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How do you make a PDF not editable?

Community Beginner ,
Nov 07, 2016 Nov 07, 2016

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Hello - Since converting to Acrobat DC, my office has had trouble making our PDFs not editable. I followed the security functions (File>Properties>Security>Password Security), but this prevents users from being able to print the document--and our users must have that option. However, if we don't apply the password protection, users can edit text, images, etc--which must not happen either. What function creates a static PDF like in the "old days"? Thanks, Gwen

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Edit and convert PDFs

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Community Expert ,
Nov 07, 2016 Nov 07, 2016

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When you apply the security policy you can select to allow printing, while still forbidding editing of other kinds.

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Community Beginner ,
Nov 07, 2016 Nov 07, 2016

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Thanks, Try67: using your prompt, I made changes to the security settings. That does make the document non-editable. It's not quite the answer I was looking for, though--I will try to articulate it better.

When I export a document to PDF from InDesign, Word, or other programs, the document comes over with editable properties. I don't want that. I want the document to arrive in Acrobat in a static condition. I don't want to edit text, images, or anything else. Is there an export function I need to select? If not possible, what can I do in Acrobat to remove the editability from the document while making it possible to forward to a superior to apply a signature?

Maybe I need to post this in an InDesign forum.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 07, 2016 Nov 07, 2016

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I don't know about ID, but in Acrobat it's easily done. Open the file, go to File - Properties - Security and select Password Security.

You'll see this dialog:

If you want to allow digital signing and printing then select these options:

Enter your password, click OK, save the file and you're done.

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New Here ,
Nov 04, 2020 Nov 04, 2020

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When I do this it still will not let it be fillable to another person I am emailing. It is stating that it is policy protected. Please help. Do I need to do something in a Java Script? 

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Community Expert ,
Nov 04, 2020 Nov 04, 2020

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What options did you select in the Security dialog, exactly? Did you add form fields to the file before securing it?

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New Here ,
Nov 05, 2020 Nov 05, 2020

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I followed the picture above my post. And yes I added the fields and
buttons and everything before I secured it.

--
*Thank you for your time,*

*Jeremiah Hall*
Data Manager
[Moderator deleted private information. Please do not post private information like e-mails and phone numbers]

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New Here ,
Nov 05, 2020 Nov 05, 2020

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I follow the picture above this post. And the fields where added befor securing it.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 04, 2020 Nov 04, 2020

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Does the other person fill it on a mobile device? Or does the person use Fill & Sign?

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New Here ,
Nov 05, 2020 Nov 05, 2020

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Mobile and Fill and Sign

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Community Expert ,
Nov 05, 2020 Nov 05, 2020

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Don't protect the file when you want use it on mobile devices.

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Community Expert ,
Nov 05, 2020 Nov 05, 2020

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You can apply exactly the same security settings when exporting to PDF from InDesign, in the last pane of the PDF export options box.

InDesign_w6jNRyVEMz.png

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Community Expert ,
Nov 05, 2020 Nov 05, 2020

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And from Word too

 

WINWORD_PDCkWIB2RQ.png

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Guest
Apr 14, 2021 Apr 14, 2021

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wHAT VERSION OF WORD ARE YOU USING?

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