Signed PDF: how to "save a copy"?

[JR Boulay]

See screengrabs, the Acrobat Pro message prompt me to "save a copy".

But I can only:

- "Save as", which copies the document identically, or

- "Save as other" which does not work either because it launches an infinite loop, see this topic: https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/editing-a-signed-pdf-the-infinite-loop/td-p/10758213

How can I save a copy of a signed PDF???

[Bernd Alheit]

How does you create the PDF file?

[JR Boulay]

I did not create this document, I received it and signed it. But this document does not matter to me, it's just a test for screenshots.
The problem arises for all signed documents, whether I have created them or not.

[margueritek]

To Save a Copy, do a SaveAs then open the copy you just saved. But I think you are really saying that you can't edit a signed file. That is true, since the signature tells the person viewing the file that the content has not changed. You can only edit before signing.

[JR Boulay]

As said above, "Save as" does not change the document, it stays signed.

I don't want to edit a signed PDF, I want to edit a copy of a signed PDF.

Acrobat proposes to do it but does not give the right process, which I consider as not very serious.

[margueritek]

I disagree with your statement "Acrobat proposes to do it". You can remove the signature if you are the signer. Otherwise, you must go back to the creator or original signer and get an unsigned copy of the PDF. That is "as designed".

[JR Boulay]

I disagree with your statement "Acrobat proposes to do it".  … That is "as designed".

Please, look at above screenshots. You can not disagree, because it's written on them.

You can remove the signature if you are the signer.

I'm the signer of this document.

And the "Remove all signature" menu item is always grayed out.

[margueritek · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry, but the message is lying. Internally to Acrobat, the only difference between SaveAs and Save a Copy is which PDF is open after the save. SaveAs reopens the file you just saved. Save a Copy saves the file but leaves the original document open. There is no way you can edit a signed file. To remove your signature, right-click on the signature and take the drop-down option to delete it.

I've not seen this message except when someone clicks "view signed version" in a signature panel item. That opens an earlier version of the document (i.e. just after that signature was applied) for viewing in read-only mode. Since it's not a file in itself (it's a prefix of the open file), it needs to be saved as a stand-alone file before you can do anything with it. In this case, only SaveAs makes sense.

[Thom Parker]

Actually, SaveAs doesn't re-open anything. It makes its "Save As modifications" and saves the file to the new path and file name.  And there is a significant difference in how Acrobat handles them "internally".  Why don't you look it up if you are interested.

[Test Screen Name]

Historically, Save a copy was a menu item which appeared ONLY when dealing with signed files of certain types (especially Reader Enabled) and it did NOT function the same as SAVE AS. It did indeed, save an unsigned copy. I don't know why it does not appear for you; this may be a bug.

[JR Boulay]

I'm sorry, but the message is lying.

Thank you.

That's what I was afraid to read and that's what I wanted to know: Does Acrobat keep its promise when it announces that it can save an editable copy of a signed PDF?
Looks like the answer is no.

So I will continue with the old method: save as with Apple Preview…

😉

Can someone advise me a software to do that with Windows?

[Gabelou]

Perhaps an open document solution - choose Print - Adobe PDF format - then print. A new version of the document opens, fully accessible. cordially

[JoaKing]

You saved me over 3 years later wth

[LuMags]

Yup, this worked for me. There is no "Save as copy" option as per the incorrectly error message.  I'm on latest versions of course. big thanks to @Gabelou for this workaround 🙂 

[inkybme1]

I realize this thread is 7 months old, but perhaps someone will benefit.  I am using Win 10, Acrobat Pro XI.  I received a signed (and locked) document and wanted to add my initials to the document.  It is not necessary that I use the Fill and Sign tools to add my initials.  I wanted to preserve the existing signature and add an image of my initials.  Because the original document was locked for security purposes, I was not able to simply add a scanned image of my initials.  The workaround is to Combine Files into a Single PDF, add the signed (locked) document, then save it.  The result is a .pdf showing the exisiting signature, not locked, and I was able to now add my initials and make other edits.  I think this was what you were trying to do.  If not, my mistake, but I hope this helps should someone want to edit a signed and locked document.  

[Nicole22124018icl2]

Thank you lifesaver (inkybme1)!! This feature is needed when documents have to be exchanged after being digitally signed (ie dated).

[diannee79146493]

Thank you so much.  This saved me a lot of time.

[PLouise@TPC]

This still works in August 2023.  Thank you for helping !!

[Deep Chhatbar]

The only way you can do this is to go to File > Print(or press ctrl+p) and select Microsoft Print to pdf and click print. Select the file destination and click save. Open that file and boom!!! you can edit now. 

This is because in most cases, print permission is allowed. This will not work if print permission is restricted by the owner of the pdf.

[Melissa22942485o14j]

Thank you! This is the only way I could save the document without the "Signature Panel". The only downfall is that the new saved document has the word "COPY" all over. 

[Ronda28972878zsaq]

This is also the only way you can combine signed pdfs into another document.

[Leslie5E84]

I can't save, but can print.  I print mine along with the audit report, then scan and save.

[Test Screen Name]

Why are you posting these weird and useless replies to old messages, Will? This is nothing whatever to do with the question, except you use the word "Save" in both. I think you're going to find yourself blocked if you don't explain... so please explain, we'd welcome more help, especially for current questions.

[Ronda25884060myou]

Will'ssuggestions are totally valid to the question which was how to create a unsigned copy of a signed document.

[Test Screen Name]

For those reading this confusing discussion later - I replied to a useless (spammy?) reply by "Will". The reply by Will is gone. But our discussion of whether his reply is useful lives on. To make it more confusing.