Troubleshooting Adobe PDF Signature Fields and Saving Errors

Tags adobe acrobat

Overview

Some users have reported issues with Adobe PDF forms, where signature fields disappear for recipients after emailing the form. A “file may be read-only” error occurs when saving or editing PDFs, or forms do not open correctly in a browser, or cannot be signed easily. These problems often arise from how PDFs are opened (e.g., in-browser vs. Adobe Acrobat) or how they're saved. This article outlines recommended steps to resolve these issues and improve collaboration with digital signatures.

Instructions

1. Set Adobe Acrobat as Your Default PDF Viewer (Windows Only)

  • Open the Settings menu from the Start menu.
  • Select Apps, then click on Default Apps.
  • Scroll down and click Choose default apps by file type.
  • Scroll down the list to find the .pdf file type.
  • Click the current app next to .pdf (often Microsoft Edge), and select Adobe Acrobat.

2. Use Adobe Acrobat Extension in Google Chrome (Chrome Only)

  • Open Google Chrome and visit the Chrome Web Store.
  • Search for Adobe Acrobat, then click Add to Chrome.
  • Go to chrome://extensions/ and locate Adobe Acrobat.
  • Click Details, then enable Allow access to file URLs.
  • Click Extension Options and choose your preferred save location (e.g., cloud, computer).
  • Restart Chrome to apply settings.
  • Open a PDF in your SUNY Oswego email by clicking the filename (not the download button).
  • Use the Fill & Sign tool shown on the left to add signatures.
  • Save the file to cloud or your device.

3. Share and Sign via Adobe Cloud (Recommended for Collaboration)

  • Open the completed PDF form in Adobe Acrobat.
  • Click File > Share > Get Link.
  • Choose Adobe Cloud Storage as the location to save the document.
  • Copy the generated link and share it with recipients via email.
  • Recipients can sign in a browser without needing the Acrobat desktop app.

4. Fix “File May Be Read-Only” Error

  • Ensure the file is not already open on another device or in a browser tab.
  • Avoid editing PDFs saved on shared drives—save to your local computer or Adobe Cloud first.
  • When collaborating, prefer Adobe Cloud sharing to avoid access conflicts.

Need Help?

Need additional information or assistance? Contact CTS.

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