Converting adobe xml forms back to normal pdf

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    Converting Adobe XML forms back to normal PDF

    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/td-p/1689237 Oct 20, 2008 Oct 20, 2008

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    I want to get rid of the XML Forms in my PDF and then save as regular PDF format so that I can merge files into single PDF.

    When I edit file in Designer and get rid of form elements, then save as PDF. I still can't combine files. I get error that says my file is still Adobe XML.

    Is there a way to save PDFs that still have forms in them as non-AdobeXML files?

    If not, how do I get rid of Forms and convert back into regular PDF that I can combine with othe PDFs into one single PDF?

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    1 Correct answer

    Explorer , Oct 20, 2008 Oct 20, 2008 _Aandi_Inston_ • Explorer , Oct 20, 2008 Oct 20, 2008

    Once you have gone to Designer, you are stuck there. There is no way
    to get that particular PDF back into Acrobat form. It no longer is a
    PDF form, it's XML in a PDF wrapper even if you remove all the form
    fields.

    You might be able to print to PDF from Acrobat to make a new,
    non-form, flat PDF.

    2 2 Upvotes 44 Replies 44

    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/1689238#M1894 Oct 20, 2008 Oct 20, 2008

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    Once you have gone to Designer, you are stuck there. There is no way
    to get that particular PDF back into Acrobat form. It no longer is a
    PDF form, it's XML in a PDF wrapper even if you remove all the form
    fields.

    You might be able to print to PDF from Acrobat to make a new,
    non-form, flat PDF.

    2 2 Upvotes Community guidelines

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    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/11411183#M70295 Sep 04, 2020 Sep 04, 2020

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    Unfortunately you can not print to PDF any longer. You get a message that says "saving a PDF while printing is not supported. Instead choose File > Save. "

    But then if you try to save it, the file is either the exact same XML PDF or if you do something like Optimize, it will say "This file contains an Adobe XML form. Such files cannot be optimized."

    As far as I can tell there is no way to "flatten" an XML-based PDF file. The only thing I could do is to literally print it out and then scan it back in. Extremely frustrating.

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    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/12702831#M87937 Jan 24, 2022 Jan 24, 2022

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    I was having this same issue and printed the file as a PDF and was then able to insert the file into a combine PDF.

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    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/12709211#M88032 Jan 26, 2022 Jan 26, 2022

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    that only works on a PC. if you have a Mac, it will not let you print a PDF to PDF, it will only let you save it. it's the most glaring issue for Adobe Macbook users, IMO.

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    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/13961122#M101184 Jul 25, 2023 Jul 25, 2023

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    I used the 'Preview' function in Finder and was able to print to pdf that way.

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    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/1689239#M1895 Oct 20, 2008 Oct 20, 2008

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    Printing to PDF worked.

    I'm suprised they don't have a function built into Acrobat Professional that won't revert document to non-AdobeXML format.

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    Community Beginner ,

    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/1689240#M1896 Mar 13, 2014 Mar 13, 2014

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    I know this was a long time ago, but I am trying ot do the same thing but mine is not working. Did you do something special to your adobe print settings? When I print to pdf and try to open it is saying that the file is corrupt?

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    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/1689241#M1897 Mar 13, 2014 Mar 13, 2014

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    - which system you have

    - which version of Acrobat (NOT Reader)

    - step by step, how you print to PDF?

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    Community Beginner ,

    /t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/converting-adobe-xml-forms-back-to-normal-pdf/m-p/1689242#M1898 Mar 13, 2014 Mar 13, 2014

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    Sorry, I am using Adobe Acrobat Pro 9.0. I created the form in Live Cycle and the way I would like it to work is the first user fills out some info, signs it and sends along to a few others to sign off on. At the last signature I want it to lock and the user be able to either use the print button which I trigger a convert function to make flat (not sure if you can do?) or they print to file so they can merge with another regular pdf document. The steps I am using right now to test: I open the file, fill out all, sign and save; open the signed copy and print to file; save it as a .pdf. It thens says it is corrupt when I try to open. Not sure if the problem is in my form settings or print settings?

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