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Re: PDF problem with jumbled content in the page content pannel

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From: Elizabeth Thomas
Date: May 11, 2021 2:53PM

(I'm writing this assuming that you have acrobat pro, based on the info you provided)
I'm assuming you don't have access to the source file, or you would fix the issue there. It's hard to offer suggestions without more context. You say it's not correct in the tag tree. Do you mean it's not in the correct order or that the tags are incorrect?

If the problem is that the reading order is incorrect, fix it in the tag tree first, then the content pane. If it can't be correct in both places, err on the side of making it correct in the tag tree as more technologies (including assistive technologies) use that to determine reading order. The content pane is used by a smaller number of assistive technologies (and older AT) and is supposed to be used for reflow. Obviously it's preferable to have it correct in both places, but that's not always possible. Note that the order in which you move stuff in the content pane really matters. Sometimes you have to shift an element's order by shifting the stuff around it rather than moving the element itself.

I do not recommend fixing the order using the reading order tool. That's the hardest way to fix it and the least likely to actually make it correct for technologies. Also, unlike moving stuff in the tag tree (or in the content pane), there's no undo.

If the problem is that some text is not tagged at all, here are a few things you could try:
1. Go into edit pdf and delete the text and paste it back. Then either manually tag it with the reading order tool or go into the tag tree and run a search (find) for unmarked content and tag it that way.
2. If you have acrobat pro, export that page to word. Clean it up in Word and reconvert to PDF.
3. Save a version of the file with only the problematic page and run "auto tag" document. Then clean up the tags as needed.

Not sure that answered your question at all...

-Elizabeth Thomas
CPACC, ADS

> On May 11, 2021, at 1:38 PM, Farough, David (CFP/PSC) < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> On This page the content is all jumbled. There is no rhyme or reason for the way the content appears. Fixing this using the content panel is going to be difficult if I have to manipulate the entries in the content tab for this page. Is there a better way to deal with this?
>
> When I look at the text using the order panel, the text seems fine, but unfortunately the tags do not reflect this. I have tried removing the page structure using the reading order panel and then selecting text and specifying text for the text, but still get jumbled order. Is there a way to incorporate the same page from a different document that does not have this order problem?
> Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions.
>
> David Farough
> Application Accessibility Co-ordinator,
> Corporate IT Management
> Public Service Commission of Canada/ Government of Canada
> <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Tel: 819-420-8418 / Fax: 819-420-8408
>
>
>