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danad43911814
Participant
July 22, 2016
Question

Can I force an Acrobat form to be only openable by Acrobat or Adobe Reader?

  • July 22, 2016
  • 4 replies
  • 1662 views

Half of our employees have Bluebeam as their default application for opening PDF documents so when they double-click on a form link, the form opens in Bluebeam and when they fill the form out and submit it, we can't see their inputted data.

This audience doesn't read instructions and for most of their uses, it is more advantageous that Bluebeam is their default pdf applications. Except when they have to fill out our forms. They also have Adobe Reader so it seems like just a matter of setting the default application for opening our form from within the form.

Is that possible? I want Adobe Reader to open the form regardless of the default application for pdfs on the user's computer.

I am using Livecycle 9 to design the form, Adobe Acrobat 9 to enable advanced features in Reader, and the users all have Adobe Reader 10.

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

JR Boulay
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 24, 2016

If Bluebeam don't support JavaScript you can add a layer or a form field that cover the whole page to display a warning to the end user.

And a JavaScript running at document opening that will remove/hide the layer or the form field.

So:

- using Acrobat or Reader: the form can be used.

- using another software: the form cannot be used and displays a warning asking to open it with Acrobat or Reader.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
JR Boulay
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 24, 2016

Reader 10 can't save non-enabled Acroforms

Oops.

You're right, saving non-enabled Acroforms came with Reader XI (11).

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
JR Boulay
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 23, 2016

Hi.

Since your users have Adobe Reader X you no longer needs to enable PDF extended rights.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
Inspiring
July 24, 2016

You do need to Reader-enable forms created with LiveCycle Designer. Reader 10 can't save non-enabled Acroforms, but Reader 11 and DC can.

Inspiring
July 22, 2016

No. The OS determines the default program for a given file type. You might be able to get your tech depart to set the default application for PDF files and other file types associations to Reader. But this will not stop a user from opening Bluebeam and blocking the use of Reader.

danad43911814
Participant
July 24, 2016

OK thanks - that's what I feared.