How to Restore the Add Signature Option in Adobe Fill & Sign
Question details
The user is unable to add or replace a signature in the Fill & Sign tool because the signature control appears completely disabled.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user needs to change or create a new drawn, typed, or image signature for a document, but the menu is blocking new inputs.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Add Signature' option is missing, and the signature menu only displays a gray minus icon next to the previously saved signature.
Verify that your document permissions allow for filling and signing. If the PDF file is restricted or protected by the author, all signature features will remain disabled regardless of your software settings.
Remove the Existing Signature to Restore the Plus Icon
Adobe Acrobat limits the number of saved signatures. To add a new one, you must clear the existing signature by double-clicking the minus icon.
In many versions of Adobe Acrobat, the Fill & Sign tool restricts you to one primary signature and one initial. When these slots are occupied, the option to add a new signature is hidden or disabled to prevent overriding without user consent.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, open your PDF document, and click on the 'Fill & Sign' option from the right-hand tools pane.
Click the 'Sign yourself' icon (which resembles a pen nib) in the top toolbar to reveal your currently saved signatures.
Locate the gray minus (-) icon next to the existing signature you wish to replace, and strictly double-click it using your left mouse button.
Once the previous signature is removed, the plus (+) icon will reappear. Click it to open the dialog box where you can type, draw, or upload a new signature image.
Easily Add and Manage Signatures with WPS PDF
Skip confusing menu restrictions and easily insert, manage, and scale your electronic signatures using the built-in PDF tools in WPS Office.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you need to sign.
- 2. Navigate to the Insert Tab: On the top ribbon menu, click on the 'Insert' tab and locate the 'Sign' or 'PDF Signature' button.
- 3. Create a New Signature: Click 'Create Signature'. A window will appear allowing you to instantly type, draw, or import a picture of your signature.
- 4. Place and Save: Click 'OK' and simply tap anywhere on your document to place the signature. You can resize or drag it into the perfect position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Fill and Sign tool completely grayed out in Adobe Acrobat?
This usually happens if the PDF is digitally secured by the author or uses certificate-based security, which prevents modifications. You can check the document's security properties under File > Properties > Security to see if signing is allowed.
Can I save multiple signatures in Adobe Fill and Sign?
Adobe Fill and Sign natively supports saving one primary signature and one initial. If you need a completely different signature, you must delete the existing one first using the minus icon.
Why does double-clicking the minus icon not work in my version of Acrobat?
User interface controls can vary between different updates of Adobe Acrobat. If double-clicking doesn't work, try clicking the minus icon once, or hover over the signature to look for a small 'x' or 'delete' text prompt.
Is it possible to edit an existing signature image instead of deleting it?
No, Adobe Fill & Sign does not allow direct editing or tweaking of an already saved signature. You must remove the current signature and create a completely new one.
