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Embed fonts into PDF export from model builder

192
2
11-07-2025 06:38 AM
Status: Open
DuncanHornby
by MVP Notable Contributor
MVP Notable Contributor

I recently needed to share an image of a model in modelbuilder to an external client who does not have ESRI software. Through the model builder tab > Model > Export I created a PDF of the model. It all looked fine for me.

DuncanHornby_0-1762526692643.png

So I attached it to an email and sent it to the client. For them the text looked like morse code so the PDF was useless.

It appears that the export process does not embed fonts and there is no UI for adjusting options when exporting to PDF in model builder.

I asked the ESRI document assistant AI and that confirms its a lack of embedded fonts but erroneously points you to the export tool under the share tab in ArcPro.

So my idea is simply if you are not going to expose PDF options such as embedding fonts through that export button on the model builder tab then please embed fonts as a default so people can actually read the model!

As it stands if your clients don't have those fonts (and not everyone has ESRI software) then sharing a PDF of the model is completely pointless as no one can read it.

2 Comments
BBicking1
by Esri Contributor
Tuesday

Hello Duncan,

I had notified the MBldr Team and the developer inquired with the 3rd party software used by MBldr. Their response...

BBicking1_0-1766506629134.png


Is the increase in .pdf size acceptable to you?

DuncanHornby
by MVP Notable Contributor
Wednesday

Hi @BBicking1 ,

Thanks for looking into this idea. Would I mind, not at all, but I don't think its really a choice. PDF is a very common format that is used by all sorts of devices running different OS with different setups. If ESRI are going to offer an option to allow you to export to PDF, which would be sensible as so many people use it, then to ensure all people can actually view it, it needs the fonts embedded.

A 1MB jump in size does seem excessive but in to days broad band society quite easy to consume.

I would have though a simple option for the developers would be to have a check box in the options section of ArcPro. Ticked on - embedded fonts, guaranteed to work but large file size, ticked off - smaller file size, only viewable if system has those fonts. This allows the end user to choose when needed and is easy to do. Of cause this would need to be documented in the help file if they go down that route.