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Last updated on
Aug 31, 2026
Alert
This article contains prerelease information. Release dates, features, and other information are subject to change without notice.
Control whether users can edit template PDF content directly in the authoring environment.
Adobe Acrobat Sign can allow users to edit the content of a template PDF while creating or editing a library template. When enabled, users can make minor document updates directly in the authoring environment without downloading, editing, and re-uploading the PDF.
Use this setting when trusted template authors need to correct or update template content during template preparation. Because users can alter reusable template content, admins should evaluate whether this feature aligns with their document governance and approval processes, especially for templates that contain controlled legal language or standardized terms.
Configuration
Availability
- Acrobat Sign Solutions: Supported (VIP and VIPMP customer accounts)
- Acrobat Sign for Government: Not supported
- Acrobat Standard and Acrobat Pro: Not supported
Configuration scope
- Account and group level settings are supported.
- Group-level settings override account-level settings.
Default value
Enabled for supported accounts.
Confirm before publishing if the template PDF control has a different default than document editing during agreement authoring.
In-flight impact
Changes affect whether users can edit template PDF content when creating or editing a library template after the setting is saved.
Existing library templates are not changed when the setting is enabled or disabled.
Enable or disable document editing for library templates
Go to Account Settings > Send Settings.
Find Edit template PDF content.
Select or clear Allow users to edit the content of the file directly in Authoring while creating or editing a template PDF.
Select Save.
Controls
Allow users to edit the content of the file directly in Authoring while creating or editing a template PDF
Allows users to edit template PDF content directly in the authoring environment while creating or editing a library template.
When enabled:
- Users can switch between field authoring and document editing while working with a template PDF.
- Users can make supported PDF content edits directly in the authoring environment.
- Existing form fields remain attached to the document where possible.
When disabled:
- The option to edit template PDF content is not available while creating or editing a library template.
Caution
When enabled, users can alter reusable template content. Organizations that use approved legal templates or tightly controlled contract language should limit access to trusted template authors
How the setting works
When enabled, users can enter document editing mode while creating or editing a library template. The editing experience uses the same inline document editing behavior available when preparing an agreement for signature. The existing agreement-authoring page supports inline editing for text, formatting, and hyperlinks while preserving existing form fields and agreement configuration.
Supported editing actions include:
- Editing existing text.
- Adding text.
- Removing text.
- Updating text formatting.
- Editing hyperlinks.
Content editing is available only while the template is being created or edited. After the template is saved, the edited PDF content becomes part of the reusable library template.
Caution
Editing document content can shift surrounding content and affect field placement. Always review and reposition fields before saving the template.
Limitations
The feature is available only for:
- Library templates that use a single editable PDF.
- Documents that can be converted into editable signing documents.
Unsupported content and workflows:
- Templates containing multiple documents.
- Scanned documents.
- Password-protected files.
- Encrypted files.
- Documents that already contain signatures.
- Mobile devices.
- Web forms.
- Send in Bulk transactions.
Best practices
- Limit access to trusted template authors when templates contain regulated or approved legal language.
- Instruct users to verify all form field placement after editing template PDF content.
- Use document editing for minor revisions and corrections rather than large document restructuring.
- Continue managing master contract templates outside Acrobat Sign when strict document control is required.
- Review edited templates before making them available to senders.
Things to know
- Users can switch between document editing and field authoring without leaving the authoring environment.
- Editing changes become part of the saved library template.
- Editing template PDF content can affect field placement.
- Page insertion, page removal, and document reordering are not supported.
- If the template PDF contains unsupported content, the edit option is unavailable during authoring.
- Disabling the setting removes the edit option for future template authoring sessions but does not change existing templates.
