Acrobat "Place Signature" issue when using a PDF created in Excel using the add-in

[Guest]

Hi all, this is my first post here. In the past I always found my answer online but this time seems more complicated.

My issue shoes up when I create PDFs in Ecel using the Adobe Add-In and then add my signature with the Fill&Sign "Place Signature". The document is afterward combine to other pdf by an automated programe and my signature dissapear. However other PDF not creaded via the Adobe Add-In in Excel don't have this issue.

If I open the PDF created with the Adobe Add-In in Excel and use the Tool/Edit Text & Images I don't see a square around my signature and if I hover over it I don't see the image icon unlike PDF created differently which have a square around the signature and when my cursor hover over the square an image icon shoes up letting me know that the signature is an image.

If the signature becomes an image during the "save as" it then can be combine to other PDF without dissapearing but if it is not an image it will dessapear. Can someone explain to me why in some context the signature become an image during the "save as" and in onther context it does not and when it does not what it is if it is not an image?

Thank you in advence for taking the time to help me.

[ls_rbls]

If you're trying to  do this procedure after the document is digitally signed you won't be able  to. It looks like your're trying to merge (or combine ) files after a document is signed and that is part of the security.

Let's say, for example, that an agreement was signed between two parties; it is basically  preventing the signed document from being tampered with additional documents that were not included at the time that the original document was sealed with digital signatures. So the result is a new merged document without the signature because it expectes to be signed again.

I'm not sure if I am explaining it in the best easy way to understand.

But the best context that I can describe in this case is to look at it like, after an agreement is signed,  Adobe Acrobat will prevent someone from adding more terms and conditions to an agreement that was already signed. Does that makes sense?

Moreover, I think you're mixing the use of Fill &Sign with a digital signature field which are entirely different when it comes to its use and application.

[Guest]

Thank you for the answer. I don't think I'm confusing Fill&Sign with digital signature. I'm not using digital signature because the document is being merged with other document in a quality package for our customer afterward. So I'm using electronic signature instead (Fill&Sign) without encryption, this way the document can be merge. No customer complained in the last 5 years so no issue there. I did some more test today that were conclusive. I uploaded a new signature picture that is jpg with white background instead of a png with transparent background. The person usign the automated program confirmed that my signature was not removed on that test.

Also, I mentioned on the original post that there was no square around my signature and no image icon but a new thing I found today was that if I zoom in the document the square around my signature appear and the image icon too.

I would consider this issue solved, thanks again for the prompt answer.

P.S. I found a way to combine PDF with digital signature in one pdf as attachement with the paper clip thing but the QA team did not like it since we never had problem with customer in the past even if it's a stronger signature.

[ls_rbls]

Hey that is great! thanks for sharing that.

I get what you're saying though.  I think I went overboard with the digital signature thing. I was the one who didn't understood what you were trying to explain, so my apologies.

In my case I tried to recreate your scenario using the combine files tool in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. There was no issue using this method.

But the question that you posted had to do about Microsoft Exel using the PDF Maker add-in. This add-in relies heavily on the Distiller version that your current Acrobat Pro DC is updated to.

It also affects Save As PDF, or print to PDF options from a MS Office appliaction.. 

Just earlier I was trying to help other Office 365 users who are having issues with this add-in.

It seems that there is an integration issue going on with recent updates between MS Windows, MS Office, and Adobe PDF Maker add-in. 

If you're able to figure out more about the issue please share it here.

In the meanwhile, below are some links of interest to troubleshoot the Adobe PDF Maker add-in see if they're also useful :

• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/miscellaneous/incompatibilities-between-office-...

• https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-acrobat-pdfmaker-problems-office.html#temp_problem

• https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/troubleshoot-postscript-errors.html