Learn how to resolve the warning while signing PDFs with embedded actions.
In Acrobat, when signing certain PDF documents, you may receive the following warning message:
This document contains embedded actions (e.g., OpenAction or Additional Actions). These actions are supported in this version of Acrobat but may be disabled in future versions. For long-term compatibility, consider requesting a version without embedded actions from the document author.
The warning appears when a document has interactive elements called embedded actions, such as OpenAction or Additional Actions (AA) as defined in ISO 32000-1:2008, Clause 12.6.3 – Action Types. These actions often automate behaviors when a document is opened or when a specific event occurs, such as displaying a message, navigating to a particular page, or updating form data.
In digitally signed or certified PDFs:
- Embedded actions may change how the document appears or behaves after signing, though the actual signed data stays the same.
- The digital signature may still be valid, but the document might look different after signing.
- To ensure the reliability of signed documents across Acrobat versions, support for these actions may be limited in future updates.
Embedded actions can change the PDF appearance after signing
- For a reliable signing experience, contact the document author and request a new version of the PDF without embedded actions.
If the document is from a trusted source, you can accept the warning and complete the digital signing process.
Future versions of Acrobat may restrict or disable embedded actions in signed PDFs to maintain document security and long-term integrity post-signing.
