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russd66871773
Participant
May 10, 2023
Question

Looking for clarification on how to sign a PDF file

  • May 10, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 1135 views

Hello Community,

I am looking for clarification on the use of Signatures in PDF files.  Specifically, I am trying to use my signature by placing it on a given file (not in a signature form field, but simply placing it on the file through going to Fill & Sign -> Sign Yourself -> selecting my signature and placing it on the file, then saving the file).  What I am finding is that it is very simple to reverse that process and remove the signature by opening the file, selecting Edit PDF, then selecting the signature object and deleting it.  At first I thought this might be because I'm the "owner" of the file, so I asked another of our users to sign a file in the same way and send it to me, and I found that I was able to delete his signature as well.

This (obviously) defeats the purpose of signing a file.  What is the proper way to sign any given PDF file so that the signature cannot be removed and becomes part of the file?

Thanks in advance,

Russ

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1 reply

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
May 10, 2023

The "proper" way is to use a signature field.

Failing that, you can secure the file after you saved it, and restrict its editing.

However, if you want it to really be secured you should also apply a file-open security policy, not just a file-edit one.

R
russd66871773Author
Participant
May 10, 2023

Hello TRY67,

Thanks for replying and for the info.  I was honestly hoping I had just missed a setting or something.  I can understand that the signature should be put in a signature field, but the current implementation is a bit misleading given it is possible to put a signature anywhere on any PDF file.  Can you advise on how to make a feature request?  The product users would be better served, in my opinion, if the Fill & Sign tools were unavailable if the given PDF file does not contain a signature field OR if adding a signature to a given PDF file would then require the file be saved as a new version and the signature would become a part of the file and could not be removed.

Thanks again,

Russ

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