How to Switch from Digital to Electronic Signature in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to switch back to using a standard electronic signature after selecting a digital signature, as the e-signature option has disappeared.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is trying to sign a PDF document using an electronic signature instead of a certificate-based digital signature.
- Observed behavior
- The option to use an electronic signature is no longer available after previously choosing a digital signature.
Ensure you have your Adobe account credentials ready, as resolving this signing issue may require you to sign out and verify your active subscription status.
Verify Subscription and Reset Acrobat Sign-in
Use this method if your electronic signature tools have disappeared, which often happens due to account synchronization issues.
Adobe Acrobat features like 'Fill & Sign' are closely tied to your Adobe Document Cloud subscription. If the application loses connection with the server or misreads your subscription level, these options might become hidden or disabled.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Sign Out'.
Close Adobe Acrobat completely and then reopen the application.
Click 'Sign In' and enter your Adobe ID credentials associated with your active subscription.
Open your PDF document, navigate to the 'Tools' tab, and select 'Fill & Sign' to use a standard electronic signature instead of the 'Certificates' tool.
Contact Support for Account Verification
If resetting your sign-in status does not restore the electronic signature option, your subscription or workflow permissions may need a backend reset from the provider.
Easily Sign PDFs with WPS Office
Avoid subscription lock-outs and complicated signature workflows. WPS Office includes a robust, free PDF editor that makes adding electronic signatures effortless and reliable without requiring complex setups.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you need to sign.
- 2. Navigate to the Sign tool: Click on the 'PDF' tab, then select 'Fill & Sign' or 'Sign' from the top toolbar.
- 3. Create or apply your signature: Draw, type, or upload an image of your signature and place it anywhere on the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is simply a digital image or typed representation of your physical signature used to signify intent. A digital signature is highly secure and uses cryptographic certificates to authenticate your identity and ensure the document has not been altered.
Why did my 'Fill & Sign' option disappear in my PDF editor?
This often occurs if the document has security restrictions, already contains existing certificate-based digital signatures, or if there is a synchronization issue with your software subscription.
How do I switch from 'Certificates' back to standard signatures?
In your PDF editor's tool menu, close the 'Certificates' or 'Digital Signatures' pane and explicitly open the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Electronic Signature' tool. You may also need to clear your current tool selection by pressing the Escape key.
