Error Saving PDFs In Preview

I cannot save PDF documents in Preview. When I try, I get an error saying "The document 'abc copy' could not be saved as 'abc copy' ". When I try to close the document it prompts me to save it before closing. When I attempt to save it again, it brings up the same error. The only way to get a copy of the data on the pdf is by printing it or taking a screenshot which both makes it impossible to edit the document in the future and removes its formatting. I get the same error regardless of the document I am trying to save or the location I am trying to save it in. Any ideas why this is happening or how to fix it?

MacBook Pro 15”, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 4, 2019 1:55 PM

Top-ranking reply

AntonioEsteban

Level 1

19 points

Posted on Apr 12, 2020 7:04 AM

Same problem with Catalina 10.15.3 and the current Preview.app.

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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Error Saving PDFs In Preview

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