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Win_Form
Win_Form
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Added text onto form via Acrobat X, modifiable by Reader! How to avoid?

Aug 20, 2012 5:38 AM

Categories: Windows Tags: #acrobat #x #pro

Hi,

 

I built a PDF form (to be filled by end-user later) using Acrobat X.

 

IBut had to make a few adjustments and while doing so, I used Acrobat X ('content mode') to add some texts onto the document.

 

When testing it using Reader, I found that those texts could <edit>, <erase> and <change> the editions made by Acrobat X upon clicking onto those texts!

 

I do not want end-users to make those changes.  How to <fix> those newly added text boxes so it could be <read only> for end-users filling it using Reader?

 

I have checked the 'tab' order and it is all fine, so if the end-user presses 'tab' each time they toggle through my form, they should just fill in the box as asked. And so, it would not affect my text but, if end-users prefers to use the mouse to guide them through the form and accidentally click onto my newly added texts then I'll be in trouble.

 

Please help!!

314 Views   5 Replies   Latest reply: GKaiseril, Aug 21, 2012 7:24 AM
 
Replies
  • Test Screen Name
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    1. Test Screen Name,
    Aug 20, 2012 8:56 AM   in reply to Win_Form
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    Use Properties, set Document Security so changing not allowed.

     
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  • George Johnson
    9,208 posts
    Aug 11, 2002
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    2. George Johnson,
    Aug 20, 2012 10:08 AM   in reply to Win_Form
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    I'm assuming you added the text using comments. If that's the case, you can flatten the contents to the text become part of the regular page contents. This is most easilt done using the following free JavaScript-based tool: http://www.uvsar.com/projects/acrobat/flattener/

     

    Be sure not to flatten the fields, and work with a copy of your form so you don't overwrite it.

     
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  • Win_Form
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    3. Win_Form,
    Aug 21, 2012 5:30 AM   in reply to George Johnson
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    Hi George:

     

    Thanks for your reply.

     

    No, I added the text using <Content> tool and not with Comment.

     

    Will I still need to 'flatten' the form?

     

    What if I were to use the tools from Content, and copy objects from my form, and then cut & paste then edit ... that would be different from adding text using the <typewritter> tool.

     

    What are your thoughts in this?

     
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  • Win_Form
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    4. Win_Form,
    Aug 21, 2012 5:34 AM   in reply to Test Screen Name
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    HI Test Screen Name:

     

    I've also thought about setting securities onto the form.   But the last time I tried, I found through testing that the end-user will not be able to fill in the form, as the form as considered as <secured>.

     

    It seemed as if once the document was <secured> that the fields (where end-users need to fill in) could not be accessed!!  I do not know how it happened as I followed the instructions carefully as stated in the Help section of Adobe.com.

     

    *If you have another link or tips where I could 'lock' my form without affecting the fields, please do share.

     

    Also, the securing document requires a certain setting, so if someone were to have an earlier version of acrobat reader, they would have to upgrade.

     

    My management thinks that would be too much work for some end-users who may not be very computer-savvy.

     

    Thanks!

     
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  • GKaiseril
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    5. GKaiseril,
    Aug 21, 2012 7:24 AM   in reply to Win_Form
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    There are lots a number of options one can set when applying security, You can lock the content layer and allow the end user to fill in form fields and sign the form.

     

    Note that some 3rd party PDF reader programs and apps do not respect Adobe's password security.

     
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