In today’s world, sharing documents electronically is part of everyday life, but you might not always want others to copy, edit, or print the files you’ve worked hard on. In this article, I’ll show you how to protect PDF file from editing, copying or printing for free without using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or any other paid software.
Protecting our document or PDF files is essential for maintaining privacy and security. However, many people don’t know how to protect PDFs without using Acrobat Pro DC.
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Whether you’re a student, a small business owner, or someone who loves sharing creative work, learning how to secure your PDF files can help you maintain control over your content. For this you do not have to purchase Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or any other costly software. There’s an easy way to protect your PDF files with password using LibreOffice, and the best part? It’s completely free!
Why Use LibreOffice to Protect PDF file?
LibreOffice is a private, free and open source office suite, which is available for Windows, MacOs and Linux operating system. LibreOffice lets you do much more than just create documents or spreadsheets. It includes a feature to export files as PDFs with restrictions, such as disabling editing, copying, or printing. You don’t need to purchase expensive software to view, edit and keep your files safe.
Without wasting your time, let’s dive into the simple step-by-step guide to protect your PDF with LibreOffice from copying, editing, or printing for free.
Protect PDF File from Editing or Copying without Acrobat Pro DC
Easily secure and protect your PDF file from editing, copying or printing for free using LibreOffice. Follow these below simple steps to keep your documents safe & secure.
Step 1: Install LibreOffice (if you haven’t already)
- Download LibreOffice from its official website.
- Follow the installation instructions. It’s straightforward and doesn’t take much time.
Step 2: Open Your Document in LibreOffice
- Launch LibreOffice, and open the file you want to protect.
- If your file is in a different format (like DOCX or ODT), LibreOffice will automatically convert it to PDF when you open it.
Step 3: Export Your File as a PDF
- Once your document is ready, go to the File menu and choose Export As > Export as PDF.This will bring up a new window with options specifically for PDFs.
Step 4: Set PDF Restrictions
Now, this is where you can add protection to your PDF file. See screenshot:
- In the PDF Options window that opens, select the Security tab.
Initially, all options will be grayed out and inactive. They will become available once you set the password.
Click on Set Passwords
- Here, you’ll see various options like:
- Set Open Password: Use this if you want to require a password just to open the file. If you want everyone to view your PDF’s content, leave it blank.
- Set Permissions Password: This is the option you’ll want to prevent editing, copying or printing. When you choose this, you can set a password to control these permissions.
Once you set your password all options will be active now and you can select as per your need. Here are the option which you can choose to protect your PDF file from editing, copying & printing.
- Printing: Not Permitted – Select this if you don’t want the PDF to be printed by others.
- Changes: Not Permitted – Select this and it will stop anyone from making changes to your file. So select any other option you like.
- Content: Uncheck the “Enable copying of content” – This option blocks users from copying any text or images from your PDF.
Step 5: Save and Protect
- After setting your preferred restrictions and adding a permissions password, click Export.
- LibreOffice will ask you to name your file and choose where to save it. Make sure to choose a memorable name and location on your computer.
Congratulations, your PDF is password protected! Only people with the password will be able to edit, copy, or print it.
Why Add These Restrictions?
Protecting your PDFs is useful in various situations, such as:
- Sharing confidential business documents: You can control who can modify or print them.
- Submitting academic work: If you’re sending research, you can prevent others from easily copying it.
- Sharing creative work: If you’re sharing your photography or graphic design, this ensures people can’t duplicate your work without permission.
Important Tips
- Remember your password! Since you’ve added a permissions password, be sure to keep it somewhere safe. If you forget it, you may lose the ability to change the restrictions on your PDF later.
- Test your PDF: After exporting, open the PDF and try to perform actions like copying or printing to make sure the restrictions are in place.
Final Thoughts
With LibreOffice, protecting your PDF files doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive process. By following these simple steps, you can easily stop others from editing, copying or printing your files. Now, you can share your documents with peace of mind, knowing they’re secure.
If you have any questions or run into issues, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I protect a PDF from being copied or edited for free?
You can protect a PDF for free by using tools like LibreOffice. Open your document in LibreOffice, then export it as a PDF with security settings. You can set permissions to block copying or editing and add a password to lock these settings.
Can I prevent someone from printing a PDF?
Yes, you can prevent printing of a PDF. When exporting your file as a PDF in LibreOffice or similar tools, you can choose to disable the printing option by setting specific permissions and adding a password to lock the document.
What is the easiest way to secure a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?
LibreOffice provides a simple, free way to secure a PDF. You just open your file, export it as a PDF, and set restrictions like blocking editing, copying, or printing. No need for expensive software like Adobe Acrobat.
Is there a free tool to password-protect PDF files?
Yes, LibreOffice is a free tool that lets you password-protect PDF files. It allows you to set both an open password (to view the file) and a permissions password (to restrict copying, editing, and printing).
What software can I use to restrict editing of a PDF for free?
LibreOffice is a free software option that allows you to restrict editing of PDF files. You can use the export feature to set permissions that block editing, copying, and printing.
How to protect PDF file with a password for free?
You can protect PDF file with a password for free using LibreOffice. Open your document, go to File > Export As > Export as PDF, then navigate to the Security tab. Here, you can set an open password, which will be required to view the file. You can also set a permissions password to control actions like editing, copying, or printing. Once you’ve set the password, export the file, and your PDF will be protected.
