How do I password protect a PDF file?

[bill234]

how do I password protect a pdf?

[Sara_Forsberg · Accepted solution]

Hi bill234,

To password protect a PDF file, you need to use Acrobat. Please see Acrobat Help | Securing PDFs with passwords.

Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Best,

Sara

[Guest]

If my Adobe Acrobat XI Pro doesn't have Protection under common tools...

Where can I find this aspect?

[Sara_Forsberg]

Hi keithl,

First, please make sure that you're using Adobe Acrobat, rather than Adobe Reader (I make that mistake all the time, as I have both on my system).

Then, in Acrobat, you'll find the security options in the document properties:

1. Choose File > Properties.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Choose an option from the Security Method pop-up menu, and follow the prompts.

Please let us know how it goes.

Best,

Sara

[Steven237721944g71]

I have Adobe Acrobat Export PDF . I needed to password protect a file 1 year ago and the online help guided me to do this.

I cant seem to find the way to do it now.

[MeenakshiNegi]

Hi Steven,

Thank you for reaching out.

You will need an Acrobat subscription to password protect the PDF. You may refer to the steps suggested in the following help document to password protect the PDF: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/securing-pdfs-passwords.html. 

Adobe Acrobat Export PDF only helps you convert PDF files to other format files. For more information about Adobe Export PDF, please refer to the following help document: https://helpx.adobe.com/document-cloud/faq/adobe-exportpdf-faq.html. 

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Rosemary261418457g3i]

My question is the opposite.  I have files I wish to combine into 1 PDF.  They were filled and signed by me and now it is saying they are password protected.  I didn't - intentionally - set any password for these documents.  So what password is it looking for?

Thanks

[try67]

The password is the one used for the digital signature. You will need to remove that signature to be able to merge them. Open them in Acrobat, right-click the signature field and select Clear Signature to do so.

[MeenakshiNegi]

Hi Rosemary261418457g3i,

Thank you for reaching out.

It seems that you are trying to combine the PDF which is signed in Acrobat Sign. 

If that is correct then it is not possible to combine those documents. 

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Rosemary261418457g3i]

Yes, I have a question Meenakshi.  

If this is not possible to do, why does it ask for a password when I try to perform that action?  And, I am still at a loss as to what password?  I did not set one so this is confusing.

Thank you!