Sometimes to upload a document into a loop, the document will need to be flattened. Flattening a PDF will stop any interactive fields from being editable and simplifies the PDF, making it easier to upload, as well as ensuring complete compatibility with the dotloop program.

• Apple
• Windows

Apple

The new macOS version 10.15 will allow you to flatten your PDF in a few easy steps, however, it will require you to be updated to Catalina.

Step 1: Open your PDF with Preview

To begin, ensure that you have your PDF downloaded onto your computer. Once you locate the file, right-click (or cmd+click) and select Open with in the menu. Choose Preview.

Step 2: Export PDF

Once you have opened the PDF in Preview, navigate to the top of the screen and click File, choose Export as PDF..., and save the newly flattened document in the desired location on your computer.

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 Windows

To ensure we are properly flattening the PDF file in Windows, you will want to first ensure you have Adobe Reader installed onto your computer.

Step 1: Open your PDF with Adobe Reader

To begin, ensure that you have your PDF downloaded onto your computer. Once you locate the file, right-click and select Open with in the menu. Choose Adobe reader.

Step 2: Choose to print

Once you have opened the PDF in Preview, navigate to the top of the screen and click File, choose Print...

Step 3: Select Microsoft print to PDF as your printer

On the Printer: dropdown list choose the Microsoft print to PDF option.

Step 4: Choose the Print as image advanced option

Click on the Advanced button, then in the new window, ensure you have the Print as image option checked. Once this is done, click OK.

Step 5: Click the Print button and save

In this final step, you will click on the Print button at the bottom of the window and save the newly flattened document in the desired location on your computer.

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