- Language:
- Deutsch
- English
- Español
- Français
- Português
- Home
- Acrobat
- Discussions
- Can't edit fillable fields
Copy link to clipboard
I am trying to edit a PDF document that was converted to a fillable form but when I click on Edit PDF, it does not allow me to edit the boxes in blue below. Does anyone else have this problem? It only allows the bounding boxes on the left to be edited. It does not open up the right.
Thank you, I am not an expert in adobe and any help will be much appreciated.
General troubleshooting Community guidelines
Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
1 Correct answer
Community Expert , Dec 01, 2017 Dec 01, 2017 Thom Parker • Community Expert , Dec 01, 2017 Dec 01, 2017Are you filling in form fields, trying to modify a fillable form field, or editing page text?
It sounds like you are trying to modify a form field. In this case you need to go to Form Preparation mode. Select Prepare Form from the the main Tools listing.
1 1 Upvote 12 Replies 12 Community Expert , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/9479727#M77195 Nov 30, 2017 Nov 30, 2017
Copy link to clipboard
Do not use "Edit a PDF" to fill forms.
When you select "Edit PDF" tools in Acrobat Pro it puts acrobat into content editing mode. This is for modifying the text and graphics on the page, not the form fields.
Put Acrobat back into normal mode, i.e. where the hand is the main cursor. Then when the hand passes over a fillable field it changes to an i-beam or arrow cursor. Then you can click on the field to enter data.
Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScripting
2 2 Upvotes Community guidelines
Use the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and oftenBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Community Beginner , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/9479728#M77196 Dec 01, 2017 Dec 01, 2017Copy link to clipboard
Thank you Thom, I did what you said below but I need to change the font size and style and make the text wrap. I don’t see where this allows me to do that.
What am I doing wrong.
Community guidelinesBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Community Expert , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/9479729#M77197 Dec 01, 2017 Dec 01, 2017Copy link to clipboard
Are you filling in form fields, trying to modify a fillable form field, or editing page text?
It sounds like you are trying to modify a form field. In this case you need to go to Form Preparation mode. Select Prepare Form from the the main Tools listing.
Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScripting
1 1 Upvote Community guidelines
Use the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and oftenBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Community Beginner , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/9479730#M77198 Dec 08, 2017 Dec 08, 2017Copy link to clipboard
Yes Thom, I was editing a fillable form field and your information you gave was a great help. I was able to edit the fillable form field.
[ Mod: Personal information removed]
1 1 Upvote Community guidelinesBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Community Expert , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/9479731#M77199 Dec 09, 2017 Dec 09, 2017Copy link to clipboard
Hi Becky, Consider marking the question as answered, or at least my answer as helpful
Thom Parker - Software Developer at PDFScripting
Community guidelines
Use the Acrobat JavaScript Reference early and oftenBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
/t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/11338924#M269411 Aug 05, 2020 Aug 05, 2020Copy link to clipboard
I work for a police department and my supervisor asked me to make a modification to an interactive form by adding 3 more fields. When I tried what you said I got the message that "You cannot edit this file as a form due to its security settings." from Adobe Acrobat. We don't know who created this form and it was long before I or my supervisor worked here.
Community guidelinesBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Community Expert , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/11339415#M269450 Aug 05, 2020 Aug 05, 2020Copy link to clipboard
Can you post a screenshot of the Security tab of the file, under File - Properties?
Community guidelinesBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
/t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/11401102#M274125 Aug 31, 2020 Aug 31, 2020Copy link to clipboard
I'm sorry it's been so long since I am replying to your trying to help me with this.
Today while I was looking for that form inwhich to "post a screenshot of the Security tab of the file" I saw a form log which had the person's name who first created the form. It was our D/C who is in the same office as me. So I asked him about the form. He created the form in Word 5 years ago and saved as a pdf so nobody could edit it. But he was able to edit the form in Word and re-save it as a pdf. So the problem is taken care of. Thanks for your help.
Community guidelinesBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Participant , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/14719239#M469685 Jul 04, 2024 Jul 04, 2024Copy link to clipboard
This doesn't work on mine (using Adobe acrobat on a mac with workbook with supposedly fillable form boxes) - I only see the arrow cursor in normal mode and it doesn't change as it moves over box. If I may say yet another example of something that is really simple being made stupidly complex by computer programmers who don't know what productivity means! (Especially Adobe). You shouldn't have to even think about how to fill in a box on a form - if you do it is a development fail for the programmers.
Community guidelinesBe kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting. Learn more
Community Expert , /t5/acrobat-discussions/can-t-edit-fillable-fields/m-p/14719313#M469688 Jul 04, 2024 Jul 04, 2024Copy link to clipboard
Then what you have is probably not a form field, but something else. If you could share the file we can help you further with this.
