How to make a PDF non editable

PDF File Security Guide: How to Create Uneditable PDF Files?

The PDF format was created by Adobe in the early 1990s to provide a way to display and exchange documents independent of specific software, hardware and operating systems. Today, PDF file formats have gained widespread trust from individuals and businesses around the world.

PDF files are created quickly and can contain text, graphics, links, buttons, and form fields. PDF documents can also be electronically signed, making them the preferred file type for exchange contracts and other official records.

If you know how to create a non-editable PDF file, you can easily prevent unauthorized changes, allowing us to dig into the details.

How to create a non-editable PDF file

Learn how to create non-editable PDF files, add passwords, and protect your information with more than 230 applications on Setapp.

How to protect PDF documents with a free trial

PDF is the third most popular file format on the web, and it is used more frequently than JPEG, PNG or GIF. PDF files are convenient and portable, but due to their wide use, they may also endanger the security of the information they contain. Unless you add one or more protection levels to prevent unauthorized users from copying, changing, or even viewing content.

There are several ways to create a non-editable PDF file:

• Convert to read-only mode: This is the standard level of protection that allows users to open and read PDF files but prevents them from making any changes to them. For example, for promotional materials, it is very useful if you want to distribute content publicly but still make sure no one can change the original file.
• Use Password Protection: By using a password, you can control document limitations. For more confidential documents, you can set the required password to view them, or limit the user's ability to copy or print text in the document. You can specify that some areas of the PDF are not protected when creating a file and define additional restrictions.
• Using third-party certificate security tools: This method involves using public key encryption to ensure the identity of the document creator and to ensure that only certain recipients can access the file. Always verify that you are using a third-party security certificate from a trusted source, if you have created your own, be aware that deleting the file will lock any PDF files created with that certificate.

How to convert PDF to read-only mode on Mac

After creating a PDF document, the next step should be to prevent it from being copied and changed by setting it to be non-editable or read-only. Adobe Acrobat's "Permissions" feature allows you to easily password-protect new and existing documents and set specific restrictions.

Saving or creating a read-only PDF usually requires encrypting the file and creating two passwords. The first password is used to open the document, and the second password is used to protect the permissions you add to the PDF. Before we begin to introduce how to create a non-editable PDF file, remember that strong passwords should contain combinations of numbers, special characters, and uppercase and lowercase letters.

How to create non-editable PDF files in Adobe Reader and assign permissions:

1. Go to File ➙Open and select the PDF file you want to use.
2. Click "Tools" ➙ "Protect" ➙ "Encryption".
3. Check Encrypt all document content.
4. If you want anyone to view it, uncheck the “Require password to open a document” check box.
5. Select the “Restrict editing and printing of documents” check box.
6. Enter your password in the Change Permission Password field.
7. Select None for the Allow Changes and Allow Printing options, or if you want to keep the feature unlimited, select the print resolution in the Allow Printing menu.
8. Uncheck the check box next to Enable copying of text, images, and other content.
9. Click OK to apply the settings, and then click File ➙Save As to save the read-only version of the PDF file.

If you find the above steps too cumbersome, there are other tools to simplify the process.

Nitro PDF Pro is a unique application that provides only the most necessary features to create, edit, annotate, merge, convert and protect your PDF documents from unauthorized access. Security is always a top priority during the creation of Nitro PDF Pro, and this utility gives you the ultimate control over who can view and modify your document while allowing you to digitally sign and verify your signatures to reduce turnaround time.

Furthermore, all of these features are packaged in a clean and minimalist interface that meets the needs of each user, which is a big plus!

Here is how to create non-editable PDF files using Nitro PDF Pro:

1. Open your PDF file in Nitro PDF Pro.
2. Click "Window" ➙ "Document Permissions" (Option ⌘ 4).
3. Add owner password.
4. Select a preset from the drop-down menu, or manually check permissions.

The best tool to ensure PDF information is secure

How to create a non-editable Mac PDF? You now know the answer. But better than just knowing the answer is having the right tools to help you meet your needs.

Try handling all PDF-related actions with Nitro PDF Pro, from creation and editing to format conversion and protection, or switch to PDF Search and quickly find what you need without wasting time reading lengthy documents.

Both Nitro PDF Pro and PDF Search are available for free with the seven-day trial of Setapp, a platform with over 230 best-in-class applications that provide support and guidance in your daily work. Check out the tools Setapp offers for a variety of occasions and you will never regret it! But don't believe what we say, please experience it yourself.

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