Apply Redactions

[g4stat]

Hello everyone,

I need help with applying redactions. Even though I have redacted in many pdf documents, I have a specific document in which I can "Mark for Redaction" but I am unable to click "Apply Redactions". The button does not seem to be active.

Does anyone have an idear what the problem could be and provide a solution?

Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

Did you follow all these steps for applying redaction on PDF file.

[g4stat]

Yes, of course I did. I just cannot do step 8 (Select Apply Redactions from the Redaction Toolbar) because the button is not 'clickable'

[Allta Media]

What type of file is this? Scan? Perhaps you need to run Text Recognition first.

[g4stat]

The file is not a scan, it is a regular pdf file. However, it is a form in which information has to be entered as text.

[Allta Media]

If it's a form, perhaps it has been reader-extended. If you open the File > Properties > Security tab, what does it say about the file?

[g4stat]

Security Method: No Security (However, I have also tried to protect the file with Security Method: Password Security and it also didn' work)

Can be Opened by: All versions of Acrobat

Printing: Allowed

Changing the Document: Not Allowed

Document Assembly: Not Allowed

Content Copying: Allowed

Content Copying for Accessibility: Allowed

Page Extraction: Not Allowed

Commenting: Allowed

Filing of form fileds: Allowed

Signing: Allowed

Creation of Template Pates: Not Allowed

Any ideas about what the problem could be?

[Test Screen Name]

Maybe it's a Designer form? If so, these aren't really PDF and redaction isn't likely to be an option.

[Allta Media]

Try doing a File > Save a Copy of your form first - you cannot apply redaction to a reader-extended form.

[g4stat]

Unfortunately the save a copy of for did not work either. I still cannot apply redactions...

[Allta Media]

Is this by chance a PDF/A document? Do you see any messages in the Standards Navigation pane? If you have this preference set, try turning it to the following: Edit > Preferences > Documents category "View Documents in PDF/A mode" Never.

[g4stat]

Thanks for the info. It is not a PDF/A document and even if I change the settings to what you suggested, it still does not work. Thank you very much for your input though!

[George_Johnson]

This is interesting. I haven't found a way to create a document for which Acrobat shows those exact restrictions, either for an Acroform or a static or dynamic XFA form, even if signed (locked or not) of certified, so there must be something else involved. Is there any chance you could post the file somewhere or send it by email?

[g4stat]

Hi George,

Here is the link to download the file. http://www.ilo.org/global/statistics-and-databases/WCMS_161394/lang--en/index.htm

Let me know if you can figure anything out. Thank you!

[George_Johnson · Accepted solution]

It is indeed an XFA form that was created in LiveCycle Designer, and is also Reader-enabled. Even when you perform a "File > Save a Copy" to remove the usage rights, it remains an XFA form and Acrobat has very limited ability to modify XFA PDFs (apart from form filling). One thing you can do is print to PDF in Acrobat, which will generate a standard PDF. This new PDF will be editable in Acrobat, but the interactive form fields won't remain. However, this may be suitable for your needs.

[g4stat]

Yes, that works! Thank you so much!!!