How to Create a Fillable PDF ( With or Without Acrobat )

To create a digital form, you must ensure that the document you create has editable fields. A fillable PDF is one of the most convenient ways to create a form that can be easily circulated and used for data collection. Several institutions use a fillable PDF as their go-to method for collecting information. However, many users wonder how these fillable PDFs are created. 

You see, editing a PDF is a tough task, considering it is a read-only document. Only an individual who has created the file can usually edit it. How is it possible to create a PDF that every user can fill?

In this post, let us look at ways you can create a fillable PDF for your use. We will also learn how to convert any PDF into a fillable document and edit it as you see fit. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Why Do You Need a Fillable PDF

Manual forms have become a thing of the past. Today, everything you need is digital; the same goes for documents. When you join a Job, apply for a course, or practically fill out any form, you are expected to Email it. You cannot use a hard copy for this purpose. Hence, the ultimate solution to that becomes a Fillable PDF.

There are so many benefits of using a fillable PDF. Some of them are – 

Sorted Workflow & Documentation: The first thing that a fillable PDF eliminates is the effort of manually filling a form and getting it filled by every individual. Printing out forms and handing them over to collect after everyone has filled them out is quite a long process. With fillable PDFs, you can complete such tasks in a single mail with all the recipients. 

Enhanced Precision & No Manipulation: While filling out a form, several users tend to miss out on fields and submit it incomplete. But with a fillable PDF, that can never be the case; a condition that requires all the mandatory fields to be filled out can be introduced. Not to mention, the chances of editing become significantly low, as unlike a Word document, a PDF cannot be edited easily. 

Use of Digital Data Sorting Gets Easier: Another crucial advantage of using fillable PDFs is that using the collected raw data becomes simpler. Think about it: with manual forms, you need an individual to work on entering the data collected into software that will sort the data and process it. However, with a filled PDF, you have to map fields and feed the PDF to the software, and it will get the rest done!

Besides these, the simple fact that a PDF is much more convenient to interact with, considering it can be opened on smartphones and requires no added software, makes it an interesting choice to create forms. 

2 Ways to Create a Fillable PDF

Method 1 – Create a Fillable Form From Word Doc

You can use the Word document to create a fillable PDF. You can easily create a Word document and leave the fields blank so Adobe Acrobat Pro can detect it later. Check out the steps below to find out how things work. 

Step 1 – Open the Word document in MS Word to ensure you have created the blank fields.
Step 2 – Save this file as a PDF so that you can open it in the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Step 3 – Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro and navigate to Tools.
Step 4 – Select the Prepare Form option from the Forms and Signatures sections in the tools.

Step 5 – Select the converted file to open in the Adobe Acrobat.
Step 6 – Once the file is open, the tool automatically detects the fields you left blank.

Step 7 – You may find added tools in the top bar to help you select more fields if the autodetect fails. 

Once all the fields are set, save the file and exit your tool. Now open the editable file and check if you can simply edit it. 

Method 2 – Create a Fillable PDF Online Free

There are several conversion tools available to you for creating a fillable PDF. There are online tools for everything. Online tools are the best, especially when it comes to conversions, as they are accessible from anywhere. All you need to do is – 

Step 1 – Open an online PDF form converter platform on your computer.
Step 2 – Upload a document that you want to convert. Choose from the format mentioned on the tool for processing.

Step 3 – Click on Convert to open the online editor for conversion.

Step 4 – Map your fields to set the form as you see fit. Make sure all the fields are blank.

Step 5 – Generate your output file and recheck it to find the editable document.

The only downside with such tools is that you are unsure which tool does the job without errors. Also, uploading your documents is not advised, as privacy policies can be shady, so be careful. 

Fill Any PDF Form With Systweak PDF Editor:  Convert Any PDF into Form

If you are at the receiving end of a PDF form and the file is not editable, do not worry; we have a tool just for you. Systweak PDF editor allows you to edit PDF documents as you see fit. This means that even if there’s a form that does not have editable fields in it, you can fill it out. 

How? Well, Systweak PDF Editor is a complete editing suite that allows you to create your fields in the document, sign a PDF, add text and annotations to it, and whatnot. And the best part is that you do not need a fillable PDF. You can use any PDF and edit it to fill out the form. 

Here’s how it works – 

Step 1 – Download and Install the tool on your PC via the link below.

Step 2 – Launch the Application and click on Open PDF to select a document you want to fill/edit.

Step 3 – Click the Edit PDF tab on the top bar to find multiple options after the PDF opens.
Step 4 – You Can click on Add Text to create a text field and enter your answer manually.

Step 5 – If you feel that the space is taken up by something else that is not useful, click Edit Text and remove it easily. 

The tool is handy if you use PDF documents regularly, as it allows you to alter text in PDF and do much more. Download today to make the best of your PDF documents. 

If you have any other doubts about fillable PDFs and how to sign a PDF or edit a PDF, drop us a comment, and we will revert. That will be all for this one. Thanks for reading, good luck!

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PDF Editing 101 – How to Add a Blank Page to Existing PDF