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fhanniga
Participant
November 23, 2020
Question

Cannot combine PDF files digitally signed by me

  • November 23, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1206 views

I have been trying to combine several PDF files into one porfolio but I keep getting the error message "file XX.pdf is protected and cannot be combined because the correct password has not been entered." I digitally signed and password protected these PDF files, so why can I not combine them? It does not even give me the option to provide the password again to allow for it to be verified to be combined. I have not had this issue before but cannot figure out what has changed in my digital signature verification or how I protect/encrypt my PDFs to cause this issue.

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    3 replies

    @mj
    Community Expert
    @mjCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 24, 2020

    Hi @fhanniga ,

     

    Acrobat needs to maintain the individual security settings and the file integrity after a document has been signed. Acrobat does allow you to combine unsigned documents with security settings btw.

     

    So the best way to go is with @Bernd Alheit 's suggestion of a PDF potfolio. That way you have your files collated together with document integrity.

     

    Here's how: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-customize-pdf-portfolios.html

     

    Good luck

    mj

      F
      fhannigaAuthor
      Participant
      November 25, 2020

      Hi All,

      Thanks for all your replies. I finally figured out a solution to the issue. I needed to combine the files first into a portfolio and then digially sign one or all the files and lock it with my password.

      Cheers,

      Fran

      Bernd Alheit
      Community Expert
      Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 24, 2020

      What version of Adobe Acrobat does you use?

      Bernd Alheit
      Community Expert
      Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 23, 2020

      You can combine the files as a portfolio. 

      F
      fhannigaAuthor
      Participant
      November 23, 2020

      I am trying to combine it as a portfolio as mentioned but it still does not allow me to do so nor provide my password again to allow for it to be combined as I was previously able to.

      Bernd Alheit
      Community Expert
      Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 23, 2020

      What options does you use when you combine the files? 

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