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A
Anonymous
March 26, 2018
Answered

Overwriting PDF Files while opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader

  • March 26, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 6862 views

Hi

I am using LaTeX (TeXStudio) to write some PDF Files and it does not let me compile when the pdf file is open in acrobat reader (AR). That's because AR somehow has this feature to lock files, so they can not be changed while opened. That is pretty annoying when using latex, that's why I used the sumatra reader for years now because you can still overwrite pdf-files while they are viewed in sumatra.

However I really would prefer to use AR since in my opinion it is the better PDF Viewer and sumatra has only very basic viewing options.

So my question is:

Is there any option in AR to allow pdf files being changed while opened?

I would be very grateful if such an option exists, so I can get rid of my other pdf viewer.

Best regards,

John

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Test Screen Name

The answer is no. Acrobat and Reader are "lazy" readers. They only read from the PDF file as it is needed. So if you were to overwrite the file, suddenly things would be in the wrong place, leading to crashes and worse.

3 replies

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
March 27, 2018

Maybe you could use a simple script that copies the file then opens the copy...

T
Test Screen NameCorrect answer
Legend
March 26, 2018

The answer is no. Acrobat and Reader are "lazy" readers. They only read from the PDF file as it is needed. So if you were to overwrite the file, suddenly things would be in the wrong place, leading to crashes and worse.

Meenakshi_Negi
Meenakshi_Negi
Legend
March 26, 2018

Hi John,

If you are referring to editing or making changes to PDF, sorry to say it is not possible in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free service and it can only be used for viewing, printing, signing and annotating PDFs.

Refer this help document Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. for more information.

If you wish to Edit the PDFs, you will need Adobe Acrobat DC subscription.

You may refer this help document Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Acrobat DC for information on Acrobat.

Hope the information helps.

Let us know if you are referring to something else.

Regards,

Meenakshi

A
Anonymous
March 27, 2018

Hi Meenakshi,

thanks for the reply, but that was not what I meant. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in my question.

I do not wish to change the PDF with the reader. Instead I want to overwrite the file with an external program e.g. make some changes in a word file and then safe the new version as a PDF and hence overwrite the existing pdf file. Adobe Reader would then only have to update and show me the new version of the PDF.

At the moment the reader blocks the saving processes and I either have to close the reader or chosse a different name or filelocation in order to be able to save the new version PDF.

The answer from Test Screen Name sounds plausible. So it seems it's just not possible with the adobe acrobat reader and I have to stick with a second one.

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