NO LONGER able to insert PDF file as image in fillable PDF

[D5630-RYE]

We depend upon fillable application forms created with Adobe Acrobat DC.  Our forms include image insertion of photos and documents or certificates.  We have recently discovered that Acrobat Reader DC is no longer working for image insertion of files in PDF format.  Our applicants often use Adobe Scan to make quick PDF scans of their documents from their phones and these have inserted nicely into our fillable form...until recently.  Now PDF files are no longer visible during image insertion using Acrobat Reader DC.  JPG, PNG and TIF files still work okay but no longer PDF files.   It seems like Adobe is needlessly limiting Acrobat Reader DC capabilities.   Is this intentional or just an overlooked detail in the enabled feature sets for Acrobat Reader?

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that.

Would you mind sharing the version of Acrobat Reader DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 22.1.20085 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once,

You may also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and reboot the computer once.

Is this an issue with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs? Please try with a different PDF file and check. If its a file-specific issue please share the file with us so that we can check it at our end.

What happens when you try to insert the image into the PDF form? Do you get any error message? If yes, please share the screenshot of the same for a better understanding. A small video recording of the same would be very helpful.

Regards

Amal

[D5630-RYE]

The first user to report this problem was in Canada using Windows 10 Acrobat Reader DC continuous update version 2021.011.20039.  Similar problems in USA on macOS Big Sur with continuous update version 2022.002.20085.  Both systems are 32-bit.  Repair installation did not help.

The problem is as if Acrobat Reader DC no longer considers any PDF to be a valid file type for insertion of an image.  If browsing to insert from a folder containing multiple types of image files, only those files with of type TIF, JPG, or PNG are shown as possible choices.  On Windows 10, existing PDF files are not shown as possible selections.  On macOS PDF files are visible as 'greyed out' (non-valid) choices.

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well. Please try to export the PDF file as an image and save this image file on your system and then try to insert this image file into the PDF form and check.

Regards

Amal

[Test Screen Name]

Amal, that's missing the point. We all know we can import images. The original poster wants to import PDF, as has always been possible. Has Adobe removed this feature?

[D5630-RYE]

I'm sorry if I have not explained this clearly.  Of course your suggestion would work. But here is the problem:  The users have Acrobat Reader DC.  Acrobat Reader does not support exporting PDF documents to files that can be imported as images (e.g. JPG, PNG, TIF). 

Your suggestion would require the applicants to find other software or an on-line conversion service.  Printing and re-scanning could also work.  These alternatives all require extra steps which can be challenging for anyone with limited experience.  Such needless complications can be avoided if Acrobat Reader DC restores the ability to import PDF images into fillable forms.

[Bernd Alheit]

You can insert PDF files:

[D5630-RYE]

Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe nicht genau, was Sie darstellen. Bitte lesen Sie meinen nächsten Beitrag für weitere Details über das Problem.

[Bernd Alheit]

The screenshot shows a part of the file selection dialog.

[D5630-RYE]

This is 'workaround' solution.  It requires changing the file type from 'Image Files' (*.pjg,*gif,*.png,*tif) to 'Acrobat PDF files (*.pdf).  This requires using the pull-down in the lower right corner of the file explorer on Windows systems.  This seems to work, but is an extra step that was previously not required.

On macOS systems the Browse feature defaults to "Image Files" such as previouly described.  However, by taking the extra stop to click the "Options" button, it is possible to change the "Show;" selection from "Image files" to "Acrobat PDF files."  At first nothing happens.  However, after waiting, the screen eventually allows 'greyed out' PDF files to be selected.  (One test did seem to change the browse screen so PDF files were shown normally for selection and 'image files' were 'greyed out'.  However this could not be reproduced on further tests.)  The behavior is not consistent with usual browse operation and seems like a 'bug'.   This browse behavior will require new 'workaround instructions' for users and remains a 'step backwards' compared to previous behavior while browsing to insert images in a fillable PDF.

Short of a 'bug fix' from Adobe (as suggested by "Test Screen Name"), this answer from Bernd Alheit is the most helpful, so far, even though it is not the complete solution wished for.

[D5630-RYE]

Further clarification.   This problem is evident only when using recent versions of Adobe Reader DC to complete fillable forms that call for insertion of an image.  The same problem occurs whether using the fillable form fileds for 'button icon' or  'image field'.  These fillable fields both use the same Javascript:   event.target.buttonImportIcon();

Before the above JavaScript is executed, the user will see a "Select Image" window like this: 

The Browse no longer displays PDF files as permitted choices.  Only files such as JPG, PNG or TIF are visible to select.  In the past PDF files would also be visible for selection.

The failure to show PDF files is only a problem with Adobe Reader DC (not full version Acrobat).
This failure to show PDF files happens only during the Browse selection process.

PDF files can still be inserted, but only by entering the full path and file name into the "File:" window.  (Must users will not know how to do this.)

It appears that this Browse function is incorrectly filtering the valid file types and failing to include PDF as permissible for Adobe Reader DC.   This behavior is a recent change.   This was never a problem, previously.

[D5630-RYE]

Typos corrected:  "...The same problem occurs whether using the fillable form fields for 'button icon' or  'image field'.  These fillable fields both use the same JavaScript;   event.target.buttonImportIcon();   ... "

[Test Screen Name]

That sounds like a clear bug rather than the deliberate removal of a feature (since, as you say, the insert PDF function still exists but the UI does not say so). Please report https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html and post a link here, so others can vote on it - bug fixing is now a popularity contest.

[D5630-RYE]

Okay.  Thank you for the suggestion.

[Bernd Alheit]

What does you see when you click on Browse?

[D5630-RYE]

When Browse is clicked, the user sees ONLY files that are in one of the usual image file formats such as:    .bmp   .tif   .jpg   .png   

Any files that are present with the format ".pdf" are hidden and can not selected via Browse.

[D5630-RYE]

Now I understand your original post.  On macOS systems the Browse feature defaults to "Image Files" such as previouly described.  However, by taking the extra stop to click the "Options" button, it is possible to change the "Show;" selection from "Image files" to "Acrobat PDF files."  At first nothing happens.  However, after waiting, the screen eventually changes to show only .pdf files.    (We can add this to our instructions, but it is not as convenient for users as it was previously.)