Is there a way to tell if a PDF is interactive or print by looking at the file?

[bschaefer6]

If there are no obvious indicators (ie. editable fields) is there any way to find out which type of PDF it is?

[Test Screen Name]

There isn't really any distinction - no on/off switch and many files might be suitable for both (if unnccessarily large for interactive use). Maybe you're concerned with whether the imatges are high enough resolution for printing? Again, not a switch - each image could have a different resolution. That can be checked with preflight at least.

[bschaefer6]

There's no way to tell if a PDF was created as interactive or print?

[try67]

It's easily done with a script, like this:

if (this.numFields==0) app.alert("This file has NO fields.",3);

else app.alert("This file has fields.",3);

[bschaefer6]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with using scripts. Could you explain what you mean?

[try67]

Maybe you should explain first how you want it to work... How do you want to trigger this command, and what should be the outcome?

The script I provided will show an alert window with one of two texts. You can use it as a part of a Custom Command, for example, and run it on the current file, or it can be adjusted and used as a part of an Action to generate a message to the Console with the name of each file and the number of fields in it...

[JR Boulay · Accepted solution]

Go to the Print Production tools : Convert Colors

A PDF exported as interactive from InDesign is RGB only, a PDF exported for print may content CMYK and spot colors.

[Luke Jennings3]

If a pdf was exported from InDesign as an interactive pdf, the Form Options (Clear Form, etc.) would be available under the Acrobat Edit menu options (regardless if the pdf contains any forms), in a print pdf, these would not be available for selection.

Edit, actually, it appears some interactivity would be needed from InDesign for this to work.

Other indications of an interactive pdf: No bleed, no overprinting.

[JR Boulay]

In the InDesign sense, "interactive" does not necessarily mean "containing form fields".

Many people use it for low-res proofing purposes.