How to Create a Fillable PDF File (with Images)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 08:07

Fillable PDF forms are usually used instead of official printed documents to complete important requirements on the internet. You can create forms from most document types, including scanned paper documents, non-interactive PDF forms, spreadsheets, and Word documents. This wikiHow teaches you how to create a fillable PDF form from any document using Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Creating Forms from Documents

Step 1. Open Adobe Acrobat DC on the computer

Adobe Acrobat DC is the official application from Adobe with a subscription service for creating and managing PDF files. Both the Standard and Pro versions allow you to create fillable PDF forms.

• To find out how to get Adobe Acrobat, search and read articles on how to install Adobe Acrobat.

  

• Adobe Acrobat Pro offers a free trial period. If you want to give it a try, follow this link to visit Adobe's website.

  

Step 2. Click the Tools menu

This menu is at the top of the application window.

Step 3. Click Prepare Form

It's a purple icon in the middle of the window.

Step 4. Click Select a File

This option allows you to import forms from other files (eg Word, Excel, or non-fillable PDF files) into Acrobat.

• If you want to scan a printed document, click “ Scan a document ”, then follow the on-screen instructions to import the document from the scanner.

  

Step 5. Select the document you want to import

Double-click the document name to do so.

• If you want to require the user to sign a document, check the box next to " This document requires a signature ".

  

Step 6. Click Start to create the form

The selected file will be imported into Acrobat. After that, the application will create fields that can be filled in based on the appearance of the document. You can edit these columns and add new columns as needed.

Part 2 of 3: Editing Form Fields

Step 1. Click the Tools menu and select Prepare Forms.

This menu is at the top of the screen. You will enter the form editing mode. After importing a form, you can edit existing fields, create new fields, or add other elements such as menus and lists.

Step 2. Edit the existing text fields

Acrobat will create columns based on the layout of the document. A list of columns is displayed in the right pane, under the " Fields " heading. Here are some things that can be followed to change the fields that have been created by the program:

• To resize a column, click the column once until it is surrounded by a constraint, then drag the constraint until the column is the size you want.

  

• To delete a column, click the column once to select it, then press the Delete key on the keyboard.

  

• See step five for more customization tips in column editing.

Step 3. Click the “Text Field” tool to add a new column

This tool is indicated by the letter “T” icon with the cursor and is located in the icon bar at the top of the document.

• To copy an existing column, right-click the column and select “ Copy ”.

  

Step 4. Click the location where you want to add a text field

Once clicked, a column with the program's default size will be added at the selected point. If you want to draw a column yourself so you can determine its size, click and drag the cursor to set the size you want. Once the column is placed, a yellow box will be displayed.

• To place the copied column, right-click the desired area and select Paste ”.

  

Step 5. Type the column name in the " Field Name " box

This name is for personal reference only and will not be displayed in the final version of the form.

• If an existing field is required by the user, check the box next to " Required field ", under the " Field Name " box.

  

Step 6. Click All Properties to access the column editing tool

This new dialog box allows you to edit column views and add custom options.

Step 7. Edit the text fields

In the "Text Field Properties" dialog box, click the various tabs to view column format options.

• Click the tab Options ” to add features such as spell checker, double line typing, and character restrictions.

  

• Click the tab Appearance ” to adjust the color and font options of the entry.

  

• Click Actions ” so that the column can perform certain functions based on the entered text/entry.

  

• Click Close ” after finishing editing the text field.

  

Step 8. Add buttons, menus and other options

The other icons next to the “Text Field” tool at the top of the document represent features you can add to the form. Hover over each different piece of equipment to see what kind of feature it represents. There are a few other features you can add:

• To add a list, click the checkbox tool or radio button, and then select the location where you want to place the box or button. You can click Add Another Button ” to add next option or select “ All Properties ” to customize the character/aspect list.

  

• To add a drop-down menu, select one of the menu options with the small arrow in the toolbar, then customize the menu as desired.

  

• To require the user to add his/her signature, click the pen icon and signature line, then click where to sign.

  

• To add a button, click the “ OK ” on the toolbar, place it in the desired location, then click “ All Properties ” to make adjustments.

  

Part 3 of 3: Saving and Sharing Forms

Step 1. Click Preview in the upper right corner of the window to preview the form

With this preview, you can preview and test the document.

Step 2. Click Edit to return to editing mode

It's in the upper-right corner of the program window. You will return to editing mode and can make final changes if necessary.

Step 3. Save the form to the computer

Click the menu " File ” in the upper left corner of the window and select “ Save As " After that, specify the file storage location and click “ Save ”.

You can reopen and edit the form at any time

Step 4. Click Distribute

As long as you're in editing mode, it's in the lower-right corner of Acrobat's right pane. If you want to send a form to a recipient using this feature, the results of filling out the form will automatically be collected in the format you want.

• If you don't see the option " Distribute ”, make sure you click the “button Edit ” in the upper right corner of the screen first to return to editing mode.
• You may be asked to make further adjustments at this stage, depending on the type of element added to the form. Follow the on-screen prompts if prompted.

Step 5. Select the method of receiving the form results

If you want to get the results of filling out the form via email, select the option “ E-mail If you have set up a web server to collect results, select “ Internal Server ” and follow the on-screen prompts to assign the server.

Step 6. Click Continue

If you email the form, you will be asked to enter some additional information.

Step 7. Enter the recipient's email address

Separate each address with a comma (,). If you're not ready to send the form to someone else, enter your own email address.

Step 8. Type a custom message to display in the email to complete the form

Step 9. Define tracking preferences

Select "Collect Name & Email from Recipients to Provide Optimal Tracking" if you want to see the recipient's name and email address in the reply email. You can also enable or disable the feature that allows recipients to submit forms as anonymous.

Step 10. Follow the on-screen instructions to submit the created form

The form will appear in the recipient's inbox as an email attachment.

Tips

If the recipient or user sees a "This operation is not permitted" error message while filling out the form, there may be hidden objects or fonts that are not embedded in the document. Access menu " File” > “Properties” > “Font ” to check if there are unmounted fonts in the PDF document.