Creating and working with a fillable PDF document can help you streamline processes and make it easier for people to provide and collect information digitally when they are filling out a job application, a survey, or a feedback form. However, many people struggle with how to make fillable PDFs, such as adding text boxes, drop-down menus, and checkboxes. To do this, you will have to know the best practices for designing and organizing a fillable PDF, the software that can help you make a fillable PDF efficiently. Read this article as we provide you with the necessary information on how to make a fillable PDF in the best way possible.
Part 1: Why Use a Fillable PDF Form
A fillable PDF form offers several advantages over traditional paper forms or non-fillable digital documents. For example, let’s take an example of traditional PDFs.
You won’t be able to edit the traditional PDFs in a way that can help you gather data from multiple users directly into the form fields.
On the other hand, fillable PDF forms provide a convenient and user-friendly way to collect information electronically. Users can type directly into the form fields, eliminating the need for manual handwriting or printing.
Also, since users input information directly into the digital form fields, the chances of errors due to illegible handwriting or manual data entry are significantly reduced. This improves the accuracy of the collected data.
If you are working in an organization, you can integrate fillable PDF files into automated workflows or electronic document management systems. This enables the seamless transfer of data, reduces manual work, and enhances overall efficiency.
Part 2: Create a Fillable PDF Form from PDF Files
1. DocFly (Online PDF Editor)
Step 1: Upload PDF form or create from scratch
You can either select a PDF from your PC or create a form from scratch using the elements provided on the web page.
Step 2: Add form fields to your PDF
Text Field: single text line
Radio: select only one from a group
Checkbox: tick one or more choices
Drop-down menu: choose one or more options from a drop-down list
Step 3: Download or Share
After you are done editing and making a fillable file, you can export the fillable PDF file and download it on your PC. You can also share the file as an attachment in the mail.
Pros
The tool is entirely free to use
It supports all formats and platforms, including Mac and Windows.
Access files from anywhere
Easy-to-use web interface
Cons
Limitations of editing options
Available only with the internet connection
2. WPS Office (Best of All)
Step 1: Prepare A Form
We may need forms in our daily life to collect required information in a meaningful manner. Creating digital forms is the best way to gather this required information. However, if you don’t have access to a form file, you can download a sample structure from the WPS Template Store.
If you don’t know how to download a sample structure form from the WPS website, here’s a complete process you can follow.
1. Download WPS Office, Open the template store, and select the template that meets your requirements. You can also directly go to https://template.wps.com/ to search for a template and edit or download it as you want.
Step 2: Create a Fillable PDF Form
After you have downloaded the PDF version of the form from the templates website of WPS, you can open it in WPS to edit the text boxes and buttons in the fillable PDF.
All you have to do this is follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Open the PDF
2. You can add and edit text boxes in the file as you want.
3. Add icons, pictures, dates, and signatures in the file.
Step 3: Save and share the fillable PDF
Once you have worked on your file and added all the necessary elements in the fillable PDF, you can save and share the file.
That’s all. Using the WPS PDF editor, you have created, edited, and managed the fillable PDF file in an effective way. There are many other tools like this that are provided by the WPS Office Suite.
These include WPS Writer (Word), Spreadsheet (Excel), Presentation (PPT), PDF， Template store, and Resume edit software templates. The best part is that you can use all these tools while using WPS Office for absolutely free.
Pros
Efficient and time-saving method
Secure cloud storage to save your files
Free access to tools and functionalities
High compatibility
Cons
Installation required for operation
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat is a PDF file creator, editor, and manager used on both Windows PCs and Macs to view and edit PDFs. The Pro version of this program can be used to create fillable PDF files that can be edited according to the required information and the data that is needed.
If you don’t know how to make a fillable PDF file, you can refer to the below-provided step by step tutorial to get the reference.
1. Find a PDF file you want to convert to a fillable PDF form and open it with Adobe Acrobat Pro PDF editor on your Mac or Windows.
2. When you open the PDF file, select the “prepare form” option from the left-side options pane to convert your file to a fillable PDF.
3. Add text fields in the places you want, so these places can be converted into editable fields.
4. You can then edit these text fields by right-clicking on the fields and selecting the properties. From here, you can edit the properties of text fields like text, font style, and font color.
Pros
User-friendly interface
Advanced features in the Pro version
Cons
Expensive premium subscription
Needs too much storage space for installation
Many features are available without upgrading to a premium
Part 3: Create a Fillable PDF from a Non-PDF Document
If you want to convert a non-PDF document into a fillable PDF file, it can be quite possible. All you have to do is choose the right software tool to do the job for you. WPS is one such complete Office Suite that can help you convert files to PDF format if your form file is not in PDF format.
Below are a couple of methods that can help you do that.
1.Create a Fillable PDF Form from a Word Document
Step 1. Open a non-PDF form document such as a .docx document in WPS Word and go to the insert tab on the header.
Step 2. In the insert tab, you will find the “forms” option on the extreme right of the header tab. Click it, and you will get a list of options in the drop-down menu. You can use this option to insert fields in the document as you want.
Step 3. If you have added the “text form field” in the document, you can double-click this text field in the document to open a properties tab for further options.
Step 4. After you are done editing the file, you can click “menu” and go to the “export to PDF” option to save your document in the form of a fillable PDF format.
2. Create a Fillable PDF Form from an Excel Spreadsheet
Step 1. Open an Excel file in the Spreadsheet editor of WPS and go to the insert tab. Here you will find the “Forms” option on the extreme right of the main toolbar. In the drop-down menu of the Forms option, you will find options to add form fields to your document.
Step 2. For example, if you want to add a list box or combo box to any cell of the document, you can simply click the option and draw the box on the cell/s.
Step 3. After you are done editing the Excel file, you can go to the “Menu” option on the extreme left and select “Export to PDF.” By clicking this, your file will be converted to a fillable PDF document which you can edit and share further.
Part 4: The Benefits of Creating Fillable PDFs
Streamlined Processes
The format will not be tampered with, and you will be able to share the original file
Easy for others to Edit
Make Fill PDF Easier, When People provide or collect information digitally
FAQs
Q1. What’s the difference between fillable online forms and PDF documents?
Fillable online forms are web-based, interactive forms accessed through a browser, while PDF documents are offline files with the ability to include fillable fields but require PDF reader software for interaction.
Q2. What are the best software and tools for creating fillable PDFs?
There are several software and tools available for creating fillable PDF forms. Here are some popular options:
WPS Office
Adobe Acrobat
Nitro Pro
PDFelement
Formstack
Q3. When I finish a fillable PDF editing and share it, will users be able to open and edit it properly?
Yes, absolutely. After you are done editing and sharing the fillable PDF file, the other users will also be able to edit the file. However, you will have to manage the editing and viewing access of the document accordingly.
Final Thoughts: How to Make a Fillable PDF File
Till now, you have learned how to create, edit, and share fillable PDF files on your PC or Mac device. You also learned about the best fillable PDF file editors and converters to make your work easier. You also got to learn about the best tools available to create fillable PDF files on your PC.
However, the best of all these software tools is the WPS PDF editor. WPS is a complete Office Suite needed for daily office and study work and can also be used to create and edit PDF formats. This software is completely free to use, with a user-friendly interface and both online and offline functionalities and features.
Moreover, you get the whole online library of templates for Word, Excel, and Spreadsheets, where you can select the right template according to your needs.
