Adobe 22002484 User Guide - Page 249

Sign in Preview Document mode, Before you certify a PDF, Certify a PDF

Page 249 highlights

USING ACROBAT 9 STANDARD 244 Digital signatures Sign in Preview Document mode For best results, use the Preview Document feature when you sign documents. This feature analyzes the document for content that may alter the appearance of the document. It then suppresses that content, allowing you to view and sign the document in a static and secure state. The Preview Document feature can help you find out if the document contains any dynamic content or external dependencies. It can also help you find out if the document contains any constructs such as form fields, multimedia, or JavaScript that could affect its appearance. After reviewing the report, you can contact the author of the document about the problems listed in the report. You can also use Preview Document mode outside a signing workflow to check the integrity of a document. Sign a PDF in Preview Document mode 1 Open the Preferences dialog box, and select Security on the left. 2 Select View Documents In Preview Document Mode When Signing, and click OK. 3 In the PDF, click the signature field, or click the Sign button in the Tasks toolbar and choose Sign Document. The document message bar appears with the compliance status and options. 4 (Optional) Click View Report in the document message bar (if available) and select each item in the list to show details. When you're done, close the PDF Signature Report dialog box. 5 If you're satisfied with the compliance status of the document, click Sign Document in the document message bar, and add your digital signature. 6 Save the PDF using a different name than the original, and close the document without making any further changes. Before you certify a PDF Document authors can improve document integrity and ensure that their documents remain certified by addressing the following issues before they certify PDFs: • Disable or remove content that could modify the document or compromise its integrity, such as JavaScripts, actions, or embedded media. • Certify or sign a PDF only after you make final changes to it. If you make changes or resave the PDF after you sign it, you may compromise the validity of your signature or the document's certified status. More Help topics "Examine a PDF for hidden content" on page 237 Certify a PDF When you certify a PDF, you indicate that you approve of its contents. You also specify the types of changes that are permitted for the document to remain certified. For example, suppose that a government agency creates a form with signature fields. When the form is complete, the agency certifies the document, allowing users to change only form fields and sign the document. Users can fill in the form and sign the document, but if they remove pages or add comments, the document doesn't retain its certified status. Last updated 9/30/2011

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244
USING ACROBAT 9 STANDARD
Digital signatures
Last updated
9
/30/2011
Sign in Preview Document mode
For best results, use the Preview Document feature when you sign documents. This feature analyzes the document for
content that may alter the appearance of the document. It then suppresses that content, allowing you to view and sign
the document in a static and secure state.
The Preview Document feature can help you find out if the document contains any dynamic content or external
dependencies. It can also help you find out if the document contains any constructs such as form fields, multimedia,
or JavaScript that could affect its appearance. After reviewing the report, you can contact the author of the document
about the problems listed in the report.
You can also use Preview Document mode outside a signing workflow to check the integrity of a document.
Sign a PDF in Preview Document mode
1
Open the Preferences dialog box, and select Security on the left.
2
Select View Documents In Preview Document Mode When Signing, and click OK.
3
In the PDF, click the signature field, or click the Sign button in the Tasks toolbar and choose Sign Document.
The document message bar appears with the compliance status and options.
4
(Optional) Click View Report in the document message bar (if available) and select each item in the list to show
details. When you’re done, close the PDF Signature Report dialog box.
5
If you’re satisfied with the compliance status of the document, click Sign Document in the document message bar,
and add your digital signature.
6
Save the PDF using a different name than the original, and close the document without making any further changes.
Before you certify a PDF
Document authors can improve document integrity and ensure that their documents remain certified by addressing
the following issues before they certify PDFs:
Disable or remove content that could modify the document or compromise its integrity, such as JavaScripts,
actions, or embedded media.
Certify or sign a PDF only after you make final changes to it. If you make changes or resave the PDF after you sign
it, you may compromise the validity of your signature or the document’s certified status.
More Help topics
Examine a PDF for hidden content
” on page
237
Certify a PDF
When you certify a PDF, you indicate that you approve of its contents. You also specify the types of changes that are
permitted for the document to remain certified. For example, suppose that a government agency creates a form with
signature fields. When the form is complete, the agency certifies the document, allowing users to change only form
fields and sign the document. Users can fill in the form and sign the document, but if they remove pages or add
comments, the document doesn’t retain its certified status.