Not loading field data when viewing W-9 form that was filled in non-Adobe software

[Josue23286102pi5w]

When viewing with Acrobat Pro, W-9 forms (that have been filled in not-Adobe branded software) are loading with all their fields blank. Examples are Chrome and Edge - filing the form with these will cause the issue with Pro.

In reaching out to Adobe Support, it looks like it is an issue with compatability between PDF software.

We have found that Acrobat Reader does not have this issue, only Acrobat Pro. We could have Reader and Pro installed on user's computers, but this has caused an issue where Reader opens when the user selected Pro.

Please note that if the forms were filled with Reader or Pro to begin with, then there is no issue viewing the filled form with Pro.

Have any of you found a way to make Acrobat Pro behave like Reader when opening a PDF? Does Pro have a preview mode that might ignore the script that might be causing an issue?

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

If you want to test it out you can:

• find the W-9 for in the IRS site here: Form W-9 (Rev. October 2018) (irs.gov)
• fill out the form while in your web browser (edge or chrome)
• download the filled form
• open the form with Acrobat Pro

Already attempted:

• Disableling Security Enhanced options
  • Enable Protected Mode at startup
  • Enable Enhanced Security
• It was suggested that we flattent he PDF and recreate the fileds - would rather not do this with a W-9
• It was suggested that we print to PDF - this will work, yet I forsee some PDFs stillmakeing it through as forms

Thank you for your time.

God bless,

Josue

[try67]

This form is not a standard PDF file, but one created in something called LiveCycle Designer. As such, almost no PDF viewers (except for Adobe's) know how to handle it properly. If you already have the files that were filled-in elsewhere my best advice for you is to try to export the form data from them (to an XML file), and then import it back into a clean copy (in Acrobat, of course). Maybe that will solve the issues you're having with them.

[Josue23286102pi5w]

Thank you for the reply TRY67

That could be the solution if we are not able to find a way for Acrobat Pro to behave like Reader - or we do not find another suitable preview method (I am assuming our users are only trying to view the details in this specific scenario with W-9s).

[Thom Parker]

That Reader is able to view the data in these forms is a fluke. And may change with any update.  It is unfortunate that this form was filled with a browser veiwer, that is not a fate I'd wish on a regualar PDF form, but for an XFA is it highly inappropiate.  I would strongly suggest you get W-9 forms that are regular PDF forms.  Or force your users to use Adobe Reader to fill them out.  You are very lucky that the data is even accessible at all. 

Try67 has provided you with one of a very small set of possible solutions.  I'm not convinced it will work because the data is not stored properly. As soon as you attempt to export it, Reader will update the fields and wipe out the data. Which is what Acrobat Pro is probably doing.  

You have a set of higly unstable forms. If you want to save the data I'd suggest you hire a professional.  

[IT Cowboy]

PDF viewers in Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and even Adobe Photoshop all open the PDF with the form data...  This makes no sense.  Adobe Pro (the PAID version) seems to be the only version that can't open these files properly?!

[Thom Parker]

Try67's post is explaining about how XFA (now AEM) forms are corrupted by 3rd Party PDF viewers.

Were these forms filled in a non-compliant 3rd Party viewer?  If so, then it's no surprise Adobe Acrobat won't show the data. But to be sure you would have to post the form so it could be analyzed. 

[IT Cowboy]

Why would it work in Acrobat Reader, but not identical version/bitness Acrobat Pro?

[IT Cowboy]

Even the PDF viewer on this web page (if you click my attachment above) shows data in the forms fields...

[IT Cowboy]

here is pro loading the same file...

[mariahweyne]

I would just save it and then fill it out on after downloading it.

[IT Cowboy]

We have this exact same issue.  It's maddenning.

[Dan25862244zaa6]

Same issue, specifically with IRS W-9, but I've seen it with other governmental forms as well.  It is terrible.  I can preview the form which I filled out, and it has all the correct info, but when my paid Adobe Pro pulls it up, it is blank.

[try67]

If it's the same file as above then it contains errors both in the file structure and in the code, which could explain this issue. You need to report it to the IRS so they fix it. There's nothing we can do about it.