Interactive fields lock after saving for first time

[Desk25FA4]

I've had a bit of an unexpected issue which I haven't had before. 

I created an interactive pdf doc in InDesign, with checkboxes and fillable text boxes. The doc requires multiple people to contribute and I haven't had an issue with it before. 

Recently, on a doc I was collaborating with a colleague, I've found that all interactive elements were "locked", I could select the text they had written but could not edit or write my own. I'm using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat. I had checked all permissions and security settings and everything was normal, all permissions allowed, no security etc. which is puzzling.

To test whether it was something done on their side, I took the original pdf doc I made from InDesign and opened it up in acrobat, all works as usual, all interactive blocks are working as they should, but the moment I hit the save button, all the interactive blocks suddenly grey out and "lock" in place, I can no longer touch them. I tried resaving, adding security than removing and opening again but it's firmly locked in place and no longer editable as it should be.

If anyone could share some insight or ideas into what I'm missing, that would be great. 

[AkanchhaS]

Hi,

Hope you are doing well.

Do you export the Indesign file to .pdf or simply open it in Acrobat and then try to save it .pdf?

1- Please share your Id Export settings for PDF. It its a later method, where directly saving files in from ID to Acrobat, then you must follow these steps for exporting it: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/indesign/how-to/save-share-projects.html 

2- Hope you haven't signed the file before exporting or saving as .pdf? Signing is the final process, if you do so, it locks the PDF file and restrict to make further changes.

Thanks,

Akanchha 

[Desk25FA4]

Hi Akanchha,

Thanks for the quick response. I exported it from InDesign as an interactive PDF.

I just tested the sign feature and realise that is exactly what is happening! Thanks for sharing that information with me.

Is there any way to turn this feature off? In my case, it might need to go through more than one person to add their comments then sign off.

[try67]

If you don't tick the "Lock the Document" box when signing then the fields should remain editable.

[AkanchhaS]

++ in addition to what try67 has suggested. Or other way around, you do not sign the form unless its not done commenting and signing by other user. (if thats possible)

Let us know if you have further question. 

~Akanchha