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Adobe 9 Pro markup and comment buttons remain grey on saved PDF

eastgate
Registered: Apr 8 2009
Posts: 8
Answered

Hello,

I downloaded publications from scientific journals such as Nature or Cell, but however I saved them or emailed them, the buttons for markup tools remained unavailable, i.e. stayed grey in the toolbar.

For comparison, PDF files created from Word by conversion works fine for markup, commenting, sticky notes, etc. On the other hand, these same saved files were open for markup when I was using Adobe 8 Pro (now displaced from computer). So the problem is specific to 9 Pro and files downloaded from scientific journal online publications.

I tried to go through all buttons to find things like "rights", "security", "edit enabling" etc, but got nowhere. I think a similar question was posted by someone else earlier and the help just said "have you tried to enable commenting?" or something like that. I guess my question is not what to try, but which sequence of buttons to click.

Many thanks in advance.

lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Are you viewing your file within a browser or just within Acrobat 9 Pro? What do the document properties list when you go to File > Properties > Security tab?

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

eastgate
Registered: Apr 8 2009
Posts: 8
I used it in 9 Pro, not within a browser. Under file-properties-security, it says "no security" on top, and everything "allowed" from printing to the bottom of the page. Thanks.
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
How were these files created (File >Properties > Description tab)? Does turning off "View documents in PDF/A mode" under Edit > Preferences > Documents category have any affect?

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

eastgate
Registered: Apr 8 2009
Posts: 8
Turning off View in PDF/A worked! Thanks!!!