Resolved: Adobe Acrobat DC Error “You Cannot Edit this File as a Form”

“Please help! My friend sent an application form to me in PDF file type to add some form fields in it. But, whenever I try to make changes in the document, an error message pops up on the screen ‘You cannot edit this file as a form due to its security settings’. Finally, I realized that security permission applied to this document. Then, I urgently asked password to my friend, but he forgets the password of the file. Now, I need a solution that can remove owner level security without using the password. Any relevant help would be appreciated.”

The PDF or Portable Document Format is the best file type to share any document, but, sometimes, it can create a problem too. Like, the above query, you received a PDF that contains a form, but unable to edit it and get an error message.

Potential Reason Behind the Error of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Basically, this issue happens when the owner level password security applied to a PDF file. In other’s word, apart from PDF document owner, the second person cannot edit the document without the password. So, it gives you security, but sometimes it just makes you pull your hair’s out when you forget the password.

The solution for “You Cannot Edit this File as a Form Due to its Security Settings” Error

Here, we are going to describe two different situations and according to that troubleshooting, the method will be discussed. A user can go through both the scenarios and choose the solution that is more appropriate. So, let’s begin to resolve the error i.e. Adobe Acrobat DC you cannot edit this file as a form.

Situation #1: When User Know About Password of the Protected PDF File

It might be possible that user receives this error message, and probably he/she knows the password of that document too, then this workaround is very much beneficial. A user only needs to purchase the full version of Adobe Acrobat DC software and install into the system. Once it is set up in the PC, go through the below steps to remove ‘You cannot edit this file as a form due to its security settings’ error.

Steps to Remove Owner Level Password Security Via. Adobe Acrobat DC

1. Launch the Adobe Acrobat DC tool.
2. Navigate to File tab and select Properties option from the drop-down menu.
3. After that, click on the Security tab to open its section.
4. Go to the Security Method box and choose No Security option.
5. A dialog box prompts, just enter the permission password associated with the document and click on OK.
6. By doing this, the secured file gets unlocked.

Situation #2: Users Who Do Not Know PDF Permission Password

In most of the situation, a user does not know the owner level security password of a PDF document and unable to edit PDF file as a form. In this case, a user cannot use the Adobe Acrobat DC software. Because it delete security when you already know the password of the file. Else, it will not help you. Hence, a user can use the PDF Security Unlock Software to resolve Adobe Acrobat DC You cannot edit this file as a form due to its security settings’ error.

It is an outstanding automated software that effortlessly removes owner level security from the file without using its password. Also, if the password security is applied on PDF then it can be eliminated permanently by providing the respective password. Apart from this, it can batch unlock PDF files having restrictions like:

• Print
• Copy
• Edit
• Signature, Page Extraction
• Comment, Form Filling
• Document Assembly

Above all, it is a cost-effective tool that supports all Windows Operating system, including Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and Windows Server 2008, 2012, and 2016. Here, the complete procedure is mention to remove file security.

Download Purchase Now

1. Download and install the software
2. Click on Add Files / Add Folder option to browse the secured PDF files.
3. Choose either “Save” or “Print” option 
4. Click the Change button & select the destination location where the resultant editable PDF file will going to be saved.
5. At last, click on the Unlock button to start the process
6. Finally, the software will display the confirmation message.

The End Note

In this article, we have discussed the cause of ‘You cannot edit this file as a form due to its security settings’ error. Along with this, the two different circumstances illustrated above with their relevant resolving method. Now, users can choose any of the troubleshooting methods as per the requirement and fix this error. So, the .pdf file can be editable as a form.

Frequently Asked Questions