Affinity Publisher - Failure to open a new PDF file.

[BillKress]

PC: Windows 11/64

Application:  Affinity Publisher 2.2.0 also with previous versions of Publisher.

When PDF files (attached) is dragged into Publisher, I get the Error message: This file type is not supported.

Same error when right click on PDF and Open With Publisher and with Publisher Open -> File -> pdf file

Note that the attached PDF files can be opened by the newest Acrobat Reader for PC (2023.006.20320). It cannot be opened by older versions of Acrobat Pro (e.g., 9). 

Affinity Publisher can open older versions of PDF files.

family_tree_magazine_nov-dec-2022.pdf family_tree_magazine_jul-aug-2023.pdf

[MikeW]

The type of password security means it can only be opened in Acrobat/Reader version 10 or newer. This pdf also technically has fillable form fields--I took a quick look and didn't find any so this is just how InDesign created the pdf.

Both those things make the pdf not gonna open or place in APub for different reasons. First is the interactive form issue. Once that has been removed they should place. But you'll need to remove the password to change the type of pdf from interactive to say a print pdf.

[walt.farrell]

46 minutes ago, BillKress said:

Affinity Publisher can open older versions of PDF files.

Those PDFs have restricted editing capabilities, based on their security settings. Here's what Acrobat Reader shows for the July-August one, for example:

Given those "Not Allowed" restrictions, I'm not surprised that Publisher can't make use of those files.

[MikeW]

I was wrong. Once the password is removed, the files will open/place in APub. APub will strip the ghost form fields.

[David in Яuislip]

2 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

Those PDFs have restricted editing capabilities, based on their security settings.

It's not too difficult to modify these files so that they can be opened/placed in Publisher or opened in a browser with copying enabled but this stuff is copyrighted and that should be respected, so no hints from me

[Dan C]

Thanks for your report @BillKress!

I can confirm that there is a known issue logged with our development team regarding the error message shown when trying to open a PDF that has been password protected using Acrobat.

I'll be 'bumping' this issue with our dev team now to bring it to their attention once again - I hope this helps

[Affinity Info Bot]

The issue "Unable to place/open password protected PDF created by Acrobat" (REF: AF-121) has been fixed by the developers in internal build "2.3.0.2106".
This fix should soon be available as a customer beta and is planned for inclusion in the next customer release.
Customer beta builds are announced here and you can participate by following these instructions.
If you still experience this problem once you are using that build version (or later) please reply to this thread including @Serif Info Bot to notify us.