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Why can't Ava read my PDF?

Updated today

If Ava shows garbled text or can't extract information from your PDF, the file may be encrypted.

Common causes

  • PDF was created with encryption/security settings

  • Some document management systems add invisible encryption

  • The PDF appears normal but has underlying protection

Solutions

  1. Use an online PDF unlocker - Services like ilovepdf.com can remove encryption

  2. Re-export the PDF - Open in your PDF viewer and "Print to PDF" or "Save As" a new file

  3. Check source settings - If creating from DocuSign or similar, check export settings

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