Fix Smart PDF template problems

Start from the current PDF in Library. Smart PDF access follows that file and its folder, while already-started profile drafts retain their own saved source and layout.

Make or Edit Smart PDF is missing

Confirm the file is an active PDF and that you can edit its folder. Organization authoring also requires Owner or Manager Staff access. A reader of a configured file gets View Smart PDF.

If the file is no longer available, restore the appropriate access and reopen it from Library. Moving a file can invalidate an already-open selection. Deleting its Library file closes authoring and new use.

A filename ending in PDF is not enough if the uploaded file is another format. Wait for a ready, verified upload; retry upload or processing as appropriate.

The PDF cannot be opened

Smart PDFs accept files up to 50,000,000 bytes and 1–1,000 pages.

• Encrypted PDF: use an unencrypted original.
• XFA form: convert it to a standard PDF.
• Existing digital signature: use the unsigned original.
• Unreadable PDF or invalid page geometry: export a fresh PDF and retry.
• Too many pages or imported fields: split or simplify the source PDF.

Supported existing text, checkbox, and unsigned signature fields can import automatically. Unsupported, hidden, ambiguous, or off-page fields can appear in Import notes and need manual mapping. Existing field values are not imported as a person's answers.

If opening fails, use Try again. Retrying Make Smart PDF recovers an existing configuration for that file when one was already created.

Saving fails or changes disappear

Choose OK in the field editor, then Save changes in the designer. A save failure retains the open working edits. Check missing labels, invalid research prompts/dates, placement, or storage messages.

The template changed; reload before saving means another saved revision exists. Preserve any unsaved text you need before closing and reopening; the designer does not offer automatic conflict merging.

Detect fields and Test template save the designer first. Returning from them does not undo that save. Adding selected detection proposals also saves immediately.

Detection or samples fail

For detection, inspect its status, error, and billing. Use Refresh status; use Retry detection when offered after addressing the cause. A quote failure alone does not mean the operation cannot run.

If billing is being checked, wait for reconciliation. A failed result does not necessarily mean no credits were charged.

For sample load failures choose Reload sample. For failed rendering choose Retry rendering; saved answers remain. Check workspace storage and current authoring access. For poor output, correct the boxes and render a new sample with the updated layout.