I have noticed a functional inconsistency regarding the XFDF export and import behavior in PDF-XChange Editor, specifically concerning the thickness (width) of Underline annotations.
The Problem
When I change the thickness of an Underline annotation, this thickness data is correctly written into the exported XFDF file as a width attribute. However, when I re-import this exact same XFDF file into PDF-XChange Editor, the custom thickness is completely ignored, and the underline reverts to its default thickness (1.0).
(Note: When using FDF format, the thickness is preserved perfectly.)
Comparison & Rationality
I fully understand that some advanced properties cannot be retained via XFDF. For instance:
- File Link Actions with complex parameters: These parameters are completely omitted during XFDF export because they are outside the standard XML schema. Therefore, it is entirely logical and expected that they cannot be restored upon import.
- Underline Thickness: PDF-XChange Editor actively speaks (exports) this data into the XFDF file. Since the software itself generated this valid data, it seems like an implementation oversight (omission) that the software cannot understand (import) its own words during the round-trip process. Ideally, the XFDF importer should be able to parse and apply the width attribute of underline annotations.
I have attached a video demonstrating this exact behavior:
- Create an “Underline” annotation and increase its thickness to 5.0, for example.
- Export the annotations to an XFDF file. (The video shows the XFDF source code where width="5" is clearly present).
- <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<xfdf xmlns="http://ns.adobe.com/xfdf/" xml:space="preserve">
<f href="../../../Program Files/PDF-XChange/PDF Editor/PXCLicense.pdf"/>
<ids original="0A945F6DD313D75A46DAB14D056A6872" modified="0A945F6DD313D75A46DAB14D056A6872"/>
<annots>
<underline coords="52.560001,777.212952,377.888245,777.212952,52.560001,762.90686,377.888245,762.90686" title="user" creationdate="D:20260618110515+09'00'" subject="Underline" page="0" date="D:20260618110515+09'00'" flags="print" name="b29b99d8-c075-44f9-ab651055523f2f5d" rect="52.560001,762.703003,377.888245,777.212952" color="#EF5350" width="5">
<contents-richtext>
<body xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:xfa="http://www.xfa.org/schema/xfa-data/1.0/" xfa:APIVersion="Acrobat:10.1.5" xfa:spec="2.1" style="text-align:left;font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;color:#000000;"><p></p></body>
</contents-richtext>
</underline>
</annots>
</xfdf>
- <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
- Delete the original annotation.
- Import the generated XFDF file.
- Result: The underline is restored, but the custom thickness is lost.
Thank you for your hard work on this great software.
Best regards,
rakunavi
- PDF-XChange Editor PRO Version: 11.0.1
- OS Version: Windows 11 Pro / Home 25H2 Build 26200.8655
- PC Model: GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro with HUION Kamvas Pro 19 / Lenovo IdeaPad C340-15IWL
