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Adrien2787300543w9
Participant
October 18, 2023
Answered

Issues opening PDF files with dynamic forms (XFA)

  • October 18, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 10704 views

I'm using Adobe Acrobat Pro and am experiencing strange behaviour with certain documents.

 

When downloading PDF files with dynamic forms (XFA), I get an error saying "Access denied" so I can't even open the file. The strange thing is that if I wait several minutes, the file eventually opens and the error disappears. Most files have this problem, but sometimes some open the first time. I still get an error when I want to edit the file which has finally opened "This XFA forms cannot be edited using Adobe Acrobat".

 

I also know that a temporary solution is to do "Print to PDF" in order to save the file in regular PDF format but when I encounter the problem, I have to wait at least 5 minutes to open the file and then save it, which is a considerable waste of time.

 

Most of the files I download come from official government websites, institutions, etc. But I imagine the problem comes from dynamic forms.

 

I understood that Adobe Acrobat Pro isn't necessarily designed to open/edit XFA files, I also saw that there was "LiveCycle Designer" which could provide a solution but unfortunately it's no longer available.

 

Do you have any ideas/solutions? Thank you.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Thom Parker

    XFA forms are not PDF. They look and act like PDF to the user, but they are not PDF. It is a different forms technology wrapped in a PDF shell. So, XFA forms canot be edited in Acrobat or any other PDF viewer. You'll need use the AEM form editor (formally known as LiveCycle Designer).

     

    If Acrobat is having a problem opening it, it means the file is corrupted or uses some non-standard feature that is making Acrobat choke.  Or maybe there is a setting in Acrobat that is causing the issue. For example, is Acrobat in Protected Mode? 

     

    Your best option is to contact the form creator and tell them you are having an issue with thier form. 

     

     

    1 reply

    Thom Parker
    Community Expert
    Thom ParkerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 18, 2023

    XFA forms are not PDF. They look and act like PDF to the user, but they are not PDF. It is a different forms technology wrapped in a PDF shell. So, XFA forms canot be edited in Acrobat or any other PDF viewer. You'll need use the AEM form editor (formally known as LiveCycle Designer).

     

    If Acrobat is having a problem opening it, it means the file is corrupted or uses some non-standard feature that is making Acrobat choke.  Or maybe there is a setting in Acrobat that is causing the issue. For example, is Acrobat in Protected Mode? 

     

    Your best option is to contact the form creator and tell them you are having an issue with thier form. 

     

     

    Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
    A
    Adrien2787300543w9Author
    Participant
    October 19, 2023

    Thank you for your reply,

     

    Disabling or enabling Protected Mode doesn't solve the problem.

     

    I will contact the form's creators and let them know about my problem.

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