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OI_SeniorDesigner
OI_SeniorDesigner
New Participant
February 21, 2020
Answered

Keep fillable forms after updating PDF in Illustrator

  • February 21, 2020
  • 7 replies
  • 2864 views

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?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer akunce

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.

7 replies

B
Buels5E19
New Participant
November 7, 2024

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!

JR Boulay
JR Boulay
Community Expert
November 2, 2023

I quote myself:

 

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

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
JR Boulay
JR Boulay
Community Expert
November 1, 2023

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

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
G
Graphics Toledo
Participating Frequently
November 1, 2023

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
JR Boulay
Community Expert
October 31, 2023

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.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
G
Graphics Toledo
Participating Frequently
October 31, 2023

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

    JR Boulay
    JR Boulay
    Community Expert
    June 17, 2023

    Illustrator is not a PDF editor!

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

    Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    G
    Graphics Toledo
    Participating Frequently
    October 30, 2023

    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.

      T
      Treboria
      New Participant
      June 16, 2023

      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

      A
      akunceCorrect answer
      Inspiring
      February 21, 2020

      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.

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