Not every workflow requires locking down an entire PDF form. Sometimes you want to ‘flatten’ (make static) most fields—while keeping others (like signatures or review sections) open for continued editing. With Aspose.PDF.Plugin for .NET, you have precise control: selectively flatten only the fields you choose.
Introduction
Not every workflow requires locking down an entire PDF form. Sometimes you want to ‘flatten’ (make static) most fields—while keeping others (like signatures or review sections) open for continued editing. With Aspose.PDF.Plugin for .NET, you have precise control: selectively flatten only the fields you choose.
Field Selection Logic
- Why selective flattening?
- Lock in completed data for compliance, audit, or approval
- Keep signature fields or comment boxes editable for downstream users
- Support progressive document workflows (e.g., multi-party reviews)
- How does it work?
- Specify the fields to flatten or the fields to leave editable—Aspose.PDF supports both approaches using field names/IDs.
Example: Selectively Flattening Fields (C#)
To selectively flatten PDF form fields, you can use the following approach in your .NET application:
Use Cases
- Compliance: Lock in approvals while allowing a final signature
- HR/Legal: Freeze onboarding data but keep offer acceptance/sign-off open
- Multi-step reviews: Each party flattens only their completed section before passing to the next
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I specify which fields to keep editable? A: Pass the names of fields to flatten; any not listed will remain interactive. You can extract field names programmatically or inspect your PDF using Form Editor tools.
Q: Can I reverse flattening? A: No—flattening is a one-way operation. Always archive the original PDF before flattening any fields.
Q: What if a field is missing from the flatten list? A: Only the fields named in your list are flattened; others are untouched and remain fully editable.
Conclusion
Use selective flattening for compliance-driven workflows—protect completed data while empowering continued collaboration on the same document.
