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If you're seeing this page, it's likely because you're seeing strange characters when you use the preview function. Most commonly this happens when previewing a report — such as a Payroll Check Listing — that needs small fonts to fit all the numbers on the page.

When previewing reports, Medlin Software (since 2013) first creates a PDF file. Once the PDF is created and saved, Medlin asks Windows to open it. If you have a working PDF reader installed and set up, your PDF software opens and shows the report. This process has been stable since it was introduced, and is known to create valid PDF files. From time to time, an update to the PDF software you're using (which may have happened automatically, without telling you) causes problems viewing certain PDF files.

Troubleshooting steps

Follow these steps to resolve PDF preview display issues.

  1. Print directly instead of previewing. Instead of clicking Print Preview in Medlin, click Print. This sends the item straight to your printer. You'll see it prints properly, using the font you selected — which confirms Medlin is creating valid reports.
  2. Check your PDF reader's font settings. Make sure your PDF reader is NOT set to "use local fonts," or is set to use the font included in the PDF itself. In other words, let the software that created the PDF decide which fonts to use. When you let the PDF reader substitute fonts, you usually cause a problem. The "local font" option is mainly for the rare case where you intend the document to use a different language than the one it was created in.
  3. Reinstall your PDF reader. If using Medlin's embedded fonts didn't fix it, uninstall your PDF reader and reinstall the current version. This clears the software's settings back to their defaults. We recommend and use the free Foxit PDF Reader.
  4. Try a different PDF reader. If the issue persists, install and use a different PDF reader. We use and recommend Foxit PDF Reader.

Still seeing problems after all of the above? Email questions@medlin.com for more help.

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