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H
hhhhhh_1729
Participant
October 16, 2025
Question

Keyboard navigation of Save As window

  • October 16, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 350 views

Hi,
What keyboard shortcut or keystrokes can I use to choose a folder in the Save As window in Reader? I can only seem to use a mouse which is annoying.

The AI Chat Bot on the Adobe website said arrow keys can be used but they just move the document behind the window until I click on the pop up window. 

In that case, I might as well continue clicking straight on the most recent folder since 99.9% of the time I'm trying to save the document.
Ideally, I'd like to be able to just save straight over the top of the existing file with one keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+S) but it seems like because I'm using the Sign feature on the the document first, both Save and Save As open the Save As window, which I then have to click on with the mouse before I can choose a folder with the keyboard.

I've assumed the 'sign' feature is what's causing this, like the software doesn't allow you to save over the existing document without prompting if you've used it.

2 replies

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
October 16, 2025

It's working fine for me... What's the exact version number of the application (You can find it out by going to Help - About Adobe Acrobat)? Are you using the new UI or the old one? Also, what's your OS version? 

H
hhhhhh_1729Author
Participant
October 17, 2025

Thanks @try67 

It's 2005.001.20756 64 BIT
I'm using the old UI. I can't remember the reason why I reverted back, but there was a pretty significant one at the time. 

Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, OS Build 26100.6584

I mean, it's not the end of the world, but it finally annoyed me enough yesterday to ask the question. Reaching for the mouse feels like it slows me down a lot.

Amal.
Amal.
Legend
October 16, 2025

Hi there,

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

 

After using the Sign feature, Acrobat/Reader treats the document as a modified file, requiring you to use Save As rather than allowing a direct Ctrl+S save over the original. This is done intentionally to preserve the integrity of the original document before it is signed.

Regarding keyboard shortcuts in the Save As dialog:

  • You can press Tab to move between fields (like file name, file type, and folder navigation).
  • Once the folder list is active, use Arrow keys to navigate through the folders.
  • You can also type the first few letters of a folder name to jump directly to it.
  • Press Enter to open a folder or confirm the save.
  • Alt+N can place the cursor in the “File name” field, and Alt+S will click the “Save” button (once available).

However, as you noticed, you must first activate the Save As window with a mouse click or Alt+Tab to bring focus to it before the arrow keys work; this behavior is currently expected on Windows.

 

Also go through the help page https://adobe.ly/3W5ejGb to know more about the Acrobat keyboard shortcuts.

 

~Amal

H
hhhhhh_1729Author
Participant
October 16, 2025

Hi Amal, thanks for the quick response. Alt+Tab doesn't activate the Save As pop up window, it only activates Acrobat Reader then cycles through the other gazillion programs I have open. Even when I use Shift+Alt+Tab to go back more quickly, it still only activates the main Acrobat window despite the Save As pop up being over it. It does stop the arrow keys from moving the document behind though. 
Once I click with the mouse to activate it, it works as expected and all the normal navigation options work. I just can't seem to activate the pop up. It's the first pop up.  If I click on "choose another folder" I get to the normal Save As screen where normal keyboard navigation works.

This one: 

Not this one:

Amal.
Amal.
Legend
October 16, 2025

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing the details. It sounds like you’re describing an issue where the initial “Save As” dialog box in Acrobat Reader doesn’t take keyboard focus automatically, so shortcuts like Alt+Tab or the arrow keys don’t interact with it until you click it manually.
There isn’t a dedicated keyboard shortcut to directly bring focus to that first “Save As” pop-up. You may share your feedback with our development team using the link https://adobe.ly/43nmt0l for their consideration and implementation.

 

~Amal

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