How to Create a Fillable PDF Adobe Acrobat DC

How to Create a Fillable PDF

Three Parts:Creating a Fillable PDFAdding and Deleting FieldsTroubleshootingCommunity Q&A

Fillable PDF forms are often used in place of official paper documents when completing important paperwork via the Web. Fillable PDFs can be created using most existing document types, including scanned paper documents, non-interactive PDF forms, spreadsheets, and Word documents.

Part1

Creating a Fillable PDF

1. 
   

   
   1
   Launch Adobe Acrobat on your computer. You must use the full Adobe product to create fillable PDFs; the free version of Adobe Reader cannot create fillable PDFs.^[1]
   

   • Follow these steps to purchase and install the full version of Adobe Acrobat on your computer to create fillable PDF forms.
2. 
   

   
   2
   Click “Tools” and select “Open” under “Prepare Form.”
3. 
   

   
   3
   Choose “Select a file” or “Scan a document.” Acrobat supports numerous file types, including Microsoft Word and Excel documents, scanned paper documents, and non-interactive PDF documents.
4. 
   

   
   4
   Select the file you want converted into a fillable PDF, or follow the on-screen instructions to scan a document.
5. 
   

   
   5
   Click “Start.” Acrobat will automatically detect and add interactive fillable form fields to your file.
6. 
   

   
   6
   Review the document to confirm Acrobat has added all fillable form fields as required.^[2]

Part2

Adding and Deleting Fields

1. 
   

   
   1
   Click on any field you want deleted, then press the “Delete” key on your keyboard. This removes the fillable field from the form.^[3]
2. 
   

   
   2
   Click “Add New Field” in the right sidebar of Acrobat to add another field to the PDF.
3. 
   

   
   3
   Position your cursor where you want the upper-left corner of the fillable field placed.
4. 
   

   
   4
   Click once to add a default-sized field, or click and drag to specify the desired field size.
5. 
   

   
   5
   Type a name for the new field into the yellow tooltip box.
6. 
   

   
   6
   Place a checkmark next to “Required Field” to make this field required for all users.
7. 
   

   
   7
   Click the “All Properties” link in the yellow tooltip box, then customize the field as desired. The Properties menu allows you to edit the field’s appearance and add special options.^[4]
8. 
   

   
   8
   Use the editing tools in the right sidebar of Acrobat to customize your fillable PDF as desired. These tools allow you to align, center, and resize various components on the form.
9. 
   

   
   9
   Click “Preview” at the top right corner of Acrobat when finished. This allows you to view the document as a finished fillable PDF.
10. 
    

    
    10
    Click “Edit” to make additional changes, or “Distribute” to save the document. The document is now saved and ready to be shared with other users.^[5]

Part3

Troubleshooting

1. 
   

   
   1
   Confirm that the form’s security settings are set to allow filling if other users cannot fill out your form. Security settings can be modified under File > Properties > Security.^[6]
2. 
   

   
   2
   Confirm other users are using Adobe Reader 8 or later if they experience problems saving or filling out the PDF. Earlier versions of Reader are not compatible with fillable PDF forms.
3. 
   

   
   3
   Check for hidden objects or unembedded fonts in your form if users receive the error, “This operation is not permitted” when trying to open or submit the form.
   

   • Navigate to Files > Properties > Font to check for unembedded fonts.
   • Embed fonts under Tools > Advanced Editing > TouchUp Text Tool.

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