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Author Topic: Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF  (Read 2962 times)

Offline RHPConsult

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« on: July 22, 2006, 01:45:52 PM »
My enthusiasm for wending my way through Adobe’s Help ranks right up there with annual physical examinations of various parts of my alimentary canal.    coolio.gif

PROBLEM: I have an established and complex business form – now in pdf, w/a copy in .ps also in the folder. It was designed and executed several (read = many) years ago in MacDraw Pro, then  transmogrified into a pdf, to make it easily transmittable via e-mail. I wish, now, to correct a few text items within it.

I have a copy of Adobe Write 4.0 functioning reasonably well as a Classic App in my 10.4.7.

What I find impossible (for me) to divine are the steps required to make that copy of Writer modify (or sumthin’) that pdf, thereby effecting the minor, but necessary, corrections to its text. I DO NOT possess an "available" original of the document to re-process in Distiller. If I did, there would be no reason for this posting.

Presumably, Pages  286-288 (of Writer's 670+ pg manual!) explain the process. Oh suuuuure!

Looking for a solution: Can anybody point me in the right direction for "simple advice", or – better yet . . .
  1. Identify the appropriate tools in Writer
  2. To cut/replace the incorrect text
  3. To get those changes to "stick" in an amended pdf
HELP!

Please.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2006, 01:48:05 PM by RHPConsult »
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Offline weldiger

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2006, 04:54:06 PM »
RHP  If you have MS Word, or Apple Works, you may be able to open the document, copy, and delete all extraneous stuff that shows up.  Then save document as PDF before printing.
I have done this with various documents, some of which were not supposed to be at all compatible.
give it a try in MS Word first if you have it.

HTH
Shalom
wd
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Shalom
weldiger

Offline RHPConsult

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2006, 07:30:11 PM »
Sorry, Weldiger. Neither WORD nor AppleWorks has ever opened a pdf, for editing, as far as I know. I'm eager to be corrected if I'm wrong.

If there was some  way to open the PostScript file which is the "stepping stone"  to Distiller's "construction" of a pdf, that would also be helpful.

I'm certain Adobe Writer is supposed to be able open already saved pdfs for editing, but I'll be darned if I can figure it out.

I have Writer, WORD, AW WdPfct etc. etc, but I'm really stuck.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2006, 07:31:33 PM by RHPConsult »
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Offline kbeartx

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2006, 10:18:09 PM »
IMO it's time for the good olde workaround...

Since it's proving problematical to alter the file the logical way, I suggest you copy the text in the existing [old] PDF and paste into your preferred wp app, edit and format as desired, then save the result as PDF via the Print Dialog.

 - KB
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Offline RHPConsult

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2006, 11:49:49 PM »
Have you ever followed your own prescription? I've never been able to copy a pdf into anything but Preview, only then as an uneditable pic, via COPY– –>PASTE

If "bits and pieces" could be cut-and-replaced, I would have done so and this adventure would be successfully concluded.

IF I'm in error here, please point it out, with specifics. I am at sea . . .
QUOTE
How to cut and paste the text in a pdf, to . . .anywhere?
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Offline kbeartx

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2006, 02:02:52 AM »
MY experience has been vastly different: I have ALWAYS been able to copy and paste the text from a PDF [sans formatting] into another app.

Try selecting the text w/ your cursor [I vaguely recall that you have to repeat the procedure, page by page].

Just did it [w/ Preview and AWKS], and that's how it worked.
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Offline krissel

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2006, 02:45:15 AM »
Yes, you can copy but you can't cut and replace as Dick wishes to do in Preview.

Dick, I have Acrobat 5. If the forms aren't private and you don't need them yesterday, you can send them to me and I'll attempt the alterations if you wish.
 
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« Last Edit: July 23, 2006, 02:45:32 AM by krissel »
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Offline RHPConsult

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2006, 08:39:03 AM »
Check your e-mail! flower-smilie.gif
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2006, 03:35:42 PM »
There are two 'selection' tools in Adobe Reader. One for images one for text. Just be sure you use the "Text" tool and you should have no trouble copying, pasting the text into any WP. From there is is a simple format/edit/cut/paste/copy/erase/delete/highlight/deselect/whatever. If you use the "Text" select tool, you are simply copying the text, no formatting, just the text. But text is text is text. By any other name it would still be text.

Here is some text I just copied out of a PDF doc: "Below are the instructions for installing a pre-assembled CFS for an Epson 1270 / 1280 / 1290[edited out another printer number] printer. On the pre-assembled unit, the cartridges come full. You do not have to inject ink or vacuum fill the cartridges. The empty tubes will fill with ink as you begin to use the system." As you can see, I substituted some text for whatever the last printer number was. BTW, this is Reader version 6.0.3, I have refused to upgrade further untill reports of fixes to the last two upgrades! eek2.gif I've never owned, used, desired any Writer version. Especially since the OS can create PDF's so effortlessly. smile.gif Besides, I don't want anyone editing my epistles! eusa_dance.gif
« Last Edit: July 23, 2006, 03:38:19 PM by airbusdriver »
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Offline RHPConsult

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2006, 06:55:15 PM »
QUOTE(airbusdriver @ Jul 23 2006, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There are two 'selection' tools in Adobe Reader. One for images one for text. Just be sure you use the "Text" tool and you should have no trouble copying, pasting the text into any WP. From there is is a simple format/edit/cut/paste/copy/erase/delete/highlight/deselect/whatever. If you use the "Text" select tool, you are simply copying the text, no formatting, just the text. But text is text is text. By any other name it would still be text.
I do apologize to anyone reading this, since I am having REAL problems getting my concept/problem across.

I don't want to copy and read text, I wish ONLY to edit an existing pdf file (circa 1998) first drafted in Word Perfect, which, after editing, I will to send to certain e-correspondents. Because it's a "form" to be filled-in, it has an abundance of lines/boxes/matrices.

Perhaps, if I cite some specifics it may clarify my muddled presentation, herein.
  1. We have an Application which we ask prospective tenants, for a rental property, to complete
  2. From those data we choose the best renter . . . we hope!
  3. In its present form, the Application has an incorrect phone number for returning a completed version to us by fax, for those who wish that to use that method. That fax number requires correction.
  4. We always request/hope "candidates" will complete the pdf via Acrobat Writer and return it by e-mailo. Many do.
  5. Life, then, is good
Adobe Reader will not allow selection/correction of a pdf, insofar as I have been able to discover.  

Adobe Writer (at least v 4.0) has a >650 pg manual that would never "place" let alone 'win" the Strunk and White Memorial Stakes! More like breaking-down at the 3/8ths pole.

Krissel is going to see if her version (5.0) has some text-select-correct tool that has so far escaped me in 4.0.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2006, 06:56:46 PM by RHPConsult »
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Offline Bobun

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2006, 11:18:16 PM »
All done. Basically you have to click on the T tool and choose "Touchup Text Tool" then click on the area and edit. Took one minute.

It's on its way to you now.

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Oh, this is krissel using Bobun's identity.   smile.gif
« Last Edit: July 23, 2006, 11:19:24 PM by Bobun »
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Offline RHPConsult

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Adobe Writer and “Correcting” a PDF
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2006, 01:22:04 AM »
Bravo, Kris:

Thank you. Thank you.   flower-smilie.gif

I was sure it was "in" there somewhere, but d***ed (darned) if I was able to find it . . . and intuitive has never been Adobe's midddle name, IMHO.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2006, 01:23:05 AM by RHPConsult »
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