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Open the PDF file you want to restrict in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Select File from the top menu, then choose Properties.
In the Document Properties window, click the Security tab.
From the Security Method dropdown, select Password Security.
In the Password Security Settings dialog, check the option to restrict editing and printing of the document.
Set a permissions password when prompted.
CautionIf you forget this password, you cannot change or remove the restrictions later.
Choose the specific restrictions you want to apply (e.g., disallow printing, disallow editing, disallow copying).
Click OK to confirm your settings and close the dialog.
Click OK again in the Document Properties window.
Save the PDF to apply the new permissions.
Best practiceTest your restricted PDF in a different PDF reader or with a different user account to confirm the permissions are enforced.
You can review or change these restrictions later by reopening the Document Properties and returning to the Security tab.
This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.
When you set printing to 'Low (150 dpi)', it means the document can only be printed at a lower resolution, which is good for drafts. 'High' quality printing allows the document to be printed at its original, full resolution, which is better for final versions. This helps you control the quality of physical copies.
Restricting PDF editing with a password is important for document security and integrity. It stops unauthorized people from changing your content, like text, images, or page order. This is useful for contracts, official reports, or any document where the original content must stay exactly as you created it, ensuring accuracy and preventing mistakes.
Yes, they can. When you set 'Changes Allowed', one of the options is to control 'form fill'. If you allow 'form fill', users can still complete forms in your PDF even if other editing actions like inserting or deleting pages are restricted. This lets you collect information without letting people change the form's structure.
An owner password is a special password that lets the person who created the PDF's security settings change those settings later. Without this password, the restrictions you set, like no printing or editing, cannot be changed by anyone, including yourself. It gives you full control over your document's security.