I can't fill/edit form pdf anymore after inserting "signature" in one of the blanks

[ko0D45]

Hi.

I was filling in a form pdf, its nearly finished and one of the lines needs my "signature".

I inserted one using the "insert of draw a signature" function (mines a different language so I'm translating it the best I can), but then I reaslied a typo in previous response.

But then I realised after "signing" the whole pdf it "locks" and I can't edit anything, and now I have to do the whole form all over again.

Why would you have this stupid design? I searched all over the web and all I get is electronic signatures, which doesn't apply to my case.

[Bernd Alheit · Accepted solution]

Signing is the last step. Signing locks the document.

[ko0D45]

Thanks for the reply.

As stated in the post of course I know it locks the document.

Im asking about why such stupid design? If you want to lock it theres an option called e-signature, which is a completely different thing.

[Bernd Alheit]

When the document is not locked everyone can modify your signed document.

[David25083800duqa]

What if you need two people to sign? If it locks after the first person signs, things get very difficult.

[try67]

You can set the digital signature field to only lock some fields when signed.

Look under the field's Properties, in the Signed tab.

[caitlyn_8641]

I found a work around. So if the pdf locks all editing when using the signature function and saving, then use the stamp function instead. It's not perfect, but you can upload a jpg of your signature to the stamp function and use that if nothing else works. If you're comfortable doing so, you can take a picture of your own signature, send it to your email, download it as an image to save on your desktop, and use the "Add Image" feature under the Edit Tool.

[leo.r]

I've just run into this annoying behavior again. I don't sign PDFs often so I keep forgetting about this new bizarre functionality. I'm not sure when it changed but it wasn't always like this. There were times when PDF could be edited after adding a signature.

With all fairness it's not only Acrobat: Preview on Mac also adopted this counter-productive and time-wasting behavior.

What if we need to correct a typo? What if after adding a signature you realized you forgot to fill out a field?

If anything, then before adding a signature the app must clearly inform the user that the document will be locked after this and let undo or cancel the action.

Well, this time I had enough of it and found a more permanent solution: Foxit PDF Reader. Fortunately, it still behaves in a human-oriented way and lets you edit the document after inserting a signature. Will be using it to sign PDFs from now on.

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi leo.r,

Thank you for reaching out.

As mentioned above, the document is locked after it is signed. Please let us know how you are signing the document. Are you using the digital signature or the Fill & Sign tool?

Just need more information to understand the workflow that does not work for you. We will share the feedback with the team. 

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[leo.r]

Hi Meenakshi,

Thank you for your reply.

I'm using the Fill and Sign tool, where I already have my signature added:

Here's an example:

I've just received this simple form with 3 fields:

What would any user naturally do?

First, type the name.

Second, add a signature (which I do via the Fill and Sign tool).

Third... Oops. There's no third. The document is now locked without any explanation provided.

A simple task that should take less than a minute turns into a time-wasting disaster.

Plus, this form has yet another field at the top that should be filled out by the sender, but that was still empty when they sent it (it's not a life-or-death agreement, this doc is a simple formality that doesn't require hundred layers of security).

Like I mentioned, it wasn't always like this. This bizarre behavior was adopted only relatively recently. (Couple years ago? Not sure.)

Like I also mentioned, Preview also adopted this behavior. But I believe Acrobat should do better than Preview.

At the very least, users should be clearly informed about the locking of the document AND given an option to disable this behavior.

Thanks,

Leo

[pp51614116]

We have a the same issue. After someone applies and e-signature and makes sure the "Lock after signing" box is unchecked we can not add another signature.