Participant

Question

Acrobat Pro Layers: Keep Locked and Not Visible in Acrobat Reader

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
December 18, 2017
5 replies
2836 views

Hello.

I have created an application in InDesign with two layers, converted to a fillable PDF. One layer (OCG) is intended for office use, the other for an applicant to complete.

Ideally, the applicant filling out the form in Reader would only see the applicant layer without the ability to toggle the office use layer on and off. Then, once the completed application is returned, we could internally activate the office use layer.

I have attempted locking and turning the layer off, but when the form is opened in Reader, the user can toggle the office use layer on and off (on the sidebar; properties remains the same). I have also attempted password protection with form and signature filling only, but the option to toggle the layer on and off for view seems to remain.

Is it possible to have a layer/ OCG that we can toggle on and off internally, keeping it hidden from the individual filling the form in Acrobat?

Thanks for any help!

This topic has been closed for replies.

JR Boulay

Community Expert

Yes, the answer is in the screengrab : you are not supposed to modify a signed document.

On a paper signed document you can, but in fact you cannot because it exists elsewhere in double or triple.

On a digital signed document you cannot, just because.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

M

marytxtaAuthor

Participant

I believe I found a workaround in locking and hiding the "office use" layer/OCG (sorry, I think of them as layers since most of my work is in InDesign).

However, after testing and filling out the form in Reader then opening the completed form in Pro, I am unable to remove the permissions as indicated in the screenshot below. I'm not quite sure how to get around this problem.

Thanks again for any help!

G

George_Johnson

Inspiring

If the form needs to be digitally signed, you won't be able to display and previously hidden OCGs after signing. Some types of changes are allowed after signing (e.g., filling form fields, additional digital signatures, etc.), but this isn't one of them.

JR Boulay

Community Expert

A layer/OCG cannot be unlocked with Acrobat Reader, this requires Acrobat Pro (or may be Acrobat Standard).

Using JavaScript or the UI to show/hide a layer/OCG does not make its "visible" state permanent, a layer returns to its default settings each time the PDF is closed/reopened.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

G

George_Johnson

Inspiring

Also, you don't need to use JavaScript to lock a layer since you can do it through the UI in Acrobat, but you would probably want to use it to unlock the layer when needed. Otherwise, the document would have to be unprotected and the layer would have to be manually unlocked.

G

George_Johnson

Inspiring

See the following tutorial on OCGs and JavaScript: https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/creating-and-using-layers-ocgs-with-acrobat-javascript

In particular, note that an OCG has a locked property that can be manipulated via JavaScript.

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