How to Save a Fillable PDF Form (And Keep Your Data)

You Filled Out the PDF. Then Lost Everything.

You spent 20 minutes filling out a PDF form. You hit save. You close it. You reopen it—and every field is blank. Your data is gone.

This happens constantly, and it isn't your fault. The problem is how different PDF viewers handle form data when saving. Some strip your entries silently. Others save a copy without the filled content. The fix depends on which tool you're using and what type of PDF form you have.

Why Fillable PDFs Lose Data When You Save

Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand why this happens. There are three common causes:

1. Reader vs. Pro Restrictions

Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) cannot save form data in many PDFs unless the form creator explicitly enabled "Extended Features in Adobe Reader." If the creator didn't flip this switch, Reader lets you fill fields but silently discards your entries when you save. You get no warning.

2. XFA vs. AcroForms

PDF forms use one of two internal formats. AcroForms are the standard—widely supported and reliable. XFA forms (XML Forms Architecture) are an older Adobe-proprietary format created with LiveCycle Designer. XFA forms only work properly in Adobe products. If you open an XFA form in Chrome, Preview, or most third-party tools, fields may appear blank or your data won't persist after saving.

3. Browser PDF Viewers Strip Form Data

Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox each have built-in PDF viewers. These viewers can display form fields and even let you type in them. But they handle saving inconsistently—some flatten the form on save, others discard field data entirely. Chrome's viewer is the most capable, but still unreliable for complex forms.

How to Save a Fillable PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free)

Adobe Acrobat Reader is the safest option for saving fillable PDFs. Here's the correct process:

1. Download the PDF to your computer first (don't fill it in a browser)
2. Open with Acrobat Reader — right-click the file and choose "Open with Adobe Acrobat Reader"
3. Fill out all fields
4. Save with File > Save As — choose a new filename so you keep the blank original
5. Verify — close and reopen the saved file to confirm data persisted

If Save As is grayed out or your data disappears after saving, the form creator didn't enable Reader Extended Features. Your options:

• Ask the sender for a version with extended features enabled
• Use File > Print > Print to PDF to capture a flattened copy with your data
• Use Fill & Sign mode instead — this saves data as annotations that Reader can always persist

How to Save a Fillable PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Acrobat Pro has no restrictions on saving form data. Every fillable PDF saves correctly.

1. Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro
2. Fill out the form
3. File > Save As to save with data

To enable saving for Reader users (if you're the form creator):

1. Open your form in Acrobat Pro
2. Go to File > Save As Other > Reader Extended PDF
3. Select Enable More Tools (including form fill-in & save)
4. Save — now anyone with free Acrobat Reader can save their form data

How to Save a Fillable PDF in Preview (Mac)

Preview on macOS supports AcroForms but has quirks:

1. Open the PDF in Preview
2. Fill out the form fields
3. File > Save (or Command+S)
4. Close and reopen to verify

Common Preview issues:

• Data disappears after saving: Preview may not support the form's field types. Try Adobe Acrobat Reader instead.
• Fields look correct but are empty when printed: Use File > Export as PDF instead of regular Save.
• XFA forms won't work at all in Preview — use Adobe Acrobat Reader for those.

How to Save a Fillable PDF in Chrome (Browser)

Chrome's built-in PDF viewer lets you fill basic forms, but saving is unreliable. If you must use Chrome:

1. Open the PDF in Chrome
2. Fill out the fields
3. Click the download icon (or Ctrl+S / Command+S)
4. Choose "Save as" and pick a location
5. Immediately verify by reopening the downloaded file in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Better approach: Download the PDF first, then open in Acrobat Reader. Chrome is fine for viewing PDFs but shouldn't be your primary form-filling tool.

How to Save a Fillable PDF and Keep It Fillable

Sometimes you need to save a partially completed form and return to it later—or share it with someone else who needs to edit the remaining fields. Here's how to keep forms editable after saving:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader/Pro: Use File > Save As. The standard Save As preserves all form fields and interactivity.
• Preview (Mac): Use File > Save. Preview preserves AcroForm fields by default.
• Avoid "Print to PDF" — this flattens the form, removing all interactive fields permanently.
• Avoid "Export" in some apps — certain export functions strip form functionality.

The key rule: If you want to keep a PDF fillable, never print-to-PDF or flatten it. Always use the application's native Save or Save As.

How to Save a Fillable PDF as Non-Fillable (Flatten)

After filling a form, you may want to lock it so nobody can change your answers. This is called "flattening" — it converts interactive fields into static text embedded in the page.

Method 1: Print to PDF

Works in any application:

1. Fill out the form completely
2. Go to File > Print
3. Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" (Windows) or "Save as PDF" (Mac)
4. Save to a new filename
5. The result is a flat, non-editable PDF with your data baked in

Method 2: Adobe Acrobat Pro

1. Fill the form
2. Go to File > Save As Other > Reader Extended PDF is NOT what you want here
3. Instead, use File > Print > Adobe PDF printer
4. Or use Tools > Print Production > Flatten Form Fields (Acrobat Pro DC and later)

Method 3: Online Tools

Services like Sejda, iLovePDF, and SmallPDF offer free flattening. Upload your filled PDF, flatten, and download the locked version.

Important: Always keep a copy of the fillable version before flattening. Flattening is permanent and cannot be undone.

For a deeper walkthrough, see our guide to flattening PDFs.

Comparison: Saving Methods at a Glance

The Hassle-Free Option

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FAQs

Why does my fillable PDF go blank after I save it? The most common cause is using Adobe Acrobat Reader on a form that doesn't have Extended Features enabled. Reader can display and fill the fields but can't save the data without this permission. Try "Print to PDF" as a workaround, or use Acrobat Pro. Also check if you're using a browser viewer — download the file and open it in a dedicated PDF application.

How do I save a fillable PDF so others can still edit it? Use File > Save As in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro. This preserves all form fields and interactivity. Avoid Print to PDF, which flattens the form and removes all editable fields. If you're distributing a form to others, use Acrobat Pro to enable Extended Features so anyone with Reader can both fill and save.

How do I save a filled PDF as read-only? Flatten the form using Print to PDF (works in any app) or use Acrobat Pro's Flatten Form Fields option. This converts your filled entries into static text that can't be changed. For additional security, you can add a password restriction in Acrobat Pro under File > Properties > Security.

What's the difference between XFA and AcroForms, and why does it matter for saving? AcroForms are the standard PDF form format — supported by virtually every PDF viewer. XFA forms are an older Adobe-proprietary format that only works in Adobe products. If your form data disappears in non-Adobe tools but works in Acrobat, you likely have an XFA form. The solution: always use Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro for XFA forms, or ask the form creator for an AcroForms version.

Can I save a fillable PDF on my phone? On iPhone/iPad, open the PDF in the Files app or Adobe Acrobat Reader app, fill the form, and tap the share icon to save. On Android, use Adobe Acrobat Reader or Google Drive's PDF viewer. Browser-based filling on mobile is unreliable — always use a dedicated app. For details, see our guides on filling PDFs on iPhone and Android.

How do I make my fillable PDF savable for everyone? If you created the form in Acrobat Pro, go to File > Save As Other > Reader Extended PDF > Enable More Tools. This allows anyone with the free Acrobat Reader to fill and save the form. Without this step, Reader users will lose their data on save.

Related Guides

• Fill Out a PDF Form Online
• Fillable PDF Not Working?
• Fill Non-Fillable PDF
• How to Flatten a PDF