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Adamskidog
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How do I create a PDF from ID, so that when the PDF is opened in Reader, the text is editable?

Aug 2, 2012 10:58 AM

Tags: #cs6 #editable_pdfs #edit_text_in_adobe_reader #indesign_problem

Three different members of Adobe Support have unfortunately been unable to resolve this problem so I am pinning all of my hopes on my fellow users! Please Help!

 

I have been sent a PDF by my client (created via their previous agency) which when opened in Reader (not Acrobat) enables me to edit the existing text (in the existing fonts, granted only Helvetica) and re-save it as a hi-res PDF.

 

I have tried virtually everything to get this to work without success, I can create 'editable fields' but this deletes the existing text and inserts a blank box over the top which I can type into with the default 'Times'.

 

What will ultimately happen is that I will design the documents in English and then they will be uploaded to an ftp for download at various offices around the world. Therefore they need to translate what we have written but retain the same document design.

 

I know this is possible because I have the PDF in front of me, I also know that PDFs in essence weren't designed to be editable but apparently it is now achievable and very useful if I can get the blasted thing to work

 

Very many thanks, your opinions will be most appreciated!

 

Regards

 

Adamskidog

613 Views   6 Replies   Latest reply: Adamskidog, Aug 3, 2012 9:01 AM
 
Replies
  • MikeWenzloff
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    1. MikeWenzloff,
    Aug 2, 2012 11:13 AM   in reply to Adamskidog
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    Hmm. New one to me. I did google and found this:

     

    http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Create_an_EDITABLE_PDF_with_Adobe_Reader

     

    Take care, Mike

     
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  • Adamskidog
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    2. Adamskidog,
    Aug 2, 2012 11:33 AM   in reply to MikeWenzloff
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    Many thanks for your reply Mike, you've nailed it, that is exactly what I need to create and what Adobe couldn't understand in over 40 mins on the phone!

     

    The problem is now, how do I create it? I've downloaded his pdf which is a very useful tool for creating editable questionnaires but I have existing designed documents that I need to turn into editable pdfs. Maybe I can contact the chap via YouTube.

     

    Anyway thank you very much for your input!

     

    Regards

     

    Adam

     
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  • Joel Cherney
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    3. Joel Cherney,
    Aug 2, 2012 11:39 AM   in reply to Adamskidog
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    Well, everything in those PDFs were form fields. You can make form fields in Acrobat - and then you can right-click on 'em and change their appearance, whether or not they'll accept rich text input, whether or not they'll scroll, and so on. It could also be done in LiveCycle Designer, for what it's worth. I wrote a now-obsolete post about this in response to yours before Mike showed up with this video.

     

    Probably most of your work on your designs in InDesign would need to be trashed; you'd need to rebuild the whole thing in Acrobat or LiveCycle. I have to say that, unless your targeted documents are extremely simple, that this is one of the worst document translation workflows I've ever seen in the last fifteen years. It might work - I'm trying to keep an open mind, here - but if you have any non-Latin-script languages in your target list, or if print reproduction is what you're after, or if you're expecting tracking revisions to the translations to be anything but a nightmare, I would suggest that you test this method inside and out before progressing any further.

     
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  • Peter Spier
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    4. Peter Spier,
    Aug 2, 2012 11:43 AM   in reply to Adamskidog
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    You probably don't create them from what you already have. The video demonstrates what is basically one giant form, with a script, I presume for adding more fields. The sample was created using Live Cycle Designer.

     

    ID CS6 has some rudimentary form capabilities, but nothing compared to Live Cycle.

     
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  • Adamskidog
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    5. Adamskidog,
    Aug 3, 2012 8:58 AM   in reply to Joel Cherney
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    Thanks Joel, I know nothing about LiveCycle so I'll have to into it. The editable pdf I have already have is literally a fully designed brochure with overlayed images and graphic effects so it must be possible. It's a real shame that it can't be done in InDesign as if you can already highlight the text in PDF and create form fields you would think it would be the next logical step.

     

    Many thanks for your input

     

    Adam

     
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  • Adamskidog
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    6. Adamskidog,
    Aug 3, 2012 9:01 AM   in reply to Peter Spier
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    Thanks Peter, will definitely look into LiveCycle, bit of a pity as Adobe support originally said it could be done from CS6 so I downloaded the trial but couldn't make it work. Adobe then said that they couldn't tell me how to do it unless I bought the full version which I now have and finally they've revealed they haven't a clue how to do it! I'll have a stab with LiveCycle and report my findings.

     

    Many thanks

     

    Adam

     
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