Can I create a PDF "template" akin to Word's template (.dotx) function?

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I have a PDF form I have to fill out every day for work. I'm trying to streamline my workflow as much as possible and I want to avoid having to ensure I don't save over a master file every day.

As such, I want to have a PDF that, when I open it, spawns a copy, like what happens with .dotx extensions in Word.

I've tried password protecting the document to try and make it Read Only with the hope that, upon trying to save it after editing, the system would prompt me to "save a copy." That didn't work. I've searched high and low, but most of what I've found just shows how to convert Word templates into PDFs. Not what I'm looking for. The closest I've gotten to an answer is this: How do I create PDF form like a word template file (PDF Forms)

The answer clearly articulates that Acrobat isn't designed to do this, but hints at workarounds. The second suggestion caught my eye: somehow creating a script that creates a copy of the master file and provides that to the user.

TL;DR: Can anyone here tell me how I could create or modify a PDF form such that, when trying to save the document, it prompts me to save a new file instead of overwriting the original?

try67Correct answer

Community Expert

Go to the file's Properties (in Windows Explorer) and set it as read-only.

A

Amily32762256m1au

Participant

Creating a PDF "template" similar to Word's .dotx function is possible. You can design your template in Google Docs, including a recipe template. Once it's ready, go to "File" > "Download" > "PDF Document." This will generate a PDF version of your template that you can use as a base for future recipes. It's a neat way to keep things organized and consistent in your culinary adventures!

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cjbarth

Participating Frequently

I was just asking myself this question. How hard could it be for Acrobat Reader to register another extension that requires a "Save As..." and disallows "Save"? I suggest ".pdft". Then, to protect files, I just rename them to that extension; nothing else has to change. I imagine if Adobe did this, a week later, eveyone would support it.

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Bernd Alheit

Community Expert

Changing the file extension doesn't protect files.

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phobrla

Participant

"Save As" the file and append " - TEMPLATE" to the end (but before the extension)
Make a copy of the file in Windows Explorer and append ".bak" to the extension (e.g. "Workflow.pdf.bak"

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