Can't modify or annotate PDF files with Preview.app

Question

Can't modify or annotate PDF files with Preview.app

I am using macOS 10.15.3 (Catalina) on a MacBook Pro with its current Preview application. I cannot save a PDF that I have modified or annotated. Here's what I have seen:

Open a PDF, use Tools -> Annotate -> Signature to add my previously-saved signature. The signature appears as expected, but I see the following:

the document name changes to the original document name followed by "copy"

this warning (below) that says, "The original document can't be changed, so a duplicate with your changes has been created."

and a message "...this document could not be autosaved."

Next I choose File -> Save, and see this message:

The document "original-document-name copy" could not be saved as "original-document-name copy.pdf"

I was able to File -> Export as PDF... and save the file.

Is this the normal/expected behavior? Thanks.

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 12, 2020 6:31 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

AntonioEsteban Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 12, 2020 7:08 AM in response to AntonioEsteban

Answering my own question:

I worked around this by opening the original document, then choosing File -> Export as PDF... and saving as a different filename. The resulting file appears to work as expected.

My supposition is that there is some voodoo PDF permission/locking/stunt in the original file (that my bank placed on the file) that prevented Preview from operating on it.

<rant>

It would be really helpful if Catalina's Preview would suggest "The original file cannot be modified. Export it as a PDF to remove the voodoo cruft and use it a you wish."

</rant>

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Answer 2

Apr 12, 2020 7:12 AM in response to AntonioEsteban

AntonioEsteban wrote:

<rant>

It would be really helpful if Catalina's Preview would suggest "The original file cannot be modified. Export it as a PDF to remove the voodoo cruft and use it a you wish."

</rant>

Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback

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Answer 3

Apr 12, 2020 6:55 AM in response to AntonioEsteban

This is not atypical behavior—It depends on who authored the PDF, the software used to create the PDF, permissions set on the pdf, etc.

Not all PDF are created equal

Don't fight the situation, you can try a true PDF editor, for example:

Adobe Acrobat Reader

PDFpen

pdfExpert

to name just a few.

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Answer 4

Apr 12, 2020 7:22 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks for the speedy response. But as I said in my answer to my own question, Export as PDF... solved my trouble. I bet there are times when one of the real PDF editors will be the better solution, though. Thanks again.

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Can't modify or annotate PDF files with Preview.app

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