A PDF form that has to be printed, filled in by hand and scanned wastes everyone's time and produces illegible data. A properly built interactive form can be completed on a phone, is legible by definition, and comes back as a document you can read and file.
PDF Forms works in both directions: fill in existing AcroForm fields in a document someone sent you, and add your own fields — text boxes, checkboxes, radio groups, dropdowns and date fields — to a flat PDF to turn it into a form others can complete.
How to use PDF Forms
- 1Upload your PDF. Existing form fields are detected automatically and become fillable.
- 2To build a form, place new fields on the page and set their type, name and whether they are required.
- 3Set the tab order so keyboard users move through the form logically.
- 4Fill the form yourself, or save the fillable version to distribute.
- 5Optionally flatten the completed form so the answers become permanent page content.
Flattened or fillable — pick deliberately
Leaving the form fillable means the recipient can still change answers, which is right for a draft or a form being passed along. Flattening bakes the responses into the page so they cannot be altered, which is right for a submitted or signed copy. Keep both versions where it matters.
Field names carry the data
Every field has an internal name, and that is what appears when form data is exported or read by another system. Name fields meaningfully — 'applicant_surname' rather than 'Text3' — and any downstream processing becomes far easier.
Forms and signatures together
Most forms end in a signature. Complete the fields here, then use Sign PDF to place a signature and date on the finished document.
Supported formats, limits and things to know
- Supports standard AcroForm fields. XFA forms (used by some government portals) are not supported.
- Field-level JavaScript calculations and validations are not created by this tool.
- Encrypted documents must be unlocked first.
- Form authoring is free — to build a form from a blank page instead, use PDF Form Builder.
PDF Forms — frequently asked questions
Can I fill in a PDF form that already has fields?
Yes. Existing AcroForm fields are detected on upload and become fillable immediately.
Can I add fields to a flat PDF?
Yes. Place text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdowns and date fields anywhere on the page.
Should I flatten the form when I am done?
Flatten it if the answers should be final and unalterable. Leave it fillable if the recipient still needs to edit.
Why will my government form not open properly?
Some official forms use XFA, a different and largely deprecated technology that this tool does not support. Those usually require Adobe Acrobat.
Can I sign the form as well?
Yes — complete the fields here, then add a signature with the Sign PDF tool.