fix PDF incorrect structure?
You can use a PDF repair tool like Adobe Acrobat or other online PDF repair services to fix an incorrect PDF structure.
What is an invalid PDF structure?
An invalid PDF structure indicates issues in the internal structure of your PDF file, which prevents it from being opened or read properly.
What is the structure of a PDF file?
The structure of a PDF file comprises four main parts, including the header, body, cross-reference table, and trailer.
How to fix a PDF format error?
To fix a PDF format error:
- Try opening the PDF using a different software.
- Use Adobe Acrobat.
- Re-save the file using a PDF creator tool.
How do I correct a PDF Format?
To correct a PDF format:
- Open the PDF with a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat.
- Make any necessary changes, like adjusting margins, text, or images.
- Make sure the file is saved in a proper PDF format version.
- If you are facing structural issues, consider repairing the PDF.
How do I correct a mistake in a PDF?
To correct a mistake in a PDF:
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
- Change text, images, or other elements.
- If the PDF is not editable, you can use OCR software to convert scanned text into editable text.
- Save the corrected PDF once you have made the necessary changes.
