Keep fillable forms after updating PDF in Illustrator

[OI_SeniorDesigner]

I used to be able to do minor updates to a PDF that had fillable forms in Illustrator and save it. When opening the PDF back up in Acrobat it would still have the Fillable form fields it had to begin with. Now when I do this the Form Fields are not kept when saving out of Illustrator. Not sure if an update did something? Any suggestions?

[akunce · Accepted solution]

I create fillable forms starting in Word, rather than Illustrator, but I think the same method should work.

1. I have a fillable form where I need to update the content.
2. Make the edits in Word (or in your case Illustrator) and save as a pdf.
3. Open the form pdf in Acrobat Pro, go to Tools > Organize Pages and select the page(s) I need to update.
4. Click on "Replace" and replace that page with the pdf I just updated.
5. Once the page is replaced, click out of tools and your form fields should be still there, with the underlying page all updated.
6. You may have to go to "Prepare Form" to reorganize, resize, move your form fields, etc. but it's a lot less work than trying to make big changes in Tools > Edit PDF.

I know this isn't what you are asking, exactly. It'd be nice to keep everything in Illustrator, but I hope this gives you an alternative if you can't get Illustrator to behave nicely.

[Treboria]

Yes! I used to be able to do this too! It's so frustrating that I can't just open the pdf in illustrator, edit it, save it, and the fillable form aspects remin. I hope it can get it fixed

[JR Boulay]

Illustrator is not a PDF editor!

You should watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esJgTBa9Sfk

[Graphics Toledo]

Its not about Illustrator being a PDF editor. It has been possible to open a PDF that contained an embeded form field that was created in Adobe Acrobat Pro, change the art in Illustrator and save it out without losing the form fields. This has held true for at least 15+ years. Our company has work flows that were created based on this fact. Up until the 27.5 Illustrator update this was possible and we have not update Illustrator from 27.4 because of this fact.

[JR Boulay]

This process is not recommended, as Illustrator screws up PDF files.
The best practice is to create and modify the layout with Illustrator (or similar) and export it as a PDF.
Then, each time you make a change, open the form in Acrobat Pro and use "Replace page" to import the new PDF. This only replaces the layout, all other elements (fields, metadata, etc.) remain intact.

[Graphics Toledo]

Sorry, but when time is critical in a production setting such a workflow as you described is not feasible. What you 

[JR Boulay]

"Replace page" takes about 1 to 2 seconds, for the rest it makes no difference.

[Graphics Toledo]

Except when you have scripting involved or other aspects you are not taking into account. Yes, hitting a replace button takes 1 to 2 seconds, but the rest of the process takes alot longer. 

[JR Boulay]

I quote myself:

"... use "Replace page" to import the new PDF. This only replaces the layout, all other elements (fields, metadata, etc.) remain intact."

[Buels5E19]

The method that's worked for me is to edit the design in Illustrator, export as a pdf, open in Acrobat> edit text and images and copy all content, then I open the existing form, delete all the old artwork (but leave the form fields) pasting the new design into the already setup form

Takes maybe 5 minutes and means I don't have to setup the form adjustments all over again!