Fillable Form Issues

[Lauraperx]

I'm trying to convert a pdf letter document into a fillable form where people can just edit words or specifics into the letter to make it custom. I created text fields just as instructed and named each area. When I go to test it, the form is flat and it won't allow me to select or edit anything yet it's shaded as if I can edit. Am I missing a step? Nothing is locked and the security is off. 

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com]

Did you switch from forms-design mode to Preview mode? Have you exited out of Forms mode at all?

See screen caps below: If you're using a recent version of Acrobat (CC:2018 and 2019), try clicking the CLOSE button in the upper right of the  screen when you're in forms or preview mode. You'll now access the form as a user.

Prepare Form mode.

Preview Form mode.

[Lauraperx]

Yes, I just signed up for the Acrobat membership today so I have the latest version. I did exit out of forms and preview mode and tried to test by opening in my browser to see if I could edit it. Again, it has the gray shaded area but won't allow me to edit.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[ls_rbls]

What I don't understand is why are you trying to test the form using a browser... which browser?? And when you say that you are creating a PDF document from a PDF letter do you mean a scanned copy of a letter, OR, a a text document that was created using Microsoft Word, AND THEN, export the document to PDF using the PDF Maker ToolBar add-on from within the MS Word application?

[ls_rbls]

Can you please share a screenshot of the problem?

[Lauraperx]

I just posted. I created a form letter in canva for someone who does not have acrobat and she uses chrome browser to edit her fillable pdfs.

[ls_rbls]

In that case, she is better off installing the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Even though Web browsers provide their own PDF viweing plug-ins they are not ideal to fillout forms that are created with Adobe Acrobat; web browsers PDF viewing capabilities are known for its limitations and subpar performance. Now, as far you are concened, when you create a PDF form in Acrobat you can use the follwoing saving option: "File"---> "Save As Other" ----> "Reader Extended". This will allow you to create a PDF form in Acrobat that will save it in Reader but allowing users who may even have older versions of Acrobat (or any other PDF viewer) to Fill&Sign, comment, Print and save a local copy of the form once it gets filled out.

[Lauraperx]

Thank you for the reader info. I will definitely have her download and I will save as. As for as the fillable PDF though, when I switch to preview mode I'm unable to test and edit as well. It's just a flat document. Did I miss a step?

[ls_rbls · Accepted solution]

Hello again, would it be possible for you to recreate the PDF letter in Acrobat again. Do not use the document you already have. This is just to rule out if you were missing any steps. I can't see how you are doing it, but I think that when you are finished adding all the fields and customizations instead of just clicking on the "Save" icon goto "File"---> "Save As"---> and select "Adobe PDF". Then close the document and open it again with Adobe Acrobat and see if you are able to continue to edit or work with it normally. From the way you describe it it looks like it was saved as a postscript file (or flattenned) but that is just my guess.

[Lauraperx]

This just solved my problem, thank you! I kept overlaying the text box over existing test which was causing the issue.

[ls_rbls]

Please also read here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/Acrobat/How-to-edit-a-scanned-image-in-Acrobat/m-p/10601600#M149644

and here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/Acrobat/Download-and-install-Adobe-Acrobat-DC/td-p/10601580