Elise Williams
2021-03-26 20:17:52 • Filed to: How-To • Proven solutions
A read-only PDF simply means that users can open and view the file and its contents but cannot manipulate or edit the PDF in any way. While the question of how to make PDF read-only is easy enough to answer, it does require special tools to apply such a permission restriction. To create a read-only PDF for offline or online use, we recommend using PDFelement, a robust PDF editor with a wide range of functionality that includes PDF security in the form of password-based PDF encryption and the ability to set two types of passwords. One is for accessing the file and the second, which is relevant to this article, is to set a permission restriction to generate a read-only PDF file. Let’s look at the process of how to save a PDF as read-only so users can’t edit it or make any other changes.
How to Make PDF Read Only
The following shows three simple steps to lock a PDF file for editing using PDFelement, while the final step shows you how to unlock the file so it can be edited by any PDF editor. Let’s begin.
Step 1: Import PDFВ
The first step is to import a PDF file into PDFelement. This is easily done with a drag-and-drop motion or using the “Open File” option in the main welcome window. Once the file is open, click the “Protect” tab at the top of the window and then the “Set Password” button in the toolbar.
Step 2: Set a Permission Password for the PDF
When you see the “Security” window, check the box for “Permission Password” and set a password. The dropdown menus of the “Change Permission” will allow you to choose what type of restrictions you want to apply and what actions are allowed. Set the parameters and click on “Save”. The restrictions will be applied and only someone who has the permission’s password will be able to unlock the restrictions.
Note: please don’t set the “Open Password”, as if you set the open password, others will have to enter the password to open the document, and it will be unreadable.
Step 3: Save the PDF as Read-Only
The final step is to save the file to a chosen location, which can be the local drive or a cloud storage account. Just click “File” > “Save As” to see the options.
Once the file is saved, you can check its properties to see what restrictions have been enabled. Also, click “File” and then “Properties” > “Security”.
Step 4: How to Remove Read-Only Restrictions in PDF
After the above steps, the PDF file will be read-only. If others want to edit the file, they will need to click “Enable Editing” and then enter the set Permission password and click “OK” when attempting to edit the file.
Another Way to Make PDF Read Only
If you don’t want to apply such granular restrictions but merely want a version of your PDF file where the content can’t be changed, all you need to do is convert it into an image file. You can do that in PDFelement as well. Here are the steps.
- 1. Open the file in PDFelement as shown in Step 1 above.
- 2. In the “Convert” tab, click on the “To Image” button. This will convert the PDF to JPG or any image format you pick.
- 3. Click “Save” to convert the file and save it with the same name so you know the source of the content. The .jpg or .png file extension will prevent it from overwriting your original PDF.
The output file is now an image that can be shared. To make a PDF read-only online or to convert a PDF to read-only online, you can use a reliable web application like HiPDF. The above process describes how to make a PDF read-only using PDFelement. This powerful PDF editor has several other functions that have been outlined below.
- Complete PDF editing capability: Edit any PDF element including text, images, hyperlinks, objects, embedded media, comments, annotations, watermarks, headers, footers, backgrounds, and other components.
- Create, convert: Creating PDF from other files and converting PDF to other formats is as simple as a one-click action. The powerfully accurate conversion engine ensures the integrity of data layout, formatting, and other attributes.
- Annotate, fill, sign: Comprehensive review and commenting tools, form-filling, and digital signatures. Robust suite of forms management functions including data extraction, form conversion from non-editable formats to PDF, and much more.
- PDF protection: Strong encryption can be added to PDFs, as well as restrictions on editing, copying, and printing. In addition, content can be redacted for confidentiality purposes. Encryption is also available as a bulk or batch process so you can lock or restrict hundreds of documents together.
- Advanced functions: Batch Process, OCR, form field recognition, and redaction are just some of the advanced features.
As you can see, PDFelement can not only help you make a PDF read-only but gives you all the tools you need to manage your document workflows in a seamless and effortless manner. It is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and each of these products is designed to be in line with each platform’s respective design and usability themes.
某些 Creative Cloud 应用程序、服务和功能在中国不可用。
| Create a form | Import or scan a form | Distribute form | Track form | PDF Forms Help |
This document explains how to fill PDF forms using Acrobat or Reader desktop application.
For more information on creating, distributing, and tracking PDF forms, click the appropriate link above.
Quickly fill and sign any PDF form online.
Is the form fillable?
Not all forms are fillable. Sometimes form creators don’t convert their PDFs to interactive fillable forms. Or, they intentionally design a form that you can fill in only by hand or with the Fill & Sign tool. These non-interactive forms are called flat forms.
Fill in interactive forms
An interactive form contains fields that you can select or fill in.
If necessary, right-click the document, and select either the Hand Tool or the Select Tool from the pop-up menu.
The pointer changes to a different icon as you move it over a field. For example, the Hand tool changes to an I-beam when you can type text into the form field. Some text fields are dynamic, meaning that they automatically resize to accommodate the amount of data you enter and can span across pages.
(Optional) To make form fields easier to identify, click the Highlight Existing Fields button on the document message bar. Form fields appear with a colored background (light blue by default), and all required form fields are outlined in another color (red by default).
When finished, click the submit button to either send the data to a server or create an email to send the data. The submit button can appear in the purple message bar at the top of the form or in the form content.
For troubleshooting tips on completing forms, see Troubleshooting forms.
Fill in flat forms with the Fill & Sign tools
A flat form does not have interactive fields. However, you can use the Fill & Sign tools to add text and other symbols anywhere on the form. For instructions, see Fill out your PDF form.
Fill in flat forms in a browser
A common way to view a PDF form is in a web browser, for example, when you click a link on a website. If the form does not contain interactive fields, you can use the Fill & Sign tools to fill out the form. Save the form on your computer, and then open it directly in Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. For instructions, see Fill out your PDF form.
Options for working in forms
Tab or Shift+Tab
Accepts typing and moves to next field
Selects previous radio button in a group
Selects next radio button
Reject and deselect form field.
Esc (press twice)
Exits Full Screen mode
Enter or Return (single-line text field)
Accepts typing and deselects field
Enter or Return (multiline text field)
Creates paragraph return in same form field
Enter or Return (check box)
Turns check box on or off
Accepts typing and deselects current form field
Auto-Complete forms (interactive forms only)
The Auto-Complete feature stores any entries that you type in an interactive form field. Auto-Complete then suggests or even automatically enters responses that match your typing in other form fields. The suggestions appear in a pop-up menu, from which you can select a match. The Auto-Complete feature is off by default, so you must enable it in the forms preferences if you want to use it.
To remove an entry from the Auto-Complete memory, such as a misspelled entry that you found and corrected later, edit the list in the preferences.
The forms preferences apply to the way the application handles open forms as you work. The preferences aren’t saved with the PDF forms themselves.
Learn how you can extend the rights of a PDF to allow users to save form data in earlier versions of Adobe Reader.
By Adobe August 20, 2015
Ordinarily, users of Adobe Reader X and earlier can’t save filled-in copies of forms they complete unless the form has been reader-extended. Forms can be reader-extended using Acrobat Pro. In addition, Acrobat Pro users can also include more capabilities for Reader users, such as adding text to non-interactive forms.
Note: Unlike earlier versions of Reader, Reader XI and Acrobat Reader DC include both the Add Text tool and the ability to save form data. Acrobat DC users can type in non-fillable forms, add comments, and digitally sign PDFs without extending special rights.
Follow these steps to reader-extend a PDF file:
- Open the PDF document.
- Choose File > Save As Other > Reader Extended PDF, and choose one of the following options:
- Enable Commenting & Measuring In Acrobat Pro DC, this feature allows Reader users to add comments or access the Object Data, Measuring, and Geospatial tools.
- Enable More Tools (includes form fill-in & save) This allows users to save data they’ve entered in interactive or fillable forms.
Introduction: Save Online Fill-In Forms As PDF
It’s happened to all of us.
You’re filling in a form online to submit to somewhere important (maybe for school, a job, etc), and when you get done and you’re ready to email it. there’s no “submit” button! Even worse–to your horror–you find that when you save it, it saves the BLANK form. Oh no! Hours down the drain! What can you do!?
You can print it, then either snail mail it, or scan it back into your computer and attach the file to your email and send it that way. (No. too much trouble!)
OR. you can save it as a PDF to your computer and easily email it on its merry way 🙂 (Yes! The perfect solution!)
Step 1: Fill-In Your Form
If you’re reading this, you may already have done this step. If not, get to it! 🙂
Step 2: Ctrl + P
Now, it’s time to “print” it. Click “ctrl” and “P” at the same time to bring up the print screen.
Step 3: Psych! Save It to PDF
1. Click “Change” under “Destination.”
2. Under “Local Destinations,” select “Save as PDF.”
3. Now your “Destination” should read “Save as PDF” on the main print screen. (As in the last picture.)
Step 4: Rename the File
1. In the “File Name” bar, type in your new title for the document.
Step 5: Retrieve Your File
When you’re ready to add it as an attachment to your email, it will be in your Documents under the name you saved it under.
As you can see in the last picture, it saved as a PDF, and can also be retrieved through Adobe.
Pretty simple, huh!? This will save you time, headaches, and stress! Share this information with a friend, too 🙂
Be the First to Share
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
Introduction: Save Online Fill-In Forms As PDF
It’s happened to all of us.
You’re filling in a form online to submit to somewhere important (maybe for school, a job, etc), and when you get done and you’re ready to email it. there’s no “submit” button! Even worse–to your horror–you find that when you save it, it saves the BLANK form. Oh no! Hours down the drain! What can you do!?
You can print it, then either snail mail it, or scan it back into your computer and attach the file to your email and send it that way. (No. too much trouble!)
OR. you can save it as a PDF to your computer and easily email it on its merry way 🙂 (Yes! The perfect solution!)
Step 1: Fill-In Your Form
If you’re reading this, you may already have done this step. If not, get to it! 🙂
Step 2: Ctrl + P
Now, it’s time to “print” it. Click “ctrl” and “P” at the same time to bring up the print screen.
Step 3: Psych! Save It to PDF
1. Click “Change” under “Destination.”
2. Under “Local Destinations,” select “Save as PDF.”
3. Now your “Destination” should read “Save as PDF” on the main print screen. (As in the last picture.)
Step 4: Rename the File
1. In the “File Name” bar, type in your new title for the document.
Step 5: Retrieve Your File
When you’re ready to add it as an attachment to your email, it will be in your Documents under the name you saved it under.
As you can see in the last picture, it saved as a PDF, and can also be retrieved through Adobe.
Pretty simple, huh!? This will save you time, headaches, and stress! Share this information with a friend, too 🙂
Be the First to Share
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
Elise Williams
2021-03-11 09:59:44 • Filed to: How-To • Proven solutions
Obtaining data from a PDF enables you to organize and rearrange the data on your computer efficiently. Then you may wonder how do I extract data from a PDF file? In this guide, you’ll learn three different ways to extract data from PDF with PDFelement.
Method 1: Extract PDF Data with PDFelement
Step 1. Open a PDF form
Drag and drop a PDF form in the program to open it directly. You can also use the “Open files” button. From there, you can browse through the PDF forms on your computer to find and upload the appropriate file.
Step 2. Extract data from PDF
Once the PDF form is open in the program, click on the “Form” > “More” button, and then select the “Extract Data” option.
Step 3. Start the PDF data extraction process
A new dialogue window will appear. You canВ then select the option of “Extract data from form fields in PDF “. Then click “Apply” to proceed.
Step 4. Open the extracted Excel
Now, the program will extract data from your PDF form into a CSV file. When the process is complete, click on the “Open” button, and from there you will be able to find the data. If you don’t want the file saved in .csv format, you can open the extracted CSV file, and then re-save it as a .xlsx format Excel spreadsheet.
Method 2: Extract Data from PDF to Excel
Step 1. Import a PDF
You can upload the file by selecting the “Open files” button on the Home screen. You can then browse through your files, selecting the file you need, and upload it by clicking “Open”. You can also use the classic drag-and-drop function on either platform to import the file.
Step 2. Mark areas to extract
Once the file is open, click the “Tool” > “More” > ” Extract Data” button to activate the extraction process for your PDF file. Choose the option of “Extract data based on selection”, then followed the instructions in the pop-up windows to extract step-by-step.
Use your mouse to select the areas on the scanned PDF file containing the data that you want to extract. Use your cursor to name each selected data area. Then, enter the “Field Name” and select “Languages Recognition” to proceed. Finally, click the “Apply” button.
Step 3. Extract data from PDF to Excel
In the following Batch Process window, you can view the marked areas on the right side to make sure they are the correct areas that you want to extract. Then click the “Apply” button to begin extraction. The data from each selected area of the PDF file should be extracted all at once. When the process is completed, click “Open”. Then find the CSV file on your computer, open it, and re-save it to other formats as you wish. There is also another way to extract data from PDF to excel, which is converting PDF to excel with PDFelement.
Method 3: Extract Data from PDF to Excel in Batches
Step 1. Load multiple PDFs
After launching PDFelement, click the “Tool” > “Batch Process” button. Then you can select the “Extract Data” tab and load multiple PDF files in it.
Step 2. Extract data from multiple PDF files to Excel
Choose either mode of “Extract data from PDF form fields” or “Extract data from marked PDF” to extract data from multiple PDF files to excel directly. Then hit the “Apply” button to execute.
Video Tutorial on Extract Data from PDF
This video shows you a more detailed and direct tutorial on how to scan multiple pages into one PDF, and you can also get more videos about PDFelement from Wondershare Video Community.
Why Choose PDFelement to Extract Data from PDF Forms
PDFelement is built with data extraction functionalities that allow you to extract data from a single PDF form, or multiple PDF forms with just one click. Plus, with PDFelement you will be able to create PDF forms, edit PDF forms, import data into PDF forms, and sign them digitally with electronic signatures.
- Perform batch processing of bates numbering and watermarks, conversion, protection, and form data extraction.
- Annotate, comment on, highlight, and draw markups on your PDF.
- Make any change to text or images in a PDF without losing formatting.
- Includes an OCR plug-in that recognizes image-based files and makes them editable.
- Convert PDF files to or from other popular formats like Word, Excel, EPUB, PowerPoint, HTML and others.
- Rotate pages, delete pages, insert blank pages, extract pages, and crop pages.
Learn how to use Acrobat 8 to enable extended rights so Reader users can save filled-in copies of forms they complete.
By Kurt Foss February 11, 2007
One of the most-often-requested features from Acrobat users has been for an easy way to allow end users to save data entered into PDF forms. While there have been a variety of workarounds, and eventually a commercial server-based solution (Reader Extensions), it wasn’t a reality for the majority of users . until Acrobat 8.0 Professional. Acrobat 8 now allows the enabling of extended rights so Reader users can save filled-in copies of forms they complete.
This is the message a Reader user typically would see when opening a form, reminding them that entered data can’t be saved with the form.
Here’s how to Reader-enable the same form:
1. Choose Advanced > Enable User Rights In Adobe Reader.
2. Review the instructions that appear–noting that other extended rights that can be enabled for Reader users include the ability to add comments, use the Typewriter tool and digitally sign the PDF–and then click Save Now.
Now when a Reader user opens this enabled form, they will see a different message explaining that data entered into the form may be saved back into the form. (In addition, form data can also be submitted directly back to a server, or exported to a separate file from Adobe Reader for return via e-mail, ftp and so on.)
NOTE: These extended privileges are limited to the current PDF. When you create a different PDF form, you must perform this task again if you want to enable Reader users to save their own filled-in copies of that PDF.
某些 Creative Cloud 应用程序、服务和功能在中国不可用。
| Create a form | Import or scan a form | Distribute form | Track form | PDF Forms Help |
This document explains how to fill PDF forms using Acrobat or Reader desktop application.
For more information on creating, distributing, and tracking PDF forms, click the appropriate link above.
Quickly fill and sign any PDF form online.
Is the form fillable?
Not all forms are fillable. Sometimes form creators don’t convert their PDFs to interactive fillable forms. Or, they intentionally design a form that you can fill in only by hand or with the Fill & Sign tool. These non-interactive forms are called flat forms.
Fill in interactive forms
An interactive form contains fields that you can select or fill in.
If necessary, right-click the document, and select either the Hand Tool or the Select Tool from the pop-up menu.
The pointer changes to a different icon as you move it over a field. For example, the Hand tool changes to an I-beam when you can type text into the form field. Some text fields are dynamic, meaning that they automatically resize to accommodate the amount of data you enter and can span across pages.
(Optional) To make form fields easier to identify, click the Highlight Existing Fields button on the document message bar. Form fields appear with a colored background (light blue by default), and all required form fields are outlined in another color (red by default).
When finished, click the submit button to either send the data to a server or create an email to send the data. The submit button can appear in the purple message bar at the top of the form or in the form content.
For troubleshooting tips on completing forms, see Troubleshooting forms.
Fill in flat forms with the Fill & Sign tools
A flat form does not have interactive fields. However, you can use the Fill & Sign tools to add text and other symbols anywhere on the form. For instructions, see Fill out your PDF form.
Fill in flat forms in a browser
A common way to view a PDF form is in a web browser, for example, when you click a link on a website. If the form does not contain interactive fields, you can use the Fill & Sign tools to fill out the form. Save the form on your computer, and then open it directly in Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. For instructions, see Fill out your PDF form.
Options for working in forms
Tab or Shift+Tab
Accepts typing and moves to next field
Selects previous radio button in a group
Selects next radio button
Reject and deselect form field.
Esc (press twice)
Exits Full Screen mode
Enter or Return (single-line text field)
Accepts typing and deselects field
Enter or Return (multiline text field)
Creates paragraph return in same form field
Enter or Return (check box)
Turns check box on or off
Accepts typing and deselects current form field
Auto-Complete forms (interactive forms only)
The Auto-Complete feature stores any entries that you type in an interactive form field. Auto-Complete then suggests or even automatically enters responses that match your typing in other form fields. The suggestions appear in a pop-up menu, from which you can select a match. The Auto-Complete feature is off by default, so you must enable it in the forms preferences if you want to use it.
To remove an entry from the Auto-Complete memory, such as a misspelled entry that you found and corrected later, edit the list in the preferences.
The forms preferences apply to the way the application handles open forms as you work. The preferences aren’t saved with the PDF forms themselves.
Ivan Cook
Dec 23,2020 • Filed to: PDF Form
When it comes to converting PDFs to a fillable form, the first tool you may consider is Adobe Acrobat. However, this method can be complicated for beginners and may lead to problems or challenges. PDFelement is the best alternative solution for you to convert PDF to a fillable form on both Windows and Mac systems. Here, we cover 3 easy methods to convert PDF into fillable form, including PDFelement (or PDFelement for Mac), Adobe, and online.
Method 1. Convert PDF to Fillable Form Using PDFelement
PDFelement can quickly turn PDF into a fillable form. It supports to convert PDF to fillable forms automatically and manually. Here, you can know how to use PDFelement to convert PDF to fillable form within several steps.
Step 1: Open the PDF Form
After you download the program, click ‘Open File‘ to browse for the PDF you want to import into the program, or drag and drop PDF files to open it.
Step 2: Convert PDF to Fillable Form
If PDF files include non-fillable form elements such as text filed, tables, checkbox, you can click “Form” > “Form Recognition” to convert to fillable PDF automatically.
If there are no any non-fillable form elements and you want to create one PDF fillable form, you can go to the ‘Form‘ tab and click on the icon of ‘Text Field‘ “Add CheckBox“, “Add Radio Button“, and so on to convert PDF to fillable PDF form manually.
Note: This powerful PDF editor also allows you to export or import PDF form data to save PDF form data or fill PDF forms.
Step 3: Save Fillable PDF Form
Click “File” > “Save As” to save PDF fillable form after conversion.
Method 2. Convert PDF to Fillable Form with Adobe Acrobat
To convert your PDFs into a fillable form using Adobe Acrobat, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open PDF on Adobe Acrobat
First, open Adobe Acrobat. Click the ‘Tools pane in the top right corner of the program, find ‘Prepare Form‘, and click ‘Open‘ to choose the file you’d like to convert. And then choose ‘Start‘ to prepare the form.
Step 2: Convert a PDF to Fillable Form
Acrobat will automatically detect and create interactive form fields from the file you’ve uploaded if your PDF file with tables. You can quickly and easily edit the PDF form as you want.
Step 3: Create PDF fillable form.
If you open one PDF file without tables, you can create custom fields with adding “Text Field“,”Button“, “Check Box” etc. For creating a fillable PDF form from a blank document, click “Tool” > “Create PDF” > “Open” > “Blank Page“, then, come back to “Tool” > “Prepare Form” > “Open” > “Start” to create custom fillable PDF form.
Part 3. Convert PDF to Fillable Form Online for Free
Take PDFfiller as an example for you to convert PDF to a fillable form online, it is a very simple software to convert PDF to fillable form online for free. Here are the steps about how to succeed in converting PDF to fillable form online.
Step 1: Open the Website to Convert PDF to Fillable Form Free
Visit Look for the option that says “Browse your Documents” and then click on it.
Step 2: Upload the File
Once you click on “Browse your Documents“, you will be directed to your computer to choose the PDF file that you want to convert to a fillable form and upload it. Wait for the file to load.
Step 3: Create Your Customized Form
When the PDF file finishes loading, you should see “Done” in the top-right part of the window that will come up. You will also see a lot of editing features that you can use to fill out your PDF document. Edit the document accordingly and then save it.
Conclusion
This article provides you 3 different ways to convert PDF to a fillable form. You can use the tools that mentioned in the article to reach your aim online and offline. Though online editors is convenient for you if you seldom deal PDF process. If you often work with PDF document and want to enjoy more wonderful functions, you can have a try of PDFelement (or PDFelement for Mac).
