My file was refused
Every upload message explained: wrong file type, password-protected PDF, size and document limits, and Word files that won't convert.
SignSpry takes PDF, Word (.docx) and plain text (.txt) up to 50 MB. Find the message you got below; each one says what to change.
What you see
Wrong kind of file:
- Images can't be signed directly — the signing page needs a document with pages. Put the image in a Word file or export it as a PDF first.
- Legacy Word files (.doc) can't be read. Open it in Word or Google Docs and save as .docx or PDF, then upload that.
- That looks like an Excel or PowerPoint file. Export it as a PDF and upload the PDF.
- That's a zip archive. Upload the document inside it, not the archive.
- That format isn't supported. Export it as a PDF or a Word .docx and upload that. (for .pages, .odt and .rtf)
- XYZ files aren't supported. Upload a PDF, Word (.docx) or plain text (.txt)., with your file's extension in place of XYZ.
- That file couldn't be read as a PDF, Word (.docx) or plain text (.txt). The extension is fine but the contents are not that type.
A PDF that can't be opened:
- That PDF is password-protected. Remove the password and upload it again.
- That PDF couldn't be read — it may be corrupt. Try re-saving it and uploading again.
- That document couldn't be read — it may be corrupt or password-protected.
Size and count:
- Files must be under 50 MB.
- Text files must be under 2 MB.
- an envelope can hold up to 10 documents
- file is larger than 25 MB when importing from a cloud link.
Empty or unconvertible files:
- That file is empty. / That text file is empty. / No file was chosen.
- That Word file has no readable content.
- That Word file couldn't be converted. Save it as a PDF from Word and upload the PDF instead.
- That text file couldn't be converted.
When you start a new envelope and every file is refused, you go back to the dashboard and it shows the reason for the first file.
Why
Every upload is checked twice: the extension must be one SignSpry accepts, and the bytes must really be that kind of file. An executable renamed to .pdf fails the second check. A .js file fails the first. Both checks apply to the browser upload, Add document, templates, cloud links and the API.
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Size of one file | 50 MB |
| Documents in one envelope | 10 (a new envelope takes the first 10 files you choose) |
| Plain text file | 2 MB |
| Cloud-link import | 25 MB |
Word and text are turned into PDF on the way in, because signing needs fixed pages.
Every PDF is also cleaned on the way in. SignSpry removes scripts, open and launch actions, embedded files and attachments, the XFA forms layer and media annotations, because none of them belong in a document a signer opens. Ordinary links and form fields stay. The audit trail records what was removed, with counts. This is not a refusal and needs no action.
Fix it
Wrong kind of file
- Open the file in the program that made it.
- Use Save as or Export to produce a PDF (or
.docxfor Word documents). - Upload the new file.
For a photo or scan, put it on a page first, then export that page as a PDF.
Password-protected or corrupt PDF
- Open the PDF in your PDF reader and remove the password (or print it to a new PDF).
- For "corrupt", open it once to check it displays, then save a fresh copy with Save as.
- Upload the new copy.
Too big or too many
- Under 50 MB: compress the PDF in your PDF program, or export it at a lower image quality.
- Over 10 documents: merge related files into one PDF, or split them over two envelopes.
- For plain text over 2 MB, export it as a PDF instead.
A Word file won't convert
- In Word choose Save as and pick PDF.
- Upload the PDF.