DocumentationExperience Cloud KCS

Enable attachment fields and Reader Extensions in Adobe Designer 6.5 PDF forms

Last update: October 9, 2026

This article describes how to enable file attachment fields in PDF forms created with Adobe Designer 6.5 and ensure these features function after applying Reader Extensions, including important configuration steps and limitations.

Description description

Environment

  • Adobe Designer 6.5
  • Adobe Acrobat (all versions)
  • AEM Forms Reader Extensions (on-premises)

Issue/Symptoms

PDF forms created with Adobe Designer 6.5 may require users to attach files and save filled forms. After applying Reader Extensions, attachment functionality may not work if the correct rights are not enabled. Designer-created PDFs also have limitations with Acrobat’s Combine Files tool due to their structure.

  • The Add Attachments button or script does not function after Reader Extensions are applied.
  • Users cannot use the Combine Files tool in Acrobat with Designer-created PDFs.

Cause

Acrobat’s built-in Reader Extension does not grant the necessary rights for file attachments (importDataObject). Only AEM Forms Reader Extensions with the correct options enabled allow attachment functionality. The Combine Files tool is restricted by the PDF structure generated by Designer.

Resolution resolution

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue:

  1. Open your PDF form in Adobe Designer 6.5.

  2. Add a button or field to your form for attachments:

    1. Drag a Button from the Standard Library onto your form layout.

    2. Select the button and open the Script Editor.

    3. Set the Script Editor filters to:

      • Show: click
      • Language: JavaScript
      • Run At: Client

  3. Enter the following JavaScript code: event.target.importDataObject({cName: "AttachmentName"});

  4. Save your changes.

  5. Apply Reader Extensions using AEM Forms Reader Extensions (on-premises):

    • When configuring Reader Extensions, explicitly select the following rights:

      • Import/Export Form Data
      • File Attachment

    • Do not rely on Acrobat’s built-in Reader Extension, as it does not grant the necessary rights for attachments.

  6. Save the Reader-extended PDF.

  7. Test the PDF in Acrobat:

    1. Open the PDF in Acrobat and verify that the attachment button allows users to add files.
    2. Confirm that users can save the filled form with attachments.
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