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Make PDF Un-Editable?

Jul 3, 2012 4:03 PM

Categories: Macintosh Tags: #pdf #acrobat_pro_x #read_only #un_editable

I have a user on Mac OS X Lion using Acrobat X that needs to add text using the typewriter function/button and then print the PDF so that it is un-editable. Since upgrading from Leopard to Lion and from Acrobat Pro 7 and 8, printing to those printers does not work any longer, and Acrobat X does not have a printer. When Saving as PDF, the resulting PDF's text which was added remains modifiable. What the user would like to do is make it read-only.

 

Just now I tried using the Save to PDF/A which resulted in an error, but made the PDF read-only. Is there a better way?

339 Views   1 Reply   Latest reply: George Johnson, Jul 3, 2012 4:23 PM
 
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  • George Johnson
    9,211 posts
    Aug 11, 2002
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. George Johnson,
    Jul 3, 2012 4:23 PM   in reply to kristianlauren
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    The best way to do what you want is to flatten the typewriter text so that it becomes part of the regular page contents, which makes it harder to change, especially since Reader won't be able to alter the flattened text. This can be done with PDF Optimizer, Preflight, or JavaScript. Here is a link to a handy JavaScript based utility that will do this: http://www.uvsar.com/projects/acrobat/flattener/

     

    Typewriter annotations are included in "Textboxes / Callouts" in the Drawing Markups section of this tool.

     

    Note that making a file PDF/A compliant does not make it readonly, though Acrobat/Reader (but not other PDF viewers that I'm aware of) can be configured to not allow editing if it is.

     
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