I've created a fillable PDF document in XI Pro. I need to change the body of the document and create a new fillable PDF document. When I do that it won't let me create a new PDF. It keeps saying "no new fields recognized. What can I do to redo my documen

Question

I've created a fillable PDF document in XI Pro. I need to change the body of the document and create a new fillable PDF document. When I do that it won't let me create a new PDF. It keeps saying "no new  fields recognized. What can I do to redo my document with the changes in the text, but no changes in the fillable fields?

Answer 1

You start with a source / authoring file for the "static" content (e.g., Name, Last:). Say this is an MS Word file.
You master the "static" content..
You keep this authoring file and have a backup of this file.
You output a PDF and use Acrobat to build and fine tune the "form" (form = the form fields, not the "static" content).
The authoring file  and output PDF (with form fields) gives you "rev 00".
Now, you must change something in the "static" content.
Open the authoring file and save as to a new version (e.g., "wordfile_v00"  becomes "wordfile_v01).
Output this to "pdffile_v01".
Use Acrobat to open the PDF form file "pdffile_v00". Save As to a new file name ("pdffile_v00update").
Using Acrobat XI Pro the click-path Tools - Pages - Replace lets you replace a page or pages of "pdffile_v00update" with a page or pages from "pdffile_v01".
This replaces the "static" PDF page content and does not affect the form fields on the page.
(you may have to adjust position of form fields)
Save "pdffile_v00update" to "pdffile_v01" to reflect the revised status of the PDF form file.
Be well...