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I subscribe to a software service to make things easier, not more complicated. I subscribe to Adobe Acrobat Pro, and every time something comes up that hinders my work. In other words, I don't want to learn anything, and they force me to use Adobe to learn. If I pay for a service, it has to be the full service. If the Adobe platform provides a service that doesn't serve me, I'll have to cancel my subscription and migrate to a platform that honors its service. Now they come saying that my PDF files are incompatible! Damn! I always have to open them for digital signatures as a disabled PDF. This has to be a joke? I pay for the full product, not half-baked goods. Please put yourself in your place. I don't want to learn anything, just sign my PDF documents like I did when I had Adobe Acrobat free. Now I pay for it, and they're hindering my work. This is a crime against the nation. To be harassed while paying for a product.
[Edited the message for better understanding: Adobe moderator]
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Hello @paulo_8095
I hope you are doing well, and I am sorry for the trouble you had.
From what you've described:
Here are some common reasons why PDFs may appear “disabled” or “incompatible” for signing—and how to fix them without needing to learn anything new:
PDFs Created by Non-Standard Tools
Some PDFs generated by third-party apps (e.g., scanners, converters) may not conform to ISO standards.
Fix: Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro and go to Menu > Save As > Optimized PDF. Adobe Guide: Saving PDFs.
PDFs with Security Restrictions
If the document has encryption or editing restrictions, signing may be blocked.
Fix: Go to Menu > Properties > Security and check if signing is allowed. If not, you may need the document owner to remove restrictions. Adobe Guide: PDF properties and metadata.
Digital Signature Field Missing
Acrobat expects a designated signature field.
Fix: Use All Tools > Fill & Sign > Sign Yourself to add your signature manually. Adobe guide: Fill and sign PDF forms.
Please ensure that you have Acrobat Pro installed on the machine. We checked and verified your Adobe ID(email), which you have used to log in to the community, and see that you have an active subscription to Creative Cloud Pro apps, including Acrobat Pro. If you have the freeware Acrobat Reader installed, please use the Acrobat Cleaner tool to remove the app, restart the machine, and install Acrobat Pro. Sign in with the Adobe ID(email) to activate the susbcription and use the features.
Let us know how it goes.
Thanks,
Anand Sri.
[Edited response]
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Hi Anand,
you're doing a good job reacting to the original post here. One remark, though:
PDFs Created by Non-Standard Tools
Some PDFs generated by third-party apps (e.g., scanners, converters) may not conform to Adobe’s standards.
PDF has been an ISO standard for 17 years now, not a proprietary Adobe standard anymore. Thus, I hope you meant "not conform to ISO standards".
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Hello @MikelKlink
Thank you for highlighting it. I meant to add an Adobe article sharing information about the PDF standards, but I missed it. You are right to point out that PDF is now an ISO standard; it's more accurate to say it doesn't conform to ISO 32000 standards, rather than "Adobe’s standards." I have made changes in my response.
Regards,
Anand Sri.
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I pay for a Microsoft Office 365 Family license and open Word to edit, but I have to convert it to PDF via Microsoft. If I pay for Adobe Acrobat Pro, I go into Word and it converts to PDF, but you want me to learn how to use Adobe Acrobat Pro if I pay for the subscription, it's for work and not study. Here in Brazil, we work for private companies and we don't have time to study. I specialize in fine mechanics and I pay for a purchase. I want results, not to bother studying!
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Hello @paulo_8095
I apologize for the inconvenience. However, without confirmation on whether you have tried the suggestions provided in the previous response, it will be challenging to identify the issue and offer potential solutions. If you prefer, you can share your callback details, including the best time for the call and your timezone. I will then arrange for a member of the support team to contact you for assistance in resolving the issue. Please send your details in a private message rather than posting them in the public community thread. To do this, click on my community profile name and select "Message" to send a direct message with your callback information.
Thanks,
Anand Sri.
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