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How to make a PDF fillable is not as difficult as it may seem. In this tutorial, we will show you how to create a PDF that can be filled in electronically using free software and paid software. We have also included some tips and tricks throughout the post on what kind of formatting techniques work best for fillable forms, and which ones should be avoided.
What is a PDF Fillable?
A fillable PDF is a document that has been converted to be viewed and edited in Adobe Acrobat. The majority of documents created on MS Word, Google Docs, or any other word processing software can easily become fillable PDFs.
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Why would I want to make one?
Fillable PDFs are useful for businesses both large and small. They allow users to electronically fill out forms, saving time on paperwork that would have otherwise been done by hand. Fillable documents can also be locked down so only certain fields are editable, preventing the wrong people from accidentally or maliciously tampering with your form data before it is submitted.
How to make a fillable PDF form using Adobe Acrobat Pro?
The method of creating fillable PDFs outlined in this tutorial requires Adobe Acrobat Pro. If you do not have access to it, please refer to our post on How To Make a Fillable Form Using LibreOffice for FREE.
Step #1: Open or Create your document file in Adobe Acrobat
If the form is already created and saved as a Word (.docx) file, open it in Adobe Acrobat. If the form needs to be created from scratch or a .pdf is preferred, then you can use Adobe’s built-in PDF forms creator that comes with Pro by going to “Create > Advanced Forms > Start Form Wizard“.
Step #2: Fill out any required fields and complete the form
Be sure to complete all required fields before continuing. Also, take note if any fields are not editable or will maintain their formatting (like checkboxes). You can see which items in your document are fillable and locked by going into “Field Chooser” under the tools menu and opening up a category of fields such as text fields or radio buttons.
Step #3: Convert the Form to a Fillable PDF File
Once your form is completely filled out and all required information has been provided, go back into “Create > Advanced Forms” under the Tools menu and select “Convert“. You can also right-click on any selected fields and choose “Convert Field to PDF“.
Step #4: Save the file as a PDF.
You must save your new fillable form in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf) or it will not be editable by users with free versions of Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded from Adobe’s official website. The user should also have the latest version of adobe reader.
In case you’re looking for a video tutorial, here you go.
How to make fillable PDF forms using LibreOffice for FREE?
There are some great FREE alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC such as Swifdoo PDF editor and LibreOffice that allow you to add text box to pdf and a lot more. The video tutorial will show you how to make fillable PDF forms for FREE.
Tips on getting the most out of my fillable PDF document
When creating a fillable PDF, you have to consider what kind of data will be needed. Is there additional information that needs to be gathered? Will it need multiple pages? How much formatting should I allow the user to do in Acrobat when entering their own information? These are all questions that can help determine how large your file is going to be and how long it will take to fill out.
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FAQs about creating and using fillable PDFs
What is the best software for creating fillable PDFs?
The best programs for creating fillable PDFs are paid software, such as Adobe Acrobat Pro. There are also free ways to create your fillable PDF, such as Google Docs.
What is the best software for filling out fillable forms?
When it comes to what software to use for filling out a fillable form, Adobe Acrobat is the go-to. It can be downloaded as a free trial with full capabilities.
What is the best way to make a fillable form?
There are many different ways to create forms for your business, and each one has its pros and cons. Fillable forms are no different, but they’re much more versatile than their paper counterparts.
Can you use Excel to make a fillable PDF document?
Although you can use Excel to save a document as a PDF, it is not recommended. It will give your users the least amount of flexibility when filling out the document, and it will likely be difficult to upload into a web-based system.
Where can I find templates for making fillable PDFs?
There are several websites that offer free fillable PDF templates. A quick Google search for “fillable pdf template” will bring up quite a few results.
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Conclusion
When it comes to what software to use for filling out a fillable form, Adobe Acrobat is the go-to. It can be downloaded as a free trial with full capabilities. In case you can’t afford Adobe Acrobat Pro, try finding their alternatives such as PDFelement, Swifdoo PDF editor, and so on.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Alternatives
- Foxit PDF Editor.
- Swifdoo PDF Editor
- PDFelement.
- Nitro Productivity Platform.
- FineReader PDF for Windows and Mac.
- PDF-XChange Editor.
- Soda PDF Anywhere.
- Drawboard PDF.
