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Why can't I select text in pdf's created from Firefox 4?

  • 6 replies
  • 67 have this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by jerryzak

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I am running both Firefox 3.x and 4 RC 2. In all versions of Firefox 4, when I print to PDF (using CuteWriter), the text of the created PDF can't be selected. It's as if the entire page is now an image.

In Firefox 3.x, Opera, and even IE9 - the PDF's created work just as they always have. All the text and images on page are selectable.

As a REALTOR, I am very dependent on being able to create PDF files in which the text is selectable. I've used Firefox since day one, as my primary browser; but this issue is a deal killer.

And here we are at RC2, and this still isn't fixed.

I am running both Firefox 3.x and 4 RC 2. In all versions of Firefox 4, when I print to PDF (using CuteWriter), the text of the created PDF can't be selected. It's as if the entire page is now an image. In Firefox 3.x, Opera, and even IE9 - the PDF's created work just as they always have. All the text and images on page are selectable. As a REALTOR, I am very dependent on being able to create PDF files in which the text is selectable. I've used Firefox since day one, as my primary browser; but this issue is a deal killer. And here we are at RC2, and this still isn't fixed.

All Replies (6)

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Same issue here and it seems to be all PDF printers from Acrobat to Cute, Easy or Bullzip.

We make billing Coversheets from reports run through the browser. I like to use Firefox but 4.0 locks the PDF like its an image. You cant even edit it with a full copy of Acrobat.

Any known work around?

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I'm running both versions of Firefox side-by-side, and the issue is definitely with 4 RC 2 and prior.

Hopefully someone at Mozilla will catch wind of the issue and fix it. Hate to see them release the final version 4 - with such a glaring issue.

Besides, I thought most people were printing to PDF to save on ink and paper. Surely this issue has been reported as a bug by now?

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I´ve had to remove FF4 and install the old version. If this is not a bug but a definitive implementation of printing module that convert content to an image before printing I will be obligated to use another browser in our company. Hope someone fix this soon.

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I found a work-around in another thread: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/760923

Turn off "Use hardware acceleration" in Options > Advanced & then restart FF.

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carl_l - excellent! That fixed the issue perfectly. Of course, it brings up another thought: will all the PDF apps need to update their code? Because this will likely be an ongoing issue, since we have to turn off a new feature in order to use Firefox 4.

Maybe someone at Mozilla will either come up with a fix, or word will get out to the PDF app developers that it's time for a code refresh?

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Same problem... Printing in FF 4.0 (release) to Adobe PDF using either Adobe 9 or BCL 6 printer driver will rasterize page, and output non-editable document.

Tried "disabling hardware acceleration" workaround -- it works to a large degree... Thanks!

Still, even with the workaround, the output pages include some extra elements that would not be there in FF 3.6 + Acrobat output.

I have updated only 1 of my machines to FF 4 -- the rest will wait till this gets fixed...