# Sign in Preview Document mode

For best results, use the Preview Document feature when you sign documents. This feature analyzes the document for content that may alter the document’s appearance, and then suppresses that content, allowing you to view and sign the document in a static and secure state.

When you view a PDF in Preview Document mode, a document message bar lets you know if the PDF complies with the PDF/SigQ Level A and Level B specification. Level A indicates that the document contains no dynamic content that can alter its appearance. Level B indicates that the document contains dynamic content that can be suppressed during signing. If the document doesn’t comply with Level A or B, you may want to refrain from signing the document and contact the document author about the problem.

You can also use Preview Document mode outside of a signing workflow to check the integrity of a document.

### Sign a PDF in Preview Document mode

1. Choose Edit > Preferences (Windows/UNIX) or Reader > Preferences (Mac OS), and select Security on the left.
2. Select View Documents In Preview Document Mode When Signing, and click OK.
3. In the PDF, click the signature field, or click the Sign button in the Tasks toolbar and choose Sign Document or Place Signature.

   The document message bar appears with the compliance status and options.

4. (Optional) Click View Report in the document message bar (if available) and select each item in the list to show details. When you’re done, close the PDF/SigQ Conformance dialog box.
5. If you’re satisfied with the compliance status of the document, click Sign Document in the document message bar, and add your digital signature.
6. Save the PDF using a different name than the original, and close the document without making any further changes. If you save the document a second time, your signature must be verified by using the View Signed Version option in the Signatures panel. (See View previous versions of a signed document.)

### View a PDF in Preview Document mode

1. Choose Document > Sign > Preview Document.
2. In the document message bar, click View Report (if available) and select each item in the list to show details. When you’re done, click Close, and then click Exit.