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Preview (Leopard) and PDF forms
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desertmac
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
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Nov 20, 2007, 11:12 PM
 
I have encountered a strange behavior in Preview (10.5.1) with PDF forms. If you open a PDF form, fill it out and try to save it, you get a message saying "If you overwrite the original file some PDF attributes may be lost. Choose Save As . . . to save a copy instead." The Save button is changed to Save As.

But when you hit the Save As button and choose a different file name, all of the information you have entered into the PDF form is lost, and the form reverts back to a blank form. Strange.

The only workaround I have found is to print the completed form as a PDF file from the print menu instead of using the Save As button. This creates a a PDF file that retains the information you have entered into the form. You do lose the option of re-editing the information you entered into the form, but you can add information to the now filled-in file using something like FormMate or an equivalent application.

Hope this might save someone else some time.
MBP 15" 2.4 Ghz 4Gb
MBA 13" 1.6 Ghz 2Gb
     
Cold Warrior
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Join Date: Jan 2001
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Nov 20, 2007, 11:19 PM
 
I have not been able to save 'savable' pdf forms either. Figured this was just a limitation of Preview. I keep a copy of Reader on hand and up-to-date for forms, especially savable ones.
     
desertmac  (op)
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Nov 20, 2007, 11:29 PM
 
That's another good strategy. I have been trying to ween myself off Acrobat Reader and Professional in Leopard.
MBP 15" 2.4 Ghz 4Gb
MBA 13" 1.6 Ghz 2Gb
     
Cold Warrior
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Nov 20, 2007, 11:34 PM
 
I've found Reader faster and more responsive in Leopard on my MacBook Pro than it ever was under 10.4.
     
desertmac  (op)
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Nov 21, 2007, 12:22 AM
 
That's good news. I am actually trying to reduce the number of apps I have to use. But if I need to revert to Reader glad to know it's more responsive under Leopard.
MBP 15" 2.4 Ghz 4Gb
MBA 13" 1.6 Ghz 2Gb
     
   
 
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