PDFs and ODFs not rendering properly across different computers

[doubleKK]

Created an ODF on a windows install of libreoffice, also exported as PDF.
Later tried to view that ODF and PDF on another install of libreoffice on arch linux.

Both were malformed, how could this happen? I’m willing to add more details if needed but it’s so shocking that libreoffice cant render its own format properly across multiple computers. not only that, but it cant render PDFs properly across multiple computers. I don’t understand how I can rely on something like this, I fear I’ve sent malformed resumes to people not realizing.

To add: The PDF renders fine on google drive so I’m compelled to believe that the problem lies specifically and solely on the version of libreoffice I got from the arch repo.

[EarnestAl]

Do you have the fonts included in the document installed on the second computer? If the font name is shown in italics then the required font is not available and a substitute font is used.
This image shows the name of the font in the document but shows it is not available:

[doubleKK]

Isn’t that the point of the PDF format? I thought all you needed was a PDF file and a reader and it would look the same everywhere.

[EarnestAl]

If the font is embedded in the pdf document, then the pdf reader should be able to render the document correctly.
Note that

• some fonts cannot be embedded due to their licensing provisions.
• some programs that can read pdfs cannot use the embedded fonts, e.g. Draw

See also Embedding Fonts

Using common fonts decrease the chances of font problems: Arial/Liberation Sans/Helvetica or Times New Roman/Liberation Serif/Times Roman

[doubleKK]

Seems the issue was that Arch didn’t have Liberation Serif. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. How do I instruct libreoffice to embed fonts in PDFs? Liberation Serif is open source so I would assume it would auto embed.

[EarnestAl]

I assume you can find liberation fonts OK. Note that you can install some Microsoft fonts, Microsoft fonts - ArchWiki

Instructions for installation are at Fonts - ArchWiki

[Wanderer]

@doubleKK

Liberation Serif is open source so I would assume it would auto embed.

There is no “embedd all available open source” rule (but we could include LibreOffice in every letter we send then…). Also, while a font may prohibit embedding a missing flag doesn’t tell “you” are allowed to use it. Sometimes your licence came on paper - old school I know, but still existing.
.
To keep files smaller (yes, also old ideas) default is not to embed fonts.

[mikekaganski]

@doubleKK

How do I instruct libreoffice to embed fonts in PDFs?

@Wanderer

To keep files smaller (yes, also old ideas) default is not to embed fonts.

No, given that the focus is on PDF - the default is to embed fonts (and that is not even configurable).
Which PDF reader shows it malformed? Note that opening PDFs in LibreOffice itself is expected to not use fonts embedded in PDFs (LibreOffice needs normal fonts, it is not a PDF viewer, for which an embedded subset would suffice). Also, attach a sample PDF displaying the issue, and a screenshot of its malformed view. Thanks.