Unable to add or edit existing form fields

[David Manresa]

Hi all,

I need to edit the form of a PDF file, but when I go to the Edit Form tool, it show all the form components grayed out and I can't add them to the PDF. I can only add plain text.

I can't even select the existing checkboxes or text fields to move them or change them.

Looking at the properties of the PDF file it says that it was created with the application Acrobat PDFMaker 21 for Word. I don't know if this is the reason I can't edit it.

I am new to PDF form editing, so any help is appreciated.

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

Is the PDF document protected? You should be able to see that by going to your document Properties, and then select the "Security" tab. Does it list any restrictions? 

[David Manresa]

The document is protected, but I have the password and I used it. On the permissions it says allowed on everything.

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

I would remove the protection, save the file and then try to edit the saved copy. Does that work? 

[David Manresa · Accepted solution]

It seems that the issue is some kind of a bug.

When I open the file, if I go to the Edit tab it prompts me for the password. If I insert the password and afterwards I go to the Prepare Form tool, then I can add and edit the form fields.

If I go to the Prepare Form directly after opening the file, it will not prompt for the password. If I attempt and edit on the file it will request the password, but the form fields will remain grayed out and unselectable.

[Karl Heinz Kremer]

If you think you found a bug in Acrobat, you can report it here: http://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html