I have Adobe Acrobat Pro and want to see how a form I created works using Adobe Reader

[William376049507edr]

I have Adobe Acrobat Pro and want to see how a form I created works using Adobe Reader but I am presented with a sign in request that takes me to Acrobat Pro. How do I get around this so I can see if a user with only Reader can fill the form?

[creative explorer]

@William376049507edr I would create the form in Acrobat Pro.  Save the PDF in a specific way using Acrobat Pro. When you are finished creating your form, go to File > Save As Other > Reader Extended PDF, and then choose the option "Enable More Tools (includes form fill-in & save)". This process adds the necessary usage rights to the PDF document, allowing users with the free Adobe Reader to fill in the form fields and save their data locally. Without these extended rights, Reader users might encounter limitations or be prompted to sign in to access features that are only fully available in Acrobat Pro.

To test it out, close Acobat Pro's application. Then open Adobe Reader, to test it out.

[William376049507edr]

Thanks I will try that and get back to you.

[try67]

The Reader rights are no longer necessary, unless the user has a very outdated version of it. And in fact, applying them can cause some issues. I would not do that.

Plus, it doesn't answer the question of how to test the file in Reader, as you will still be opening it in Acrobat.

The way to do it is to either log out of your account, or to use another computer that only had Reader installed on it.

[Randy Hagan]

I'm making the assumption that you have Adobe Reader installed on your system. If not, you have to install the program first then follow the process below:

Provided that you have Adobe Reader installed,  all you have to do is navigate your way to where the final form file is stored, using File Explorer in Windows or a Finder Window on a Mac. Place your cursor over the file and click the right mouse button to open the context-sensitive menu onscreen. For those Mac folks who still have a single mouse button, you can get the same result by holding down the Control key while you click the mouse button.

Choose the Open With command from the flyaway menu, and if Adobe Reader is installed, it should appear among the program options you can then choose onscreen. Choose it and you will open the file just like anyone else who would use Adobe Reader and test the usability of your form.

Hope this helps,

Randy

[try67 · Accepted solution]

The problem is that Reader switches to Acrobat when it identifies that you have a subscription for the latter, and the OP wants to test the file in Reader, despite having such a subscription, so your instructions won't help them do that.

[Randy Hagan]

Thank you for keeping me honest. I am humbled.

It's been quite a while since I've done that, and after installing it and trying it on my laptop, I was surprised to see how it works with AcroDC 2025.I am surprised, but now I know. Thank you.

Randy