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Disable selecting text - creating PDF from Word

Forum Index > PDF Creation > Disable selecting text - creating PDF from Word
2011-09-07 08:46:10
meg
Registered: Sep 7 2011
Posts: 2
Answered

I am using Word 2010 to create PDF files - save as PDF. Adobe Acrobat X version 10.1.0 (also shows as Adobe Acrobat Pro) is the reader it opens in on the computers i use.
 
I do not want the user/viewer of the PDF I created to be able to select text (and therefore be able to copy the text).
 
Is this dependent on the version of the reader the user/viewer is using?
Is there a setting/option that needs to be selected when creating the PDF?
Is there a difference in the installation of the Adobe reader or again a setting that needs to be changed to disallow selecting text in the PDF created?
 
I have Adobe Acrobat X v 10.1.0 on 2 different computers and when I create the PDF on one it does not allow selecting (the user/view has a hand only which allows scrolling the document only), on the other it allows selecting (the user/viewer has a flashing line cursor and can click and drag to select and copy text.
 
????????????
 
more info if needed:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 10.0\Acrobat\plug_ins\Updater.api
Version: 10.1.0.534
Creation Date: 2011/06/06
Creation Time: 3:55:40 PM

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2011-09-08 14:25:48
#1
KellyMcC
Acrobat 9ExpertTeam
Registered: Jul 11 2011
Posts: 389
Accepted Answer
Security can be added to any PDF, and it is not dependent on their Reader version (keeping in mind that Acrobat has a document version compatibility default of Acrobat 6 or newer).

1. In a PDF file already created Choose Tools > Protection > Encrypt > Encrypt with Password. (You can also choose File > Properties and select the Security tab.)

You can see more details here: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/acrobat/pro/using/WSD012A4E1-51D1-4bcd-BA9F-EF03C6F20BB6.php

2. To apply the settings when creating the PDF, in the Microsoft Office Ribbon bar, click on Acrobat, then Security:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/acrobat/pro/using/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7f4c.w.php#WS819ABBBF-1FB3-44b0-A372-CE20BC2C9ADA.w

Kelly McCathran
Adobe Community Expert
Certified Technical Trainer+

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2011-09-15 12:57:46
#2
meg
Registered: Sep 7 2011
Posts: 2
There is no Acrobat ribbon in my Microsoft Word 2010.
now what?
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2011-09-19 13:35:42
#3
KellyMcC
Acrobat 9ExpertTeam
Registered: Jul 11 2011
Posts: 389
You may need to try Help > Repair Acrobat Installation or Re-install Acrobat, to be sure the the PDFMaker Macro is running in Word. You can also check here for more troubleshooting tips:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/403/kb403561.php

Kelly McCathran
Adobe Community Expert
Certified Technical Trainer+

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