How to Print a Clean Copy of a PDF Form Without Entered Data
Question details
The user needs a method to print a blank, clean version of a filled PDF form without including the data currently entered in the fields.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using print buttons within a PDF document where one button prints the entered data, and another prints a clean copy of the form structure only.
- Observed behavior
- Standard printing includes all typed data by default, requiring specific visibility settings or button actions to exclude the field values from the printout.
Ensure you have a fully featured PDF editor installed, as adjusting form field visibility or configuring interactive button actions requires access to advanced PDF form editing tools.
Change Form Field Properties to Exclude from Printing
Set the text fields so they remain visible on your screen but are completely hidden when the document is sent to the printer.
This is the most straightforward method if you want to keep the data visible for screen reading while always printing a blank form. It does not require complex button actions.
Open your document in your PDF editor and navigate to the 'Form' or 'Prepare Form' toolset.
Highlight or select all the form fields containing the data you want to exclude from the printed copy.
Right-click the selected fields and choose 'Properties'. Go to the 'General' tab.
Locate the 'Form Field' or 'Visibility' dropdown menu and change the setting to 'Visible but doesn't print'. Close the properties window and print your document.
Configure a Print Button to Hide Fields Temporarily
Assign multiple actions to a custom print button to hide the data, trigger the print dialog, and then instantly restore the data.
Configure a Button to Reset the Form
Set a button to completely clear all entered data before printing out the blank form.
Manage and Print Custom PDF Forms with WPS Office
WPS Office features a robust PDF editor that allows you to seamlessly manage form fields, tweak advanced visibility properties, and print customized versions of your PDF documents without complex configurations.
- 1. Open the PDF File: Launch WPS Office and open your filled PDF form.
- 2. Access Form Tools: Navigate to the 'Form' tab at the top of the workspace to access PDF form editing features.
- 3. Edit Field Properties: Click to select the text fields, right-click to choose 'Properties', and locate the visibility settings.
- 4. Apply Print Settings: Set the field visibility to 'Visible but doesn't print' and apply the changes.
- 5. Print the Clean Copy: Go to 'Menu' > 'Print' to print out the document structure completely free of entered data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing a field to 'doesn't print' delete my data permanently?
No, the data remains safely stored within the PDF document and is visible on your computer screen. The setting only instructs the printer to ignore those specific fields during the physical printing process.
Can I have one button for printing with data and another for printing a blank copy?
Yes. You can create a 'Print Blank' button that uses a 'Show/Hide Fields' action to hide the data, execute a print command, and instantly show the data again. A second standard 'Print' button can be used to print the document exactly as it appears on screen.
Why does my printed PDF form look different from what I see on my screen?
This happens when specific form fields have their visibility properties set to 'Visible but doesn't print' or 'Hidden but printable'. You can review and change these settings by opening the document in a PDF editor and inspecting the field properties.
How can I quickly clear all data from a PDF form before printing?
Most PDF readers and editors have a 'Reset Form' option under their form tools. Alternatively, you can create a custom button inside the PDF and assign it the 'Reset a form' action to clear all fields with a single click.
