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How to create a PDF form in Acrobat

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Create a fillable PDF form using your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or scanned documents in a few simple steps.

Create a blank PDF, add form fields, and save the form

  • Can I create a fillable PDF form from scratch in Acrobat?
    Yes, you can simply create a blank PDF, add labels and fields you need, and save it. Get step-by-step instructions for creating a PDF form.

  • Can I create a fillable PDF form from an existing document in Acrobat?
    Yes, you can create a PDF form from a printed paper or existing Word files. Acrobat recognizes and converts static fields to fillable ones with a form wizard. See Create a form from an existing document.

  • What are the form fields?
    Form fields are data fields available to let you collect data from the filled form. Acrobat provides various field types to help you collect the right type of data, in the right format. See PDF form field basics.
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How to use form fields, action buttons, calculations, data and time, and submit button in a PDF form

  • What are the various form fields that I can use in a PDF form?
    You can use text boxes, drop-down lists, radio buttons, checkboxes, list boxes, and more. Set the form field properties like text resizing, date fields, calculations, or trigger custom scripts, to define fields' behavior. Learn more.
  • How do I add a clear form or reset form button to my form?
    A clear or reset form button clears any data that a user has already entered in the form. You can also set up the reset button so that it clears only specific fields. Learn more.
  • How do I add a submit button to my form?
    When you distribute a form, Acrobat automatically checks the form. If it doesn’t find a submit button, it adds a Submit Form button to the document message bar. Users can click the Submit Form button to send completed forms back to you. Learn more.
  • Can I add action buttons in a PDF form?
    Yes, you can add action buttons in a form to open files, play sound or movie clips, submit data to web servers, and more. Learn more.
  • How do I change the size of the form fields?
    To resize the field manually, drag the border handle. You can also resize the form field by one pixel or to a specific dimension. Learn more.
  • How do I move fields in a PDF form?
    You can move form fields by simply dragging them. Learn more.
  • Why is the form's data getting copied when one field is filled?
    If you copy form fields and paste them into the same form, the fields share the name and properties of the copied cell. To resolve the issue, double-click the field to open the Properties window. In the General tab, change the name of the field. Repeat this step for all the copied fields. Learn more.
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PDF form fields

  • How do I use basic calculations in PDF form?
    The calculations like sum, product, average, minimum, and maximum can be done using predefined calculations. Learn more.
  • How to add a tooltip to a form field?
    Double-click a selected form field to open the Properties window. In the General tab, type a description into the tooltip box. Learn more.
  • How to create a flowable text field?
    Double-click a selected text field to open the Properties window. In the Options tab, select Multi-Line and Scroll Long Text. Learn more.
  • How to make a field required or not required?
    Double-click a selected form field to open the Properties window. In the General tab, to make the field mandatory, select Required. To make the field optional, deselect Required. Learn more.

  • How to make a field read-only?
    Double-click a selected form field to open the Properties window. In the General tab, select Read Only. Learn more.
  • How do I add a barcode form field?
    In Acrobat, select All Tools > Prepare a form. Select the Barcode icon () in the toolbar and place it on your form. Learn more.
  • How do I add a date and time field?
    When you create a form in Acrobat, select the Date field icon in the toolbar. Then select the location in the document where you want to place the field. Learn more.

How to publish or distribute a form

  • How do I send a PDF form for filling?
    You can send or distribute your PDF form right from within Acrobat. Open the form and click Distribute. Choose how you want to collect the responses - in your email Inbox or on a server. See distributing PDF forms.
     
  • Can I publish a PDF form online?
    Yes, you can publish your PDF form and collect information over the web. Learn more.
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How to track distributed forms and collect data

  • How do I track my sent form and view responses?
    When you open a submitted form in Acrobat, the Add Completed Form To Responses File dialog box is displayed. Select Create A New Responses File. The response file opens after you click OK. Learn more.
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How to fill and sign a PDF form

  • How do I fill a PDF form?
    Open the PDF form in Acrobat or Reader, and choose All tools > Fill & Sign to fill a PDF form. Learn more.

  • How do I save or print PDF forms?
    Open the PDF form in Acrobat or Reader, choose File (macOS) or the hamburger menu  (Windows) > Save As, and save the file. To print the form, choose File (macOS) or the hamburger menu (Windows) > Print. Learn more.

  • Can I add multiple signatures in a PDF form?
    Yes. Using the Fill and Sign tool in Acrobat, you can add multiple signatures to your PDF form. Learn more.

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