Preview does not save option choices in PDF form

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Level 1

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Preview does not save option choices in PDF form

I have created a PDF form (using Libreoffice) that works perfectly with PDF Reader Pro Lite, but not with Apple's standard Preview program. I've also heard from Windows users that the form works well in their environment.

The problem occurs with radio buttons - all other editable fields work fine. When the PDF form is opened and edited with Preview, all looks fine. But when the file is saved, the options chosen via the radio buttons are lost. You can print the form before saving it and the choices are there. You can also print the form as another PDF file and the choices are there too (but that new PDF file is not editable).

Is this a bug or a feature of Preview?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 24, 2023 10:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,076 points

Aug 24, 2023 01:35 PM in response to welshterrier

If you can open that PDF and use it normally with the current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, then it would suggest that Preview does not handle all manner of PDFs or form types. LibreOffice 7.6.0 exports as PDF v1.7 now, and which of the following form types did you select in the LO export panel?

When I choose FDF, Preview opens a blank PDF. When I choose XML, Preview displays functional radio buttons. Still, this is no guarantee that Preview is designed to handle your particular PDF document.

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Preview does not save option choices in PDF form

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