Locking a pdf Form

I created an application form with Adobe Acrobat Pro XI.  It has reguired fields that must be completed before submitting to ensure that basic information is completed.  However, I didn't lock it (protect it) to keep someone from changing the content, required fields, etc.  How can I lock the editing properties of the form, yet still enable the user to complete the fields?  Evidently, I have had a user save the file on their local computer before completing it and submitted without all of the required information.  This is what I am trying to control.  thanks.

You can protect PDF by applying password.
1. Open the PDF Form in Acrobat.
2. Go to File -> Properties -> Security (tab) -> Select Security Method as Password Security.
3. Then, under 'Permission' section select 'Restrict Editing ...' check box.
4. From 'Changes Allowed' dropdown select 'Filling in form fields and signing ...' option.
5. Put the change permission password and click 'ok'. It will again prompt to confirm the password and then save the document.
Now your users can fill the form fields but they cannot edit its content.

Similar Messages

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    If the user has Acrobat, not the free Reader, they could flatten the PDF form. If they only have Reader they can make the fields read only. They also might want to use a digital certificate to invisibly sign the PDF. Signing the PDF will add code to disclose if the PDF has been changed since it was signed.

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    It depends how secure they need to be. You could include a script in the form which sets the fields to be read-only when the form is submitted, but that can easily be bypassed (and may not be respected by third party PDF applications). Search this forum topic for examples, it's been asked many times before.
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  • PDF Form Security

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  • Locking a PDF from Editing once submitted

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  • PDF form has lock icon and I'm unable to view my information entered

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  • Are these things possible in PDF forms? Questions for the experts

    Hi,
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    I'm new to the whole PDF form creating and I’m wondering if certain things are possible. So I’m trying the experts in this form for a yes/no answer.
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    6) Can a drop-down lists be dynamic? Instead of hard coding the list, calling a web service to fill the values?
    Thanks in advance for any insight,
    Kind regards
    Ido

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    <answer> Yes
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    <answer> Yes
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    <answer> Yes
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    5) Possible to activate the print button after the form has been submitted?
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    Print button will be fine by now, probably also done by scripting
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    <answer> Yes but the form will require LiveCycle Reader Extensions if you are using Reader. Reader Extensions is not required if you are Acrobat.
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  • Multiple users signing the pdf form

    I have date fields in the pdf form in which the signed date is inserted when each user signs the form. Although the Digital Signature property in pdf provides date property on the signature image. But we have a business requirement to show date field separately on pdf form. Suppose User1 signs the application and the date is inserted in its corresponding date field. But when User2 signs the application and the date is inserted the signatures of User1 gets invalidated.
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    PDF supports multiple signatures on a single form or document.  When using a form, you can use field collections to associate specific fields to a certain signature and lock those fields after signing, while leaving other fields accessible.  There are many posts throughout this forum that discusss this functionality, here is one...  http://forums.adobe.com/thread/769340
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    Steve

  • How can we use a pdf form multiple times for different people (students)?

    Our school created a pdf form of our report card but we are not able to "save as" the forms for use by multiple teachers for multiple students. Please advise.

    Just use Adobe Reader XI.  Adobe Reader XI allows for forms data saving but it does NOT allow for locking down that data.

  • Can you lock a pdf file?

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  • What are the security settings to lock down a form with fillable fields and yet allow someone with Reader to fill in the fields as will as save the form and print it?

    What are the security settings to lock down a form with fillable fields and yet allow someone with Reader to fill in the fields as will as save the form and print it?

    You want to allow someone to open your document and fill out the form (in the fields you have created), but not change or edit the form, right? Here's the answer - assuming you are using Acrobat Pro and someone will be opening the PDF using at least Acrobat Reader 9 and up:
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