Participating Frequently

Question

How do I get the actual signature to show in a document using XI?

Forum|Forum|11 years ago
September 23, 2014
5 replies
81846 views

Been using Adobe for years and with the new update to XI I am having a heck of a time getting the signature to show in the document. To check this I opened another document and was easily able to grab my signature and place it where I want.

For some reason the document I was sent allow for me to sign electronically, but when I choose to do so, I'm asked first to draw a box to where the signature is to be placed, then another dialog box opens asking for the file. I was not able to find a place to add a new signature by using the methods used previously. I have a signature in a file and has been used many times for other .pdf docs with zero issues.

Not sure why this doc is giving me issues. The document sent to me is showing its from Adobe 7.x! Not sure if that is the issue, as it could be the problem placing the signature.

Please advise to try and get this resolved.

This topic has been closed for replies.

V

Valkyrie Anne

Participating Frequently

Hi All,

Did anyone ever get Acrobat XI to stop offering a digital signature and switch to a plain electronic signature? I saw the directions, but my version is not showing a drop down box next to Place Signature, so I'm having trouble. I only want to place electronic signatures.

try67

Community Expert

Use the Pencil commenting tool. It's pretty much the same thing.

A

askacfi

Participating Frequently

No. The morons who replied are engaged in a form of brainiac trolling....they keep telling you all about "digital signatures" which have ZERO to do with what you are seeking to accomplish...they are too smart by half to understand a simple question or they are actually trolling by responding with meaningless information.

I, like you, simply seek to insert my scanned signature into the document. I DON'T WANT OR NEED A DIGITAL SIGNATURE.

I like you, used to be able to simply insert my scanned signature at the bottom of documents and email them right back without having to print, manually sign, scan and return.....the idiots above are not able to conceive of a world wherein the recipient may not need, care, be able to use a digital signature...the recipient just needs your scanned signature on the document.

I get it. You would need to spell it out in baby speak in order to make any headway into the hard heads of the trolls who have thus far replied to this thread.....

Like you, if I cannot figure out a way to insert my scanned signature I will downgrade too....

11llopetz

Participant

There is definitely something funky with the 11.0.9 upgrade, unfortunately it persists through the 11.0.10 upgrade. I am running pro. My Fill & Sign and Comment toolbars are now totally blank. Going in to manage signatures as suggested here causes the program to consistently crash. Tried repairing the install already - no change. This stinks.

Steven_Madwin

Adobe Employee

Hi,

Let's start with what application you are using (it's not Adobe because Adobe is a company, not a product). Is it Acrobat or is it Reader? If you are on Windows you can get the information from the Help > About <application name> menu. On the Mac it would be the Acrobat or Adobe Reader menu and then About <application>. Once you get the about screen up you will see a version number. If you can let me know what that is as well that would be great (I know you said the major version is 11, I'm also curious as the the minor version number).

Thanks,

Steve

sign_formsAuthor

Participating Frequently

I am using Adobe Reader IX. I have version 11.0.09. It looks to be the latest version.

The document I received had a signature on it from another person. Clearly visible. When I attempt to add mime, I am first asked to highlight an area where the signature should be placed. Then I am asked to pick the signature I want to use. If I use the standard name it appears in block letters. If I select create a new one, there is no place for the signature to go. Another option is for the file, but having no idea where that might be. I am not given an option to scan, photo, or hold up my signature to the camera.

Just looking for a way for this to work as it did on other docs.

Steven_Madwin

Adobe Employee

Hi Steve,

If i undestand on the version of Adobe Reader 11.0.9, you have implemented a dual control for sign a file. In the step you check that you the bit the Key Usage Digital signature is present AND the Extented KU CodeSigning OR EmailProtection is present ?

But the chapter of RFC5280 4.2.1.2.12 explain that :

" if a certificate contains both a key usage extension and an extended keu usage extension, than both extensions MUST be processes independently and the certificate MUST only be used for a purpose consistent with both extensions. If there is no purpose with both extensions, then the certificate MUST not be used for any purpose."

The fact do not have the EKU with CodeSigning OR EmailProtection induces a failure to sign a document with Acrobat reader ?

it Is corrects ?

Laurent

Hi Laurent,

The lack of the EKU extension does NOT prevent signing in Acrobat or Reader.

When the certificate authority (CA) issues a certificate, they have certain controls as to how to limit the use of that certificate and those controls are the extensions that they may add to the certificate at cert creation time. However, there is nothing that says they have to limit the usage. If they (the CA) elects not to added any limitations then the certificate is considered good for any and all digital signature based operations.

At a minimum, there is one limitation that always is placed on a certificate, and that is its validity period. No matter how long you make the life of the certificate it will expire at some point at which point it has reached a time limitation. Other that the expiration date there are other items that the CA may add to the cert in the form of extensions that tell the processing application (in our case that would be Acrobat & Reader) how to limit the use of the cert. It's not just the KU and EKU that can limit the use of a cert. For example there are constraints (path, name, basic) and policies which would also limit the use of the cert.

With regard to the KU and EKU, the CA doesn't have to add either of those two extensions, but if they do it is incumbent Acrobat and Reader to respect the limitations the CA has imposed. If the CA adds the KU extension, then that particular extension must contain either the "digital signature" or the "non-repudiation" value in order for the cert to be considered good for signing a PDF file. Other values could be included in the KU, but at a minimum one of those two I listed must be present. They can both be there as they are not mutually exclusive, but at least one of them has to be there IF the KU is included in the cert.

If the CA adds the EKU extension, then that particular extension must contain either the "any allowed", "e-mail protection", or "code signing" values. Again, and like the KU, any one value will suffice, and they can all be there, but at least one of them must be included in the EKU.

Steve