PDF form fields show data while in Outlook preview, but empty as soon as you open it

Question

We received a couple of PDFs from a client.  When looking at the PDF from Outlook 2016's Reading Pane, filled-in data is clearly visible in the form (name, address, etc.).  However, as soon as we open the PDF document, all of the fields are blank.  I saw where other users had similar issues, but said if they clicked in the field the information showed up - but ours do not.  We are using Windows 10, Office 2016, and have tested opening the PDFs in both Adobe Acrobat DC and Adobe Reader DC, an earlier version of Adobe Reader, and even eCopy, another PDF software we have.   Any ideas?

skridler · Answer

I know this post is old, but I had the exact same problem and the solution was to export the data then import it. For a one-page form, it only took a couple of minutes.

Details: Open the file in Acrobat (not just Acrobat Reader).

Select everything on the page. (The fields still might not look like they're selected.)

From the tools (or from the "File" menu) choose "Export PDF".

Export to your desired format. (I chose "Word Document" and then saved it as a pdf. However, you could probably also export to CSV and then import from there back into the file. These instructions might help. https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/collecting-pdf-form-data.html)
I got the idea from this thread.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/form-field-info-not-showing-up-unless-field-is-clicked/td-p/3069827?page=1

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