Is it possible to unlock a PDF file to edit it?

[cyrus buelton]

Beuller? Bueller?

[wbeck257]

what kind of editing do you want to do?

[derby]

it totally depends on how the document was generated... the answer is usually "no."

[Desmostro]

Wellllllllllll... I might humbly disagree. I would say they are generally very editable.
The optimal software for this is Adobe Illustrator. PDF s can be made with all kinds of exotic options including digital signature options, sucurity codes, super locked uneditable versions. However you need Acrobat Pro to do this and the skill to hit the right buttons.

Most PDF kicking around the web have no security at all and are easily hacksble just by opening them in Illustrator.

That said, the super secure options won't allow for this in which case you need other tools.
IF you can open the document without a security signature...

Enter PHOTOSHOP

...the world is your oyster. It's all ready for edit including but not limited to secure documents to images of Kate Moss' ass.    

[Goat_Herder]

it totally depends on how the document was generated... the answer is usually "no."

If you have the Adobe Acrobat, you should be able to edit PDF files.  Adobe Reader won't allow you to edit, it's read-only.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Hit CTRL+P, Enter, and bust out a pencil 

[ute]

open office will do it no problem ...its a free download

i have changed Government PDF's with it

[derby]

If you have the Adobe Acrobat, you should be able to edit PDF files.  Adobe Reader won't allow you to edit, it's read-only.

yeah, but how editable it is depends on how the document was created.. is it an export from a word processor? how about an editable form populated with data and exported as a pdf? is it a graphic/diagram export from another program (visio/acad)?

the first two might be editable, depending on what was used to export it and what options were selected in doing so.

the latter? highly unlikely you'd be able to do anything with it...

[cyrus buelton]

I'd love to post where the document originated from, but it is something my brother asked me about and it is a particular sensitive issue.


thanks for the suggestions and I'll check them out.

Thanks guys.

[He Man]

Whats the matter with a pencil? Type Writer?

Otherwise its photoshop.

[cyrus buelton]

Whats the matter with a pencil? Type Writer?

Otherwise its photoshop.

I can't really discuss it.


Sorry.

It would take a long time to re-type this 8 page PDF file.

[He Man]

not saying retype it, but stick it into a type writer to fill it out.

if thats not why your asking if you can edit it, just forget i said anything.

[somegirl]

If it is actually locked (can't open and edit in Adobe Acrobat) but you have access to a scanner, scan it and try using OCR to convert it to an editable file.

[Big Troubled Bear]

You really are only left with Illustrator, if it is editable, right click on the file and say open with Illustrator or if that doesn`t work try the import command in either Coreldraw or Illustrator

I do it lot`s of times but that is only for graphics file that I need to print in wide format

[wbeck257]

If it is just one page you could always just retype that one page, delete the original page, and insert the new page in the doccument.

Thats if you have access to a full version of acrobat.