Preview erases my text input when saving PDF

Hi,
Some pdf's doesn't allow to save filled in forms, if this is not the case, try one of the following
1. Try 'Save as' instead of save.
2. Try print and then from the print dialog choose 'save as pdf...'.
3. Try adobe and see if it allows you to save.

Not all PDF forms permit you to fill out the form. If the form wasn't created to be filled out as a PDF form, then you can't make such changes to the form with Preview.

If none of Ahsan's suggestions work, you could use CUPS-PDF
<http://www.codepoetry.net/projects/cups-pdf-for-mosx>
It creates a virtual printer. Printing to this printer creates a PDF file, rather than actually printing.

Since it lets me type in the boxes it should mean its made for that, right?

Not necessarily. There are some pdfs that you can fill in and print but can not save. I remember a Tax form that I downloaded and tried to save (after filling in) the form but it was not allowing me to do so. I used "save as pdf" from the print window to save it.

If "Save as PDF" works, there is no need for CUPS-PDF, but I have seen Adobe Reader disable "Save as PDF". Some PDFs are created with settings that don't allow saving a filled-in form.

This isn't helpful enough. I'm running into this exact problem, with tax forms from the IRS. The PDF's are marked as giving me full permissions. I can say "save as", and the result is an unedited copy of the original file.

Permissions:
You have full permissions for this PDF. You can copy text, print, or make changes to the PDF and save

The save in preview seems to be broken.

OK, this is weird.

I downloaded acrobat reader, and tossed the tax file at it. It does not say that I have full permissions:

Not permitted is: Document assembly, Commenting, Signing, Creation of template pages.

Acrobat reader clearly states at the top of the page that you cannot save data typed in, but must print it out.

Save as text does work, and saves the edits, but that's a useless format.

Preview does not work, nor does save as pdf from the print menu.

From Preview.app, the "open pdf in preview" does work, as does save as pdf.

Does anyone know how to change the permissions settings on a PDF to permit this?

syra wrote:
Thanks guys. Since it lets me type in the boxes it should mean its made for that, right? Actually now that I recall, the form IS made to be saved with your filled in data...that's how I had it through acrobat pro on my PC.

I'll check the virtual printer...

Check the security settings on the file

keybounce wrote:
This isn't helpful enough. I'm running into this exact problem, with tax forms from the IRS. The PDF's are marked as giving me full permissions. I can say "save as", and the result is an unedited copy of the original file.

So I found out what's going on with the tax forms, at least.

The IRS is using an outdated form preparation program. They even state that their output is compatible with, and will save with edits on Adobe Reader 7 or 8, but not with reader 9.

Is there any way to override or remove the security settings in the PDF file? I mean, if older versions of reader can save the changes, then it must actually be possible, merely a "This flag tells me to disable something that I'm perfectly able to do" in the program, so how can I either disable that flag or change the behavior of the program?

(At least in the USA's copyright laws, there is something called "Fair Use" that lets you do things that would otherwise be prohibited. To deny any form of Fair Use is to deny a protected right, which could get into legal challenges.)

Just been struggling with Preview and PDF forms that I'm creating myself.

I create the form in Acrobat Pro and enable usage rights. This in theory lets people save the form data.

I can enter text in the form in Preview but when I save, the text is gone.

However, with Adobe Reader 8.1.3, not only can I enter the fields but save them too.

Looks like this is a deficiency in Preview. Unfortunately, it means you have to download Reader but it's free so it's not too bad. Apple need to fix this though.

Hope this helps.