Acrobat User Community Forums

You are not logged in.     Log in to your AUC account.     Don't have an account? Sign up today

#1 2007-07-17 15:43:03

SSMITH
Member
Registered: 2007-07-17
Posts: 0

Locked objects in .pdfs converted from Word

I upgraded from Acrobat 5 to Acrobat 8. With 5 I was able to select objects and lines of text and move them around the page with ease. Most of my documents were converted from MS Word. But, now with 8 I am not able to do so. According to the "help" section: "A selected object usually shows a bounding box. Selection handles appear when the pointer is over the object. When the pointer is over a locked object, no selection handles appear." As far as I can tell there are no selection handles. To my knowledge I never locked anything in the Word or pdf documents. I even tried converting a file with version 8 to see if that made a difference, but still no movement. I've looked all over with no luck. Is there something stupid that I'm missing? Thanks!!


My Product Information:
Acrobat Standard 8 / Windows

Offline

 

#2 2007-07-17 16:21:27

Dimitri
Member

Registered: 2007-04-23
Posts: 197

Re: Locked objects in .pdfs converted from Word

Hi SSMITH,

There have been many changes to the UI in Acrobat from version 5 to 8 (and inbetween).  I don't remember what the selection tool was in version 5, but in Acrobat 8 you need to use the Select Object Tool to show all objects in the PDF with bounding box/handles.  The Select Object Tool looks like an arrow.  To add this toolbar to the UI go to View ->Toolbars and check "Advanced Editing."

Hope that helps,

Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
www.windjack.com

Offline

 

#3 2007-07-18 09:33:05

ssmith
Member
Registered: 2007-07-17
Posts: 0

Re: Locked objects in .pdfs converted from Word

Thanks Dimitri.
I have been using the "select object tool" in both version 5 and 8, but the problem is that I can't move objects with that tool in version 8. According to the help entry from Acrobat the object is locked (which would mean everything on the page because I've tried moving them all)but I can't figure out how or where (Word or Acrobat) to unlock them.

Offline

 

#4 2007-07-18 11:15:24

Dimitri
Member

Registered: 2007-04-23
Posts: 197

Re: Locked objects in .pdfs converted from Word

Hi SSmith,

OK. So, when you have the Select Object tool active you DO see the bounding box, but cannot move any of the objects with a bounding box?  Try Right Clicking on a "locked" object, choose Properties and see if the small check box in the lower left corner labeled "Lock" in the dialog that pops up is checked.  If it is, uncheck it then try moving the object.
If that works you are in business, but I am not sure how the objects got locked if you didn't lock them- that is not the default setting.  If you created an object and locked it, then made that the default by right-clicking and choosing "Use Current Properties as New Defaults" all subsequent similar objects you created would be locked also.

Hope that helps,

Dimitri
WindJack Solutions
www.windjack.com

Offline

 

#5 2007-10-24 08:39:46

robi1
Member
Registered: 2007-10-24
Posts: 1

Re: Locked objects in .pdfs converted from Word

I have the same problem running Acrobat 8 Standard on Vista.  I cannot move my text or objects sent from PowerPoint.  Had not problems with Acrobat 5.  Would really appreciate help.  I did not see a lock check box.
Thanks much
robi

Offline

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB
© Copyright 2002–2005 Rickard Andersson

AcrobatUsers.com  >>  User Groups • News • Events • Articles • Blogs • How To • Resources • Member Log in