How to Edit Secured PDF Files with Ease

PDFs are incredibly popular for sharing and storing files, but what if you want to edit a secured PDF? There will be PDFs that you cannot edit due to document-open password and permission restrictions. Thankfully, there are a few ways to edit secured PDF files. Whether it is a password-protected PDF or a PDF protected by restrictions, you can always edit it using the methods given in this article.

Table of Contents:

• Understanding Secured PDFs
• Part 1: Edit Secured PDF without Password
• Part 2: Edit Secured PDF with Password
• Part 3: Converting to an Editable Format
• Conclusion

Before we start, let us understand secured PDFs.

Understanding Secured PDFs

Secured PDFs are PDF files that have been encrypted and cannot be opened without a password. Users also call a PDF file that can be opened but not edited as a secured PDF. These security features protect the files from unauthorized access and changes respectively.

1. Password Protection: Secured PDFs typically require a password to open. Without the password, you can’t access the content. We call it the document-open password.
2. Editing Restrictions: Some PDFs prevent you from making changes to the text or images within the document. We call it a permissions password.

Part 1: Edit Secured PDF without Password

If the PDF document is protected with a document-open password, then it is impossible to open and edit this protected PDF using legal means. You can try password recovery tools to crack the password or ask the owner for the PDF password.

However, if the PDF document is protected with a permissions password, i.e., you can open the file but cannot edit it, then you can use PDF File Unlocker to edit secured PDF documents.

Here is the process to edit a protected PDF without password:

• Download, install, and run the software.
  
• Click on the Add File button.
  
• Select one or more PDF documents from your local disk and click on Open button.
• Enter the password if your PDF file has document-open password.
  
• Leave it empty if your PDF file only has permission restrictions.
• Click on the Unlock button.
  
• That’s it. The software has successfully made PDF file readable and editable.

Part 2: Edit Secured PDF with Password

Adobe Acrobat is a popular tool for editing secured PDFs. It’s especially useful for PDFs with password protection:

• Launch Adobe Acrobat and open the secured PDF file.
• If the PDF requires a password to open, enter it when prompted.
  
• Once the PDF is open, you can use Adobe Acrobat’s editing features to make changes to the text, images, or other elements.
• If you get the “Editing is not permitted” error, then go to Tools > Protect > Encrypt > Remove security. Here, enter the password and click OK to confirm the action.
  
• After editing, save the PDF. You can choose to save it as a new file or overwrite the existing one.

Part 3: Converting to an Editable Format

Another way to edit a secured PDF is by converting it to an editable format like Word or Google Docs:

• Find a reliable online PDF to Word converter (e.g., Adobe’s online converter).
  
• Upload your secured PDF to the converter. It will convert the PDF to an editable Word document.
  
• Open the converted Word document and make your edits. You’ll have full editing capabilities.
• After editing, export the document as a PDF if needed.
  

Conclusion

It is easy to edit secured PDF files as long as you are aware of the correct ways. With these straightforward methods, you can easily make the changes you need, whether it’s for work, school, or personal use. Choose the method that suits your situation best, and edit protected PDF files.