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A
Anonymous
January 10, 2020
Answered

Flattening in Acrobat DC

  • January 10, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 9965 views

I'm using Full Version of Acrobat Pro DC. I have a form and filled the entries. I added comments and cross out some text. I am trying to flatten the form and comments. I tried the Preflight falttening and did not work (still selectable of comments after renaming). I tried Optimize and it says "This PDF document contains an Adobe XML form. Such files cannot be optimized". Can someone please suggest flattening method.  Thank you in advance.

Correct answer Dov Isaacs

No, this is irrelevant since this isn't an ordinary PDF file. It is a XFA forms file which is not conventional PDF forms objects.

 

            - Dov

5 replies

M
Mary5C31
Participant
November 9, 2020

I have the same problem, and to make it more painful, Adobe show an error that it won't allow Print to PDF.

Thom Parker
Community Expert
Thom ParkerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 9, 2020

There is a way to flatten and XFA PDF without printing, if it is a static XFA.  Do you know whether or not it is a dynamic or static form?

 

Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScriptingUse the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and often
M
Mary5C31
Participant
November 10, 2020

No idea.

Many thanks, Mary

[Email signature and personal info removed by moderator as per forum policy.]

 

A
Anonymous
March 20, 2020

I have a similar need.  Is it just not possible to flatten a completed Adobe XML form?  Using a method other than the Print to PDF?

JR Boulay
Community Expert
JR BoulayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 11, 2020

Printing to PDF is "refrying", not flattening.

You should read this document: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A68be905e-5698-4cd4-9a87-61e7ab9ba3fe

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    Dave__M
    Community Expert
    Dave__MCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2020

    In the past, I've printed PDF files to Adobe PDF.  Lots of folks cringe at this notion, and I rarely do it.  The result is a pretty useless PDF to some, but the printing process does indeed flatten the file.  Depending on your needs, this info may be helpful.

     

    My best,

    Dave

      Nancy OShea
      Community Expert
      Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 11, 2020

      See if this helps

      https://answers.acrobatusers.com/flatten-editable-pdf-file-in-adobe-acrobat-dc-q285232.aspx

       

      Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
        Dov Isaacs
        Dov IsaacsCorrect answer
        Legend
        January 11, 2020

        No, this is irrelevant since this isn't an ordinary PDF file. It is a XFA forms file which is not conventional PDF forms objects.

         

                    - Dov

        - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
        ryVirtual
        ryVirtual
        Participant
        August 3, 2022

        So, how would you do this for a PDF file then?  I can't find an option for it in Acrobat's settings, distiller, pre-flight (presuming that its purpose is to print a PDF to a PDF from Acrobat), or optimizer.  Bluebeam makes flattening comments so easy that it's annoying to use Acrobat, but I still do - mostly to digitally sign documents using a digital ID certificate (per AATL).  I don't want a bunch of stray, editable annotations, comments, objects, and form fields in the document.  I want a flattened, clean document.  An answer to that would be helpful and relevant.

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