Fillable Forms won't save

[Dude-ler]

Hello!  Pardon my beginner-ness.

I've converted a MS Word doc to a fillable form - it went super-smoothly - loved it.  When testing it by sending to another PC, I get a message that indicates, I paraphrase, "data entered into the form won't be saved - print it."

The goal here is to provide a fillable form that can be saved/stored.  Please tell me that it's possible and I just haven't done it right.

Can you help?

Dude-ler

[~graffiti]

I will assume that the person filling in the form is using Adobe Reader and not Acrobat.

If that is the case, you can specially enable the form using Acrobat with the function found under the Advanced menu (Extend features in Adobe Reader in version 9 of Acrobat, slightly different in version 8).

Keep in mind that this feature is intended for low use forms. Over 500 uses (there's a bit more to it than that) will violate your user license and make you susceptible for a law suit.

[Dude-ler]

Genius!  Thank you so much.  I worked great.  I also appreciate the caution re: low volume usage.

[George_Johnson]

You need to enable the PDF in Acrobat, which will allow Reader users to save a modified document.

More info: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Acrobat/9.0/Standard/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7e0d.w.html

[Dude-ler]

Thanks for the assistance, Professor.  Works great!  The link is oober helpful.

[frog57]

I am using Acrobat Pro 6, I know kind of old version but it works well.  Anyway, I created a fillable form but none of the people I sent it to can save the data they input.  They are all using Reader 9, is there any way around this?

Frog

[Bill12]

To allow for saving a PDF in Reader (Reader Rights) you have to be using Acrobat 8 or 9. There is nothing you can do with AA6. However, they should still be able to print it and can also submit the data (not the form). If you get the data, you would simply import it into the PDF form on your computer and have the same result.

[frog57]

Thanks for the information, not what I wanted to hear, but it helps. I was hoping I would not have to upgrade but it looks like I will. Again, thanks for the info.

Bill

[Bill12]

Be careful. Upgrading to get the feature may still not be what you want. The feature is limited by the license, sec 15. You can read the AA9 license from the adobe site. Basically you are limited to 500 saves if the file is submitted as a form. Read carefully to check the exceptions. For the web, it is likely not a good idea and you may likely exceed the limit -- meaning big bucks to Adobe. If you are not happy with the limitations, then don't upgrade and complain later.

The real question is if it is necessary for your clients to be able to save the completed PDF form. If not, then forget it and use what you have. It is just not worth the cost or potential legal problems if you don't need it.

[frog57]

Thanks, yeah, I had seen your reply to someone else about that. Kind of defeats the perpose of having a fillable PDF. Maybe Adobe is trying to put themselves out of business.

Bill