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kaush1k
Participant
July 9, 2018
Answered

Is there a way i can create a pdf file with print permissions but not open permission?

  • July 9, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 2152 views

Is there a way i can create a pdf file with print permissions but not open permission?

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Correct answer Karl Heinz Kremer

In order to print, the PDF file needs to be opened (even though you may be printing in the background, it still needs to be opened to read the contents). So no, you cannot prevent opening the PDF file, but allow printing.

4 replies

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Bernd AlheitCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 11, 2018

kaush1k  wrote

Is there a way i can create a pdf file with print permissions but not open permission?

Why want you do this?

Luke Jennings
Luke Jennings
Inspiring
July 11, 2018

This is a bit off topic, but you can set a PDF layer to never view and always print, then lock the ability to edit the PDF.

Such a PDF could be printed, but not viewed on screen. You could add a viewable layer that could include a message like "this PDF will need to be printed to view the content"

Which may be what the OP is trying to achieve.

Dave__M
Community Expert
Dave__MCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 9, 2018

If your question is merely to know if the two permissions can be treated separately, then yes, you can set a Print allow/restrict permission independently from the Document Open permission.

Much to my surprise, On my Windows 10 PC, I just right-clicked on a PDF file on my desktop, and the Print option was there from my context menu.  When clicked, the PDF printed without Acrobat opening the file in the View Panel.

I hope this information is helpful.

My best,

Dave

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
July 9, 2018

The file is opened, printed, and then closed. That's not really surprising. Of course, it won't work if you disallow the option to print the file in the Security properties.

Dave__M
Community Expert
Dave__MCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 9, 2018

I would have thought that too... but I see no indication of the file opening for the print process.  I watched the View Panel of Acrobat, and it does not show the PDF.  I'm surprised!  It does, however add it to the recently opened list.  Go figure.

Dave

Karl Heinz Kremer
Community Expert
Karl Heinz KremerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 9, 2018

In order to print, the PDF file needs to be opened (even though you may be printing in the background, it still needs to be opened to read the contents). So no, you cannot prevent opening the PDF file, but allow printing.

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