Merge PDF with Power automate Desktop - Adobe repairs file

[MKmX]

Hi everyone,

we created a Power automate Desktop Flow to merge multiple PDF-Dokuments into one .pdf file. The flow itself works fine and a file with the merged pdf is created.

If we open the file with Adobe Reader it will be detected as damaged. Adobe Reader will repair the file an show the correct merged file. But this results in a "Do you want to safe changes before closing? "-prompt if we close the file. 

Anybody a idea how to fix that issue?

In a first workarround we work the files with a powerhsell script. But this is not our prefered solution.

Happy to get some help.

Kind regards

Marcel

[MichaelAnnis]

I use a program called Adobe Split Pro. It has several features for splitting, merging, and renaming PDFs and can use features such as OCR. It runs about $100 per computer, but is good for life, no recurring charge. I understand you would probably prefer a Power Automate solution for this one instance, but if you deal with PDFs a lot, it is something I highly recommend.

If you are looking solely for a Power Automate solution for this project, is it possible to “save” or “save as” the file immediately before closing, so you do not get the error?

[MKmX]

Hi MichaelAnnis,

thank you very much for your answer. 

Is it possible to do an automation with Adope Split Pro? We need to merge the Files in a Folder if a File in the subfolders is chaged. Also we need to create pdfs out of the changed files. If i understand correctly we need only one Licence of Adobe Split Pro for merging the files. All other users can work with Adobe Reader?

Because of your Idea with the "save" or "save as" i will try to reopen the created file within the flow and safe it again on the same path. Maybe this will help us. 

In our current Flow we are listening to a Change in the Subfolders. After that we create the pdfs with a powershell script (started in PAD) and than we would like to merge them together with the funktionality of PAD. It works fine. Only the "Do you want to safe changes"-promt interferes.

Our users work with many of these generated files. So it is not a good UX for our employees.

Thanks for your help.

[MichaelAnnis]

Is it possible to do an automation with Adope Split Pro?

Adobe Split Pro uses Windows UI elements, so yes, you should be able to use it in your PAD.  There are several methods by which to do similar things.  For instance, the default to merge files is through a dialog box, however, I can also merge files through a text control file, which I create in excel and save as .txt, so you get options.

We need to merge the Files in a Folder if a File in the subfolders is changed.

This is an automation flow issue, and I don't have an answer.  I solely use PAD from an attended standpoint.  However, I believe this function is available in Microsoft Flows.

Also we need to create pdfs out of the changed files.

If you need to split, merge, or extract any PDFs, this program is simple to use.

If i understand correctly we need only one Licence of Adobe Split Pro for merging the files. All other users can work with Adobe Reader?

Yes, I am the only one in our organization who has this, so I do all the splitting and merging and they are saved as regular PDFs for others to use in their own PDF program.  One note of warning:  I have Adobe Pro, so if the computer that you intend to run Adobe Split Pro only has Adobe Reader, I don't know if you may lose some of the functionality of Adobe Split Pro by trying to run it off Adobe Reader.

Good luck.

[UK_Mike]

I found send keys works best, the key to send {Return}

Ive tried to disable this within Adobe but theres just no workaround.

Bearing in mind im not editing the pdf, just opening / reading / closing it.

I always get that popup, even if you scroll down the pages Adobe interprets as a possible edit...