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A
annad2675721
Participant
April 29, 2020
Question

After Catalina update, Protected PDFs can't be filled out and saved in Mac's Preview

  • April 29, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 2405 views

Hi, 

 

We have locked our PDFs in Acrobat for years. We select the options that allow people to print and fill in fillable forms, but not make edits to the document. We've never had an issue with these settings in Preview, until recently. It seems that now when someone tries to fill in a form and save the PDF as a copy, it's impossible. There is always a generic message that say the PDF can't be saved.

 

Any ideas on why this would suddenly become a problem, or thoughts on how to solve it? 

 

Thanks!

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2 replies

JR Boulay
Community Expert
JR BoulayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 29, 2020

Preview, aka "the PDF killer" :

- http://khkonsulting.com/2013/06/preview-app-killer-of-pdf-files/

- http://duff-johnson.com/2014/04/07/apples-preview-still-not-safe-for-work/

 

Tip: place a layer that displays a warning to user on the top of the PDF form, and set this layer as not visible.

So, Acrobat Reader users will never see this layer, but Preview users will see only this layer, since Preview does not support them and always display a flat version of a PDF.

😉

 

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    G
    George_Johnson
    Inspiring
    April 29, 2020

    Using forms with Preview has always been a mistake. But to further investigate what may be a new issue with Preview, you might want to ask on a forum that focuses on Apple/Preview issues.

    A
    annad2675721Author
    Participant
    April 29, 2020

    Haha thanks for the answer George. Unfortunately, few folks want to download a new software when their computer already comes with a reader that works for most everything else. Regardless of what I suggest. I was hoping I was missing a step as I have been locking PDFs in Acrobat. I will see if anyone in the Apple/Preview world has any advice. Thank you for the suggestion.

    gary_sc
    Community Expert
    gary_scCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 29, 2020

    HI Anna,

     

    There's several issues here: As a Mac user from the beginning (1985) I trust a lot of things Mac and I do use Preview but it's success with forms is not great. You can download the free Adobe Reader and have success there with forms.

     

    However, not being able to save them is a different issue. Have you recently updated to Catalina?

     

    Please let me know

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