Convert fillable form back to a flat form

You can flatten a form using "Advanced > PDF Optimizer". It's one of the options under "Discard Objects".Easier though is the JavaScript method:

flattenPages();

More info at: http://livedocs.adobe.com/acrobat_sdk/9.1/Acrobat9_1_HTMLHelp/JS_API_AcroJS.88.466.php

You can use this with a custom menu item or toolbar button.

Wow, George, thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, I am so inept at acrobat that I can't understand how do do what you are instructing! I don't know which option to pick in your first suggestion and I don't know how to make that address into a menu item or toolbar button.

I just got acrobat 2 days ago and since I will be upgrading to X when it comes out (tomorrow?) I didn't buy the manual. I think I'm just going to have to call the help line tomorrow. Thanks though!

Hi adscutte,

We have a free Flatten toolbar button script available at www.pdfscripting.com. This will add a custom toolbar button in both Acrobat 9 and X that when clicked will flatten the form fields into the PDF page content (no longer interactive).
On this page Free Acrobat Automation Tools scroll down to Flatten Page Content Tool. Above the tools list is a brief discussion of using these tools and a link to a page with instructions on how to install it in Acrobat.Hope this helps,

Dimitri

For #1 in Acrobat 9, select the "Advanced" menu item, then select the "PDF Optimizer" submenu item. This will bring up the PDF Optimizer window. In the pane on the left side you'll see a number of options. Select just the "Discard Objects" option and you'll see a number of additional options to the right. Select the "Flatten form fields" option and then the OK button.

The specific procedure in Acrobat 10 will be different due to the substantial change in the user interface, but it will still be possible.

Creating a custom menu item or toolbar button will also be somewhat different, but useful if you need to do this a lot. Post again after you've installed Acrobat 10 if you think you'll be interested in this.

Thank you borh for the post and thanks, George, for the specific instructions. I've been at work and won't be able to try either suggestion until tomorrow afternoon so I'll let you know how it goes then.

Thanks again!