Re: Testing a PDF for Reflow

Hi, Tom,

What are you trying to “test” exactly? In a simplistic sense, reflow
linearizes your PDF file based on the content order (e.g., removing
multi-columnar layouts to single column).

It cannot itself “correct” content order if your document has issues with
reading order due to incorrectly ordered content. The effectiveness of the
reflow feature in Acrobat relies on the accuracy of the source format that
dictates the content order. A lot can occur in transforming to PDF from
other systems, even Adobe products.

You can use Acrobat’s features to readjust the reading order (tags order,
reading order pane, etc.).

If you can share the file and what you’re trying to test/achieve, I may be
able to provide better help.

Ben

On Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 3:01 AM Tom Shaw <tom-shaw@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> Hi all.
>
> I am looking for some guidance on exactly how to test for Reflow in a PDF
> document. I always assumed it should be tested in Adobe using the Reflow
> option rather than the browser.
>
> Adobe has the following guidance, but I am still not 100% sure after
> reading the  advice below:
> *Reflow a PDF*
> You can reflow a PDF to temporarily present it as a single column that is
> the width of the document pane. This reflow view can make the document
> easier to read on a mobile device or magnified on a standard monitor,
> without scrolling horizontally to read the text.
> You cannot save, edit, or print a document while it is in Reflow view.
> In most cases, only readable text appears in the reflow view. Text that
> doesn’t reflow includes forms, comments, digital signature fields, and page
> artifacts, such as page numbers, headers, and footers. Pages that contain
> both readable text and form or digital signature fields don’t reflow.
> Vertical text reflows horizontally.
> Acrobat temporarily tags an untagged document before reflowing it. As an
> author, you can optimize your PDFs for reflow by tagging them yourself.
> Tagging ensures that text blocks reflow and that content follows the
> appropriate sequences, so readers can follow a story that spans different
> pages and columns without other stories interrupting the flow.
> To quickly check the reading order of a document, view it in Reflow view.
> (Acrobat Pro) If the tagged PDF doesn’t reflow the way you want, see if
> the content order or reading order of the PDF file contains
> inconsistencies. Also check the tagging process. You can use the Content
> pane or the *Reading Order* tool to resolve reflow problems.
>
> Source:
> https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/reading-pdfs-reflow-accessibility-features.html#reflow_a_pdf
>
> Adobe themselves say "...and the layout and formatting will always be
> consistent with the original file." which sort of suggests it's a fixed
> view, which is the point of PDF, so it seems to me like reflow is not
> relevant for PDF?
> Any help is appreciated!
>
> Thank you.
>