PDF Document cannot be edited after saving

[Guest]

I am able to download a PDF document, and fill in the form. However, when I save the document, close it, and open it again, I cannot edit anything anymore. I also cannot digitally sign any of the signature fields. When I open the document after saving and closing, I get a message that reads,

"This document enabled extended features in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. The document has been changed since it was created and use of extended features is no longer available."

I have another fillable PDF document that works just fine after saving and closing and does not produce the error message, and can be edited after opening again.

Can anyone help me out?

[Jill37522882uvxo]

I am losing my mind over a CMS1500 file I need to keep updating the "Blank" version of and it keeps rendering all of my fields unfillable. I need to regularly have a fillable version of this form, why does it keep locking? I can't even unlock all of the forms on my "blank" form and I can't "revert it" past one save to get it to when it was all editable. This is a nightmare.

[Jill37522882uvxo]

I googled "adobe make form fillable again" and there is a link there to university of Michigan. These steps helped me:

Resolution
When a PDF form is signed in Adobe Acrobat and saved, all other form fields may become locked and can no longer be modified. The individual form fields will need to be unlocked in order to be modified. This can be done by following the steps below:

Open the PDF document in Adobe Acrobat
Select the "Prepare Form" tool
(This can be opened from the "Tools" tab at the top of Adobe, or from the Tools panel on the right side of Adobe)
Select the form field(s) to unlock
(Note: You can select multiple form fields to edit them all at once by holding the "Ctrl" key on Windows or "Command" key on Mac)
Open the form field properties window
(Double-click the form field OR right-click and select properties)
Uncheck "Locked" checkbox in bottom-left corner
Uncheck "Read Only" checkbox
Re-check "Locked" checkbox and select "Close"
Click the "Preview" button in the top-right of Adobe and ensure the changes are correct, then click the "Close" button; otherwise, click "Edit" to continue making changes
Save and close the document

I think previously I didn't recheck "locked" after making it NOT read-only. Now it's working. Terrible software adobe, make it more intuitive.

[Bruno27803690dlfg · Accepted solution]

I was having the same problem. I figured out that if I Put in a 'PDF' signature (which is what I was doing) and saved it, that was it. I did some tests and as long as I didn't put that signature in it would save, I could close it, and it would reopen, no problem, with all the fields working.

[sowmya_murli]

I agree. I faced the same

[christelle_0008]

You are a true lifesaver!!!!!! thank you!!!

[phongus]

Came here to say the same thing.  Thanks for pointing this out!

[Natalie38796420p06j]

I've tried everything here to re-edit a document that I created and reading all of the responses it seems that there is not a solution from Adobe, I'm wasting a lot of time on something that shouldn't be this complicated. If I signed the document when I initially filled the fields why can't I unlock it to complete the form? This is really stupid, sorry I have nothing better to add to the conversation. 

[Simon38869550k6ld]

I have had the same problem. By opening file in Firefox not Adobe I have managed to edit the file. I then saved with original name and opened in Adobe - changes disappeared. Went back to Firefox, edited one field and saved file with new name.

Opened in Adobe and got message "file is damaged but being repaired" once opened changes had been kept, but still can't edit in Adobe.

So edited again in Firefox saved file with same name opened in Adobe - changes still there.

So edit in Firefox (or other browser) and only view in Adobe. A possible solution?

[thuong_0635]

I found out that if I reopen the saved PDF file with Microsoft Edge then it will have a tool for me to keep editting the file. Google Chrome does not offer thess editting tools for PDF file. Yay!

[motivated_Eclipse2912]

Hi another option that works is to convert the pdf to word where you can edit and then resave as pdf. (ilovepdf.com worked for me and its free)

[dmw1908]

I have experienced this problme for years and it was beyond frustrating, especially when you cant find the answer to your problem. I think I figured it out.
If you have this issue and HAVE NOT ADDED AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE this is the solution

1. Tools > Prepare Form
2. Select All fields
3. Right click > Properties
4. General > uncheck "Locked" in bottom left
5. Uncheck "Read Only" in Common Properties

If YOU HAVE ADDED AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE,  you will no longer be able to edit the file. You can save, close and re-open the editible file AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT ADD THE ACTUAL ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE. My fix is to save the file under a new name without the signature and then save it again with the signature with a new name. 

That signature closes the file and deems it non editible.

I hope this helps you guys

[flavien_5641]

Can some managers at Adobe just get FIRED for having such desastrous ideas ?