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Zachary31172501g23y
Participant
July 19, 2023
Answered

Unable to compress PDF after its been signed

  • July 19, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 3804 views

As part of my job i need to upload filled out and signed documents to a database, however in order to do so i need to compress or reduce file size as i cant upload the files at their normal size i dint have any issue with this before however recently when i try to compress files i get a error message stating that i can not edit this document since it has been signed. my co worker is able to compress these files with no issue. here are the steps i have tried so far. i have attempted to save a copy of the file and compress that one, i have tried the save as other then optimized PDF, i have had adobe uninstalled and reinstalled several times. none of these have worked i dont undersatnd why adobe would even consider copressing files as editing them im not changing anything just reducing the file size.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bernd Alheit

    Compress the file and then sign it.

    3 replies

    C
    Camila x3449083863rt
    Participating Frequently
    February 14, 2024

    We all know that compressing PDFs will save a lot of time and energy. the easiest way to do it is to use third-party software that can compress and sign PDFs simultaneously. I have tried Systweak PDF Editor and it was of great help to me.

    Amal.
    Community Manager
    Amal.Community Manager
    Community Manager
    July 19, 2023

    Hi @Zachary31172501g23y 

     

    ++ Adding to the correct suggestion by Bernd Alheit

     

    The PDF gets locked and becomes read-only once it is signed. For more information about editing the signed PDF, please go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/edit-signed-PDF.html

     

    ~Amal

    Z
    Zachary31172501g23yAuthor
    Participant
    July 19, 2023

    that doesnt explain how my co-worker is able to compress the files after its been signed, and i used to be able to do this before without issue, the problem is if i compress the file then send it into the employee that needs to fill it out and sign it then try to upload it the file size is now too large 

    MikelKlink
    MikelKlink
    Participating Frequently
    July 20, 2023

    Have you compared Acrobat versions with your co-worker?

    Adobe has been very active in the recent two or three years fixing issues in the context of allowed and disallowed changes to signed PDFs, not only in regard to validation but also in regard to what Acrobat users may or may not do with signed PDFs. Possibly between the Acrobat version of your co-worker and of you one such fix may have forbidden what you try to do.

    Bernd Alheit
    Community Expert
    Bernd AlheitCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    July 19, 2023

    Compress the file and then sign it.

    Z
    Zachary31172501g23yAuthor
    Participant
    July 20, 2023

    @Bernd Alheit  that doesnt explain how my co-worker is able to compress the files after its been signed, and i used to be able to do this before without issue, the problem is if i compress the file then send it into the employee that needs to fill it out and sign it then try to upload it the file size is now too large

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