How to Combine a LiveCycle PDF with Another PDF in Acrobat
Question details
The user is unable to merge a fillable PDF created in LiveCycle Designer with a standard Word-generated PDF using Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to merge multiple PDF files where one of the files is an XFA-based LiveCycle Designer form.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat refuses to combine the files directly and recommends creating a PDF Portfolio instead, due to compatibility issues with XFA-based forms.
Before merging, ensure you have saved a backup copy of your original LiveCycle fillable PDF, as the merging workaround requires flattening the file, which permanently removes interactive form fields and scripts.
Flatten the LiveCycle PDF via Print to PDF
Convert the XFA-based LiveCycle form into a standard, non-interactive PDF by printing it to a virtual PDF printer, allowing it to be merged with other files.
LiveCycle Designer forms are XFA-based and cannot be directly merged with standard AcroForm PDFs in Acrobat. Flattening the file converts it into a standard PDF structure.
Open the fillable LiveCycle PDF in Adobe Acrobat or your preferred PDF viewer and ensure all required form data is entered.
Navigate to 'File' in the top menu bar and select 'Print', or press Ctrl+P (Windows) / Cmd+P (Mac).
In the printer dropdown menu, choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF', 'Adobe PDF', or any other virtual PDF printer installed on your system.
Click 'Print' and choose a destination on your computer to save the new, flattened PDF file.
Open Acrobat, select the 'Combine Files' tool, and add your newly flattened PDF along with the other standard PDFs to merge them successfully.
Use an Alternative Online PDF Merger
Bypass local software restrictions by utilizing online PDF merging tools that automatically process and flatten complex PDF forms during the merge.
Merge PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a powerful, built-in PDF toolkit that makes merging, splitting, and editing PDF files straightforward and efficient. Skip complex format restrictions and manage your documents seamlessly.
- 1. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and navigate to the 'PDF' tab to access the PDF tool suite.
- 2. Select Merge PDF: Click on the 'Merge PDF' icon located in the top toolbar.
- 3. Add Files: Click 'Add Files' to import the flattened forms and any other PDF documents you want to combine.
- 4. Combine Documents: Arrange the files in your preferred order and click 'Merge' to generate your combined PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat recommend a PDF Portfolio instead of merging?
Adobe Acrobat cannot directly merge XFA-based forms (like those created in LiveCycle Designer) with standard AcroForm PDFs because they use fundamentally different underlying structures. A PDF Portfolio is suggested because it bundles the files together in a single container without altering their individual formats.
Will I lose the data entered in my LiveCycle form when flattening it?
No, the data you have already typed into the form will remain visible on the document just like standard text. However, the fields themselves will no longer be interactive, meaning you cannot edit the answers after flattening.
What exactly is an XFA-based PDF?
XFA (XML Forms Architecture) is a proprietary, XML-based form format embedded inside a PDF. It is typically created by Adobe LiveCycle Designer and allows for dynamic form layouts, but it behaves differently from standard PDF files, causing compatibility issues when merging.
Can I make the merged PDF fillable again?
Yes. After you have flattened the LiveCycle PDF and merged it with your other documents, you can use PDF form creation tools in Adobe Acrobat or WPS PDF to manually add new interactive text fields, dropdowns, and checkboxes to the combined document.
