Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
January 3, 2017
Answered

Editing a Signed PDF

  • January 3, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 125066 views

I know the default answer will be that it stops you by design, the problem is that I'm getting an abnormal result.

I have users in an accounting area that want to edit a pdf to add PO's and other numbers after some initial signatures. I know modifying the text after a signature is a security concern which is why Adobe doesn't allow it. The problem is that one user CAN edit the document for some reason and the other person is asking why.....

When I try to edit the PDF, it gives me the error "This document has been signed and can not be edited". I also get a similar(maybe exact) message from someone else. My version is Adobe Acrobat Standard DC and the other person that has the same error has Adobe Acrobat Pro XI 11.0.12. The person that CAN modify the pdf, despite the signatures has Adobe Acrobat XI 11.0.18.

I do probably need to update the one user's Acrobat but mine is newer and I have been told that editing a PDF after a signature shouldn't be allowed anyways.

Any idea why one person can edit the pdf when they shouldn't?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer try67

As mentioned, that is intentionally so. If you want to be able to edit the file after it is signed then don't use Digital Signatures.

4 replies

E
Erwin231995957ii7
New Participant
February 17, 2022

This is a problem when using a PDF in accounting.  There needs to be a feature that allows for editing in a particular box or field for adding accounting documentation notes.

try67
try67
Braniac
February 17, 2022

You can use form fields for that. The digital signature field can be set not to lock them when signed.

I
I..D
New Participant
January 29, 2021

The only way to be able to edit a signed doc is to "Print" it as "pdf" > open > edit > save.

You will of course lose the digital signature credentials.

 

Otherwise the whole "Lock after signing" will be useless.

 

Also, you can have multiple steps of validating and approving a document before it is final and closed.

Cheers

 

    M
    miss_phelps
    New Participant
    May 25, 2017

    I too cannot edit a digitally signed pdf. I want to edit the document and retain the existing signatures and provide for additional signatures. Any ideas?

    Thanks.

    try67
    try67Correct answer
    Braniac
    May 26, 2017

    As mentioned, that is intentionally so. If you want to be able to edit the file after it is signed then don't use Digital Signatures.

    Karl Heinz Kremer
    Karl Heinz Kremer
    Braniac
    January 3, 2017

    I don't have an explanation why your different Acrobat installations behave differently. It may be due to preference settings.

    A signature does not automatically prevent edits: What a signature allows you to do is to verify that a PDF document is identical to the version that was signed. Edits to the document will invalidate the signature. This means that you cannot just look at a document and determine that it was signed, and then assume that the version you are looking at is still the same version that was signed. You will need to verify the signature in order to be certain.

      A
      Anonymous
      January 4, 2017

      I am a little confused because from all the sources that I've read so far, a signature will prevent modifications. I've seen where it says "This document has been signed and can not be edited" and also where signatures are removed after the modification. Currently I am getting the "can not be edited" error and if I enter CTRL+D and look at the security tab, it says that "Changing the Document: Not Allowed".

      My only confusion is how someone can bypass that since I've always at least seen that the signatures are removed(at the very least). I know you will have errors with those signatures even if you were to get to modify it, but since the documents are simple internal PO's, I don't think it would be an issue.

      I'm checking preferences but no luck so far.

      Dave__M
      Dave__M
      Participating Frequently
      January 4, 2017

      An option that is presented when applying one's digital signature is to lock the document, which prevents further editing.  If a signer chose this option, the document would indeed prohibit edits. BUT, it's an option, not an automatically applied attribute.  It is an acceptable workflow to receive a document, digitally sign it (approving the state of the doc as you see it at that moment), and pass it on for both further edits and signatures.  The state of the document as you signed it is preserved within, even though there were more changes applied.

      My best,

      Dave

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices