How do I "save as" a fillable PDF form, while keeping the fillable form open?

[PDFNovice]

I am attempting to create a fillable PDF form that will be used to fill-out routine documents in an office environment (let's call it "Fillable Form Template"). Ideally, the end-user will be able to use the fillable form to create a finished PDF document, which will then be saved into a specific folder on their computer in a non-flattened format. From there, the end-user will press a "reset" button to clear the form fields, allowing them to reuse the form again and again until they have generated however many finished PDF documents as they need.

Since the completed PDF documents that this form creates must be non-flattened, end-users cannot use the "Print as PDF" function, but must use the "Save As" function in order to save the finished PDF document in the appropriate folder on their computer. But when I try doing this, what happens is that the finished PDF document (let's just call it "Finished Document 1") replaces the fillable form on-screen. That means that when I go to create another PDF document using what should be the original fillable form ("Fillable Form Template") I am instead forced to use "Finished Document 1" instead of "Fillable Form Template". I could simply close the finished document and reopen the fillable form, but that would add considerable time to the overall process, especially when the end-user could be generating hundreds of such documents a day.

What should be happening is that once I use "Save As" to save the data I input in the fillable form, it should remain/revert in/to the fillable form, rather than becoming the finished document I just created.

[Test Screen Name]

You’d need a save a copy function that doesn’t exist. But still, why can’t you save it then reset the form?

[PDFNovice]

While I could do that, the problem with saving and then resetting the form is that doing so results in the finished document becoming what you have open on the screen, meaning that the end-user will be resetting/editing/etc. a finished document, as opposed to the original fillable form. My concern is that the document will remain locked in a view-only status until such a time that I am finished working in the document, meaning that other end-users will be unable to open and edit the finished documents as they are completed.

The goal here will be speed, so that User 1 can use the fillable form to create a finished document, which User 2 can then immediately open, edit, etc., in rapid succession. Unfortunately using the "Save As" function throws a wrench into the works.

[Test Screen Name]

Not sure why a reset document should not be identical to the original template. That’s what reset is for. However it will remain locked, yes. Users need to close and reopen. But if they find they can get away without it, then they will. Really a high speed workflow needs to submit forms (not to email), not rely on slow and error prone saving. 

[PDFNovice]

Unfortunately, resetting the document will clear all of the form fields, but within the previously-saved document you just created, rather than somehow taking you back to the fillable form in which you started.

Is there a way to submit the finished document to a specific folder on your computer, instead of having to use the "Save As" function?

[Test Screen Name]

That's not what submitting is. Submitting means sending to a web server, where a script (CGI, ASP, PHP or whatever) is sent the form data, and stores it securely. These scripts must be written by an experienced specialist, because they are a key attack point for hackers.

[Thom Parker]

PDFNovice,   I believe that you are mixing some things up, because Adobe removed the "Save as Copy" option from the later versions of Acrobat DC. So you are not actually saveing a PDF as a copy when you do a "Save As". 

When you save a PDF as a "Copy", it leaves the original PDF open. You never see the copy. So now you can reset the form and you are resetting the original. Of course, the saved copy has to have a different name.  

To do this, you need to write an automation script. These two articles explain.

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/How-to-Save-a-PDF-2.cfm?sd=40

https://www.pdfscripting.com/public/Using-Trusted-Functions.cfm?sd=40

[PDFNovice]

Yes, this is precisely what I'm looking for, a sort of "Save As Copy" function.

I read your tutorial, although I'm not a coder and I'm not entirely certain how to adjust the syntax you posted to meet my needs.

[Thom Parker]

As stated in the articles. Saving is a privileged operation.  So it's not possible to simply put a "Save as Copy" button on a PDF. One of the discussed trust mechanisms is required to make this work.

It also doesn't work to display a "Save As" file dialog, so the user can set the file name. It's a scripted operation that requires the new name and file path to be known up front. 

I'd be happy to provide you with a solution for a fee. But I'll need to know the exact workflow, and the above issues render your workflow moot. 

[Don33402518ayfe]

Dear Lord yes!   This is typical PC Microsoft distorted reasoning about what customers use the software for.  Maybe they could go to a seance and as Steve Jobs how to create Adobe.  Once you edit a master form, that is 'fill in the blanks', the Master Form should be saveable with the blanks empty!!

[PMMCM]

I have almost exactly the same issue-  @PDFNovice  , well explained by the way. Did you solve this? Whats the point of having a facility to create fillable forms  if everytime someone uses "save as" to save the newly filled document as a pdf under a different name folder, the master form is then also changed to reflect it. Its not a "use again and again" scenario.
Any answers Adobe geniuses (geniii)

[Thom Parker · Accepted solution]

@PMMCM 

When you "Save As" it saves the currently open form to a new name. The original file is untouched. Unless you saved it before doing the SaveAs.

I think you might be mixing up the SaveAs with the explanation for the "SaveAs Copy" functionality. 

[camper_southerstate]

I know I'm late to this conversation but had a rather similar question that led me here and the information sparked a solution. Once you have completed your fillable form instead of saving it, print it to a pdf (through the printer function) This will download a copy as completed, then when you come back to the form, click clear to move on to the next one. I would think this would work no matter how many copies are open and they can be easily moved at the end of the day from the download folder. 

[beesea]

Hey, Camper Southerstate. How do you print it using the printer function? Thanks.

[beesea]

Never mind. In a recent response, someone suggested a free online platform that "flattens" the PDF file, which works brilliantly!

https://smallpdf.com/flatten-pdf