Turning off Auto Field Detect on Adobe Sign

Report · Nov 16, 2023

Hi,

I'm working on v23.6 and since I've upgraded Adobe has been auto detecting fields on my forms and I can't seem to stop this from happening. I mainly use for Adobe Sign and on the old version I used to click the box and Adobe would automatically fill it with a signature box. As you can see from the pic, this isnt happening now.

I saw another post advising Preferences, Forms, and toggling the Auto detect form fields but his hasn't worked.

Any suggestions?

Report · Jul 12, 2025

Thanks for the tip guys, I still have to switch to legacy for EVERY document I send as the auto-place fields are not accurate. Come on Adobe, you're better than this.

Report · Dec 14, 2024

I have been having the same issue. I right-clicked on one of the pre-filled text boxes and there was an option for "reset fields". I clicked on that and it removed all suggested fields. I hope this helps.

Report · Apr 07, 2025

It's almost 2 years later, and Adobe still has no interest in making their product usable. I will be submitting a request to my corporation to find a new e-sign service, as this is completely unacceptable.

I did find a work around that they haven't yet broken. Legacy mode now does it too, and I got a message Legacy mode is going away in a few weeks anyway.

The trick I just figured out is to open the document and do a "Print to PDF". When I opened it in Adobe Sign the completed page was just one image of the completed document and all I had to do was add the signature blocks at the bottom, instead of an hour fixing all the fields Adobe messed up, and removing all the extra fields. It is cumbersome, and now I have to have one extra file for everything I send out for signature.

I ONCE sent it out (the first time) with all of Adobe's extra fields and options because I didn't want to spend the time fixing all of that and had the client MAKE CHANGES after I sent it! If I had not caught it, it could have cost me untold amounts.

Report · Apr 16, 2025

I printed to file because that worked with legacy mode (and that is going away) but it doesn't work with the new version. it is very frustrating, especially since my company has some forms that have way too many blanks. The only work around I have found is to assign the fields to me so no one else can change them, but that sucks really bad when there are 50 of them I have to right click on. I switched to classic view so I could say don't place fields and the new view doesn't have this option. 😞

Report · May 07, 2025

I am taking some comfort in that I am not the only one dealing with this issue. The fact that this is a persistent problem is hugely frustrating. Running docs to be signed through PRINT to PDF does not work. Signature and info already filled out by one party still getting blocked out by the Auto-Place Field function. Really is absurd that this continues to be an issue with AdobeSign.

Report · May 15, 2025

If I mark each field as read-only for recipients, will that work? Yes, it's a pain because I have 100s of these lines, but I cn't think of another option. TIA!

Report · Jun 10, 2025

Apologies for the delay! I didn't realize I had responses until today.

I have done it where I change the fields to being assigned to me so they can't do anything.

Also, I found out if you have an enterprise account (not individual) the option can be shut off there to automatically put in the fields. I think I got our person to do that, but I am trying very hard just to do the workflows that have been set up so I don't have to bother with all of that. 🙂

Report · Apr 24, 2025

This is a nightmare. My documents are suddenly filled with unnecessary fields, and I can't delete them--when I click on a field and hit the trash icon, the field vanishes for a nanosecond and then comes right back. Also can't turn off the auto-populate feature.

In addition, our signature blocks include lines for signature, date, and name, but this new interface lumps them all together into one line. And those are just the biggest issues--far from the only ones.

My organization also offers an e-signature option through our contract management application. I've stuck with Adobe Sign because it was much easier to use. But this new interface is awful, and it looks like Adobe has no interest in fixing these issues, so I'll be using the other e-signature tool going forward.

Report · Apr 29, 2025

Yes, it is a nightmare when It comes to being professional, and you cant simple send a document to be simply signed. Followed step by step instructions to the letter signed in as an administrator, and it just happens over and over, very concerning, contracts that can be used against you because of adobe.

Report · Apr 29, 2025

Yes, I tried as well. Doesnt work. So unprofessional. Overlapping "auto-detection" of fields not to be signed.

Report · May 05, 2025

This is Andy, I have spoken to the reps that worked on Adobe Sign at a past Adobe Max.

This auto-place feature is creating more work for the users and adobe advocates like myself, since I can't use the old method any more, which was simpler and faster. This is frustrating my supervisors and others who have to get documents signed immediately due to end of the fiscal year budget deadlines. So Please revert back to the old method as soon as possible, or you may see a wave of Adobe Sign Subscription cancellations. Supervisors are looking for ways to save money, and I have advocates for other software signature solutions pushing for the Microsoft or Docusign solutions.
I don't know if you have new leadership trying to push these changes on consumers, but if this signature change goes bad, it could result in many talented Adobe Leaders and staff getting laid off since this is happening a lot in tech due to the current recession. I know there are many smart and talented Adobe staff, So I would hate to see this happen, and thus, I am asking you to revert back for our benefit and for yours.

Report · Aug 01, 2025

An Adobe Admin can turn off form field suggestions, but it will turn off for everybody.

Admin Console > Account Settings > Send Settings > Preview, postition signatures or add form fields > uncheck "Allow Acrobat Sign to suggest possible form fields within the document."

It worked for us!