Cannot edit pdf document

We have a workaround for this problem. Hopefully it will work in your scenario.

Print the PDF using "Adobe PDF". Edit this newly created PDF instead of the original one.

1. Go to File -> Print. (Ctrl + P)

2. Select "Adobe PDF" as the printer.

3. Click Print. Save to any desired location when prompted.

4. Open the new PDF.

Let me know if that helps.

/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070063#M20739 Apr 20, 2015 Apr 20, 2015

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It sounds like you're opening your PDF files in Acrobat Reader DC, which doesn't allow you to edit PDF files (that requires Acrobat Pro or Standard). When you click Edit PDF in the right column, you should be prompted to subscribe to Acrobat Pro DC, if you haven't already (I don't see an Acrobat subscription tied to the Adobe ID that you use here in the forums).

You do mention that you've been able to edit a few PDFs. Can you please tell me how you are editing those? Are you adding comments, or clicking the Edit PDF option in the right column?

If you continue to receive errors in Reader, you may consider reinstalling it. However, will you still need an active Acrobat subscription (or the classic--non-subscription--version of Acrobat to edit files).

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070064#M20740 Apr 20, 2015 Apr 20, 2015

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i am opening pdf files in dc and i do click edit pdf in the right column i am subscribed under the free 30 day trial to see how your software works with my buisness needs i tried repairing the software and i have been able to edit a few pdfs using the right hand column as well but for the some i have trouble with i am getting the error no matter what i do

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070065#M20741 Apr 20, 2015 Apr 20, 2015

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Since you have the Acrobat Pro DC 30-day trial, please try opening that to edit your PDFs (rather than opening them in Reader, and clicking the Edit PDF button).

If you search your computer, you should have both an Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and and Adobe Acrobat Pro application. They can coexist, but it does make things a little confusing.

If you want to evaluate Acrobat Pro DC, it's best that you open it directly. That way, you can get the real "lay of the land" with Acrobat before making any purchase decisions.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070066#M20742 Apr 21, 2015 Apr 21, 2015

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i have been opening them in dc not in reader here are some screenshots due to business confidentiality reasons i am unable to show my entire screen

no matter what i do re install adobe re download a new pdf its all the same error

no matter what i do re install adobe re download a new PDF its all the same i end up with this error

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070067#M20743 Apr 22, 2015 Apr 22, 2015

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Does this happen with all the files or with some of them? Do these files have anything in common like creator application, some unique fonts etc?

There are multiple reasons for this error to occur but it occurs only in the rarest of scenarios, most of it related to the fact that the PDF is not created properly.

In order to investigate further, we would need the PDF. I understand that most of your PDFs contains confidential content, but if possible, could you upload some sample PDFs to Acrobat Editing Issues so that we can have a look at it.

Acrobat Editing Team.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070068#M20744 Apr 22, 2015 Apr 22, 2015

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i honestly am not sure what is wrong i noticed it is with some pdf's regarding a certain brand that we carry i have sent you one of our pdf's that i have trouble editing via acrobat editing issues

thank you bilal

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070069#M20745 May 01, 2015 May 01, 2015

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i have still not heard response from anyone or anything regarding my pdf issue is there anyone who can help?

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070070#M20746 May 02, 2015 May 02, 2015

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We looked into the file that you sent and concluded that the file has not been properly created. This can also be seen using Preflight (Ctrl+Shift+X). Select "Report PDF syntax issues" under "PDF analysis" and click "Analyze".

We have noted down the issue and will try to fix it, if possible. No guarantees.

Unfortunately, till then, there isn't much that we can do here. We recommend you to recreate the PDF using some other creator.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070071#M20747 May 04, 2015 May 04, 2015

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thank you very much bilal I was not the one who created the pdf's these where sent to me however I will inform the person who sent them to me with your awnser I also was wondering because I haven't been fully able to use your trial for 30 days is it possible I can get some days reinstated please and thank you I still want to see what else this software can do before I make a purchase so far I was scared to use it but now I feel like you guys are always here to help me and you awnser my questions fairly quick I greatly appreciate it

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070072#M20748 May 04, 2015 May 04, 2015

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That's not possible.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070073#M20749 May 04, 2015 May 04, 2015

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oh that's fine I guess ill just try out the remaining days thank you

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070074#M20750 May 06, 2015 May 06, 2015

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We have a workaround for this problem. Hopefully it will work in your scenario.

Print the PDF using "Adobe PDF". Edit this newly created PDF instead of the original one.

1. Go to File -> Print. (Ctrl + P)

2. Select "Adobe PDF" as the printer.

3. Click Print. Save to any desired location when prompted.

4. Open the new PDF.

Let me know if that helps.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070076#M20752 Oct 27, 2015 Oct 27, 2015

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OK, so this work-around solution does indeed work.

However, why would this be necessary if Acrobat DC created my "offending" file in the first place from a web page? Acrobat DC creates non-standard PDF files, but printing them does not?

This does not exactly inspire confidence in the product.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070077#M20753 Oct 28, 2015 Oct 28, 2015

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Could you send in the following information to check what went wrong:

1. Snapshot of the document properties. (Open the PDF -> Press Ctrl+D).

2. The website link from where the file has been created.

3. Exact steps followed to create the PDF.

Also, if you could send the file as well, it would be great.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070078#M20754 Dec 20, 2015 Dec 20, 2015

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I just upgraded to Acrobat Pro but still can not use the edit PDF button. How do I get the program to recognize that I have upgraded?

[personal information removed by moderator]

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070079#M20755 Dec 20, 2015 Dec 20, 2015

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Did you download and install Acrobat? If so, make sure you open the file in it and not in Reader.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070080#M20756 Feb 11, 2016 Feb 11, 2016

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Hello I am having the same problem I cannot edit my pdf it takes me to the subscribe page but confirms i already pay £13.33. It then tells me i already have this and i end up going round in circles still not been able to edit the pdf please help I need this for work

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070081#M20757 Feb 12, 2016 Feb 12, 2016

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The same questions above apply to you. You must download, install and open Acrobat. It's not enough just to pay for it.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070090#M20766 Apr 27, 2016 Apr 27, 2016

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Your response and/or resolution is utter nonsense. I have tried every conceivable remedy to solve the same problem. Including and NOT limited to: opening in correct program; resaving under different file name; choosing the editing option; and finally, attempting to repair the program and reinstall. This to is a 30 trial program and no trouble editing OTHER forms. DOES THE TRIAL PROGRAM HAVE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF DOCS TO EDIT.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070091#M20767 Apr 28, 2016 Apr 28, 2016

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You haven't replied so far so we have no idea what your situation is or what the problem is. You mentioned a trial version. That is for Acrobat Pro . This discussion was about Acrobat Standard . Two very different things. So the replies above are not going to be relevant to your issue, whatever it might be.

And no, there's no limit on the number of documents you can edit using the trial version.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070075#M20751 Aug 26, 2015 Aug 26, 2015

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Hi Bilal, I was having the same problem and that worked perfectly, thank you very much!

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070082#M20758 Mar 15, 2016 Mar 15, 2016

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This workaround worked for me, and I was having the same problem when trying to edit pdf forms that I have been able to edit in the past. I was not opening in Reader and had set the default pdf application as Adobe Acrobat DC. Don't know why it is so buggy, even got the 30 day Foxit trial to see if I could fix the pdf edit problem there, but while they have people you can talk to and their support is way more responsive than Adobe, it didn't work either. I just happen to google the issue and got this thread by chance after looking on the Adobe support site for a few hours. Adobe is not great with support, you just have to get lucky with a random google search. IMO.

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/t5/acrobat-discussions/unable-to-edit-pdf-files-in-adobe-acrobat-dc/m-p/7070083#M20759 Mar 29, 2016 Mar 29, 2016

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I had the same issue where I received the same error message (" adobe acrobat dc has encountered an unknown error") when attempting to edit a PDF that was sent to me.

I used the website suggested within one of the other adobe communities forum threads http://www.identifont.com/‌ and was able to identify the font as 'Folio (BT)'. What a great site to use, good suggestion.

1. I followed the direction (by @Bilal Ansari) of printing to Adobe PDF (printing in the highest quality rather than standard).
2. The text became editable, though it was noted that the font wasn't available and a different font would be used. note the Format box has no font identified.
3. As I was unable to I modified the text using the same font, I used a similar font (in this case Arial).

Regarding the reason for the error message, I think the reason that the error occurs is due to the font not being in my font library. To add to this, it may also be an issue as 'Folio (BT)' is not within the Adobe Typekit font library. Either way, I believe this is the reason for the error message. maybe something for Adobe to look into and if I am correct, change the error message to say "unable to edit, font not available" or something to that effect.