Table cell backgrounds lost in PDF to PPTX conversion, especially near special characters

We’re experiencing an issue when converting PDF files to PPTX using Aspose.PDF’s Document.save() method with SaveFormat.Pptx. Table cells in the first row lose their background colors, particularly when they are adjacent to cells containing special characters (like currency symbols or mathematical operators).

##Code Sample
conversion code:

try (Document srcDoc = new Document(inputPdf)) {
  ByteArrayOutputStream outputStream = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
  srcDoc.save(outputStream, SaveFormat.Pptx);
  // Use the resulting PPTX
}

Issue Description
Tables in the PDF have properly colored cell backgrounds
When converted to PPTX, many cell backgrounds disappear
This particularly affects cells in the first row
Cells adjacent to those with special characters (e.g., $, %, #) are most affected
The table structure itself appears to be flattened into text boxes rather than preserved as actual PowerPoint tables
Expected Behavior
Tables should maintain their structure and all cell backgrounds should be preserved when converting from PDF to PPTX.

Additional Information
Aspose.PDF Version: 22.2
Java Version: 21

Thank you for your assistance.

@dfinsolutions

It sounds like you’re encountering an issue with table cell backgrounds disappearing during the conversion from PDF to PPTX, particularly when special characters are involved. This can occur due to how the conversion process interprets the table structure and formatting.

Cause: The problem may stem from the complexity of the table layout or the presence of special characters that the conversion process struggles to interpret correctly.

Solution: Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

  1. Update Aspose.PDF: Ensure you are using the latest version of Aspose.PDF, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements related to file conversions.

  2. Check Table Structure: Verify that the table structure in your PDF is correctly defined. Complex table layouts can lead to unexpected results during conversion.

  3. Simplify Content: If possible, try simplifying the content in the affected cells. For example, remove special characters or reduce the complexity of the table to see if that resolves the issue.

  4. Use PdfOptions: When saving the document, consider using PdfOptions to control how the PDF is generated. This might help in preserving the formatting better during the conversion.

  5. Test with Different PDFs: If you have access to other PDF files with similar table structures, test the conversion on those to see if the issue is consistent across different documents.

  6. Contact Support: If the problem persists, reach out to Aspose support with a sample PDF that reproduces the issue. They can provide more targeted assistance.

Next Steps: Implement the suggested troubleshooting steps and test the conversion again. If the issue remains unresolved, gather the necessary information and contact Aspose support for further help.

Let me know if these steps help or if you need further assistance!