Change the underlying document of the template

Report · Dec 23, 2016

Hi

I need to make minor changes to the word document which formed the basis for my Adobe Sign form.

Its a rather complicated signing form, and will take ages to redo all the form fields.

Is it possible to amend the Word Document and re-upload, so that all the forms stay where they are and appear over the top of the new Word Document?

Or is it possible to edit the text of the form?

Thanks,

Report · Dec 30, 2016

Did you create the form with Acrobat? Acrobat will allow you to replace pages in a PDF file while leaving the form fields in place. A feature that saves me time when completing a form that has a hundred fields when a find a typo that I need to correct.

Report · Feb 01, 2017

Hi Michael,

No unfortunately, I will try to do it using Adobe Acrobat rather than using Adobe Sign.

Thanks, good idea,

Ben

Report · Feb 02, 2017

Adobe Sign has the ability to take your existing library template, and save it as a form field overlay template. Then you can upload the new .doc and apply the field overlay.

As long as the content in the .doc is structurally the same (or close) all you should then have to do is tweak the field placement so it all lines up as you expect. You would obviate the need to manually create all new fields.

To do this, you will need to be the owner of the original document. If you are, then on your Manage tab, you will have an edit link available for the library document.

Clicking the edit link will open the document in the Authoring environment.
Click the Show Properties link at the top of the page (for the classic view) or the Template Properties drop-down in the right rail (for the new experience).
Set the Template type to Both (or check both boxes. The goal is to have a form field layer).
Save your changes (And remember the name of the template).
Then upload your new .doc as a new template. Name it something unique to avoid version confusion.
When the document loads into the Authoring environment, open the Templates option in the upper-left corner of the window.
Select your form field layer template from the Field Templates drop-down menu, and click Apply.
The field layer will be applied to the new document.
Adjust any fields that need to be re-aligned
Save the new template

This process in no way damages the existing library document, and if the field placement is identical to the previous .doc, the overlay should align very closely.

Report · Mar 29, 2017

I understand your comments, but I cannot find the Templates option described in #6. I have a document with no fields and a previously uploaded document being used as a field overlay, but I cannot add it to the new document. Please assist.

Report · May 19, 2017

I cannot find the templates option described in #6 as well... Very frustrating

Report · Oct 27, 2017

Anyone figure this out?

Report · Nov 28, 2017

Is this overlay feature only available for adobe Sign enterprise/business account? SMH.

Report · Dec 13, 2017

I am guessing this is the case Charles. Very frustrating.

Report · Jan 07, 2022

THANK YOU!! This process worked perfectly for me. I used an existing template and saved it as the form field template. I then modified my original document and was able to add in the fields using the template I just created!! Before creating the form field template, I didn't have the option in the top left corner, which may be the issue people below are having.

Report · May 04, 2023

3. Set the Template type to Both (or check both boxes. The goal is to have a form field layer).

This doesn't exist on my version. I called and they said I needed to have "enterprise" to get this feature. Apparently, 359.00 per year isn't enough money to acquire this small feature. This ONLY AFTER being on hold has passed around like the last joint in a rehab clinic. Thanks adobe!!

Report · Aug 11, 2023

So, like other replies, I too have not paid Adobe enough $$$ to have the form field layer functionality, though it's available through all steps until #6 wherein I find that the "Templates" option is not present in the upper left corner. I don't understand why this simple, critical functionality is not available. We DO have the Enterprise license and I have no idea why this does not work. Time for another helpdesk ticket to waste a bunch of our operations manager's time. Yippee!

Report · Aug 13, 2023

Hi Benjamin30385535r5zq,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with Acrobat Sign.

Please refer to the steps suggested in the following help document: https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/using/transfer-fields-to-new-template.html.

If you experience issues, I suggest you, please get in touch with our Adobe Sign Enterprise support team to get this checked. You may contact them using the steps in the following help document: https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/using/adobesign-support-resources.html.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

Report · Aug 13, 2023

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Report · Dec 11, 2024

Thank you so much! This saved me hours of replacing fields. The main point to remember is that the doc needs to remain in the same layout! Now I can update this particular template when needed and apply the overlay. Works like a charm!

Report · Aug 09, 2021

If you have access to the advanced form mechanics available to team, business and enterprise service levels, here is how to do it as of 2021.

Report · Nov 27, 2024

As of 2024:

First things first, get into the habit of setting the "Template Type" for new templates you create to "Both" (Reusable document and Reusable form field layer). If the template you are trying to update isn't a reusable form field layer this will not work!

Create a new template
Upload the new version of the underlying doc
Give the new template a name. I use the name of the old template with a version number
Set the template type to BOTH and continue
You should now be in the authoring window staring at your freshly uploaded doc, devoid of any fields. In the upper left-hand you'll see "Field Templates"
Select your old template from the list and hit apply. If you don't see your old template then you didn't originally save it as a Reusable form field layer.

The reason i always set the template type to both is because when i saved it only as a Reusable form field layer, i didn't see my fields when editing it. I probably only had to go to the drop-down and select itself, so to speak. But that's annoying. Saving it as both leaves the fields visible.