Data entered into PDF using Preview doesn't show up in Acrobat

[sxschech]

I entered data on an Acrobat Form using Preview (Snow Leopard) at home. When I opened the file at work using Adobe Acrobat Pro V9 on a windows computer, the fields appeared blank. However, when I clicked in a field, the data were there, but became invisible once again when I clicked on another field. The data also would not show up when printing a hard copy. I then went to a Mac and double clicked on the file, it opened up in the default app which was Adobe Acrobat reader, same thing happened, meaning that it wasn't a windows issue. I then opened the file up on this other mac under preview and was able to see and print out all the data. Anyone have an idea how I can keep the data visible or would I have to use acrobat pro rather than preview to enter the data so that other people who don't have preview can see the information?

 

[spamjim]

You don't necessarily need Acrobat Pro for PDF forms. However, Mac's Preview is going too far in the wrong direction. You should be using at least Adobe Reader.

 

[sxschech]

If I understand your response, I should enter data using Adobe rather than preview in the future in order to be able to see the results on computers that don't have preview. Reason I used preview was because when I double clicked the pdf, that is what the file opened in and when I noticed that I could type data onto the form, I thought great, I don't have to print it out and write on it. Next time, I need to fill out a form I will use open with Adobe rather than double click and open with preview. Thanks.

 

[fisheromacse]

not an answer as such, but still relevant.

http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/cedhelp/knowledgebase.php?article=16

 

[sxschech]

Thanks. I'll give that a try over the weekend...

 

[SYQUEST]

I have had various results with Preview vs Adobe Reader in regards to PDF Forms files. Depending on the file version of Abobe used to save the PDF, there are issues in saving a copy of a filled-in PDF. I use both Adobe 5.0.5 and 7.1.1 of Reader, and save the "new" or "filled-in" PDF thru the PRINT function of Preview, via Adobe, but NOT the file save of Adobe! That has worked for me, especially with the state and IRS tax forms, you get various versions of PDF fill-in files from the government.

....JIM....

 

[spamjim]

Next time, I need to fill out a form I will use open with Adobe rather than double click and open with preview.

You can probably right-click the PDF file icon to choose the program to open it with.

 

[SYQUEST]

That depends if your MAC has a right-click, and what version of OS10 you are running. Mine is a PBG4 with 10.4.11!

....JIM....

 

[spamjim]

In absence of a 2-button mouse, one can control-click the file icon to bring up the same contextual menu.

I'm no fan of one-button mice or laptops. We should all have at least one hand free.

 

[sxschech]

Realized I hadn't gotten back. Thanks for the suggestion to edit the document in Acrobat directly, that seems to have kept what I typed. Interestingly, when I typed into the phone number field, it actually formatted for me (xxx) xxx-xxxx, which I wasn't expecting since in preview, it only displayed exactly what I typed xxx-xxx-xxxx. Also on the open with issue, I was doing that by right clicking on the file and choosing the open with Adobe Acrobat.