How to create editable PDF form fields using Acrobat X

Is there a way of extracting only the data that was entered into the fillable parts of a form into excel to create a summary of all the forms completed?

Hi Mandy,

Can you post your question in our Answerbase forum for a faster response:

https://answers.acrobatusers.com/AskQuestion.aspx

Thanks,

Patty

I have created an editable form to send to our sales team to update as required (with prices etc). Once updated, they need to be able to save this as an uneditable document to send to customers. However, when I save as, the doc is still showing editable fields. Can you please advise?

Hi Alex Newell,

The latest version of Reader allows recipients to save the form data (without needing the reader-enable the file) so this probably won’t be an issue with the workbook.

Thanks,
Lori

A friend of mine is considering selling a workbook created with Adobe. Your comment at the end of the video about licensing is useful especially since she wants to use an editable workbook which her customers would fill in.

How can she ensure that she is OK w.r.t licensing?

Thanks!

Hi 95833356,

If you use the Distribute command in Acrobat, and choose email as the distribution method then the built in submit button on the document message bar will email the form to you. Just make sure that your email is listed under Edit > Preferences > Identity.

Thanks,
Lori

I would like for my fillable pdf form to have a submit button where its content is emailed to me.

Hi Kelly,

See this article for ways to address this:
http://alltamedia.com/2014/06/02/how-to-combine-pdf-forms-that-use-the-same-form-field-names/

Thanks,
Lori

I have two fillable PDFs that have been filled out, and I am trying to combine them using “Combine Files into a Single PDF”.  Only the file I put first, to start on Page 1, retains the filled-in data - the data in the second file gets wiped out in the resulting binder file.

Hi Haley,

If you use the identical name for your form field (i.e., Name, Address) it will automatically populate with the same information when it is filled in.

Thanks,
Lori

Is there a way to create a multi page document where you enter information into the first page and it will auto populate into the following pages?

Hi tbaetz,

Here is a discussion that explains how to do this?
https://answers.acrobatusers.com/can-print-contents-forms-fields-q227788.aspx

Thanks,
Lori

I have a form that I have made to a PDF and want a fillable box, but don’t want the form printed off just the fillable boxes. How do I do this?

Hi Rita,

You can use Acrobat 9 (not just the free Reader) to create new form fields on your PDF.

Thanks,
Lori

This is all new to me…all I want to do is create a form I can save and then fill in blank spaces as needed….?  Can I use Acrobat 9 to do this or do I need XI?

Hi Dan,

If you’re recipients are using Acrobat or Reader XI, then you could use JavaScript and templates to do this. Feel free to ask our experts how you might go about this here and be sure to select the JavaScript category:
https://answers.acrobatusers.com/AskQuestion.aspx

Thanks,
Lori

Hi Sean Fletcher,
You can find some suggestion on how to do this in this article:
http://alltamedia.com/2014/06/09/how-to-add-attachments-to-a-pdf-form/

Thanks,
Lori

Hi Mike,

You can setup the form as read-only on your network. Or you can use a reset button to clear the form fields after someone has submitted the data. This tutorial explains how to create a reset button.
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/how-to-add-a-reset-button-to-a-form

Thanks,
Lori

Hi, Help needed… is this possible??

I have a 90 page PDF, but I only want viewers to see the first 5 pages before they hit a data capture form (name and email) by submitting their details, they will then be able to view the rest of the document.

Dan

Is it possible for the field to accept a drawing, like a signature or a sketch??  It would be useful for a form I am creating to allow the user to sketch within a box with their mouse.  Is there a javascript I could add to the form document?

I have created a fillable pdf and want others to enter information and save the document. However, when someone else enters in info and attempts to save the document, Acrobat requires them save it under a new name. How can multiple people enter information into a document and save it without having to save the file with a new name?

Hi Rick,

What tool are you using to fill out the agreement? Both Acrobat and Reader XI allow you the save and edit form field information.

Thanks,
Lori

I have created a Rental Agreement form with many fields that the recipient must fill out.  It’s working as a form but I’ve just noticed that when a field is filled out and you move on to another field, you can’t then go back to a previous field and modify the entered text.

As an agreement, people will no doubt go back and realize they want to change something they already entered.  How can the fields be configured to allow this?

Hi Michelle,

You’ll need to manually remove the form fields, which is easy to do under the Fields panel in Form Editing mode.

Lori

I have Adobe Pro XI. After it converts your document and inserts form fields, can you revert the fields back to the formatting on the original document? Is there a way to “reject” the changes?

Hi jenny sands,

You’ll need to create EchoSign-aware form fields in Acrobat Pro. first. Here is a tutorial on the subject:
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/how-to-create-echosign-aware-forms

Thanks,
Lori

I am building a template i EchoSign with a fillable PDF built in Pro. This is a loan note that requires staff to make changes before sending for a signature. I have built the template andsaved in the shared library, but staff is not able to type in the data fields. How can i make the document in the template editable?

Dear MR or Mrs,
how can I make conditions in editable pdf file? Like: If you check this box, you won’t be able to fill other boxes. If you don’t check it, you should fill other boxes.
Sincerely,
ines

Hi Peter,

You can do this by using the Distribute command under the Forms panel in Acrobat XI Std. or Pro. What you can do is initiate the command and then select the option to “save a local copy and manually send it later”. Then either post this local copy or email to whomever asks for the form. Recipients will see a submit button at the top of the form, and when they select this it submits the form back to you.

Thanks,
Lori

Is there a way that once the form is filled in I can then have people email it back to me?

Hi Super Ninja,

Check out this on-demand session on forms:
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/working-form-data-december-2011
At about the 10:00 minute mark, Dave Merchant talks about using FDF and server-side scripts to collect the data, which you might find useful.

Thanks,
Lori

I am wondering if there is a way for a pdf file to have information placed into it automatically from a php action. I would like an html form to send the information into a pdf template file and then save into a folder on my server. If I could do this, the reader wouldn’t have to use pdf software at all, and could therefore work on non-pdf enabled computers that have access to internet.

Hi Josh,

If you use the same field names throughout your form, then the data in those form fields will automatically populate other pages of your form.

Thanks,
Lori

What if I wanted to make a PDF with multiple pages, and I wanted one pages info to populate throughout the entire PDF?

Hi pradnya,

The ability to fill in existing form fields in Adobe Reader XI (without needing the Reader extend the form) does not work for forms designed using Adobe LiveCycle Designer.

Thanks,
Lori

Hi
I like your this video. but please let me know which version of Adobe reader you are using . i am using Adobe Reader XI but not getting forms field adding features.

Hi Jenn,

Here are a few discussions on how to do this for your form field:
http://answers.acrobatusers.com/I-default-entry-form-field-I-default-entry-clear-I-select-field-q23271.aspx

Thanks,
Lori

Hi Oliver,

You can flatten the form fields in Acrobat but not in the free Reader. Here is a tutorial that explains how to do this:
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/how-to-flatten-form-fields

Thanks,
Lori

Hi all,

Does anybody know how to set a text form field in the PDF so that when the user places their cursor in the field and starts to type, the existing text in the field is deleted? I think this is also known as overtype?

Thanks anyone!

Jenn

Once the form is filled out, can I then export it back to a non editable PDF that contains the new information?

Basically, I want my client to amend the form fields and then send on an uneditable PDF.

Thanks.

Hi woon foong,

All you need to do to allow users to save the form data in Reader X is the run the following command in Acrobat X: File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Additional Features.
You won’t need to do this for Reader XI.

Thanks,
Lori

I created some form fields in my current PDF document using Acrobat X Pro. No security settings applied. When I opened the document again with Adobe Reader X. I can fill the fields. But it tells me that “Please fill out the following form. You cannot save data typed into this form. Please print your completed form if you like a copy for your records”? Why is that so? How can I save the completed form?

This is so helpful. THanks a lot!

Hi SusanZ,

You’ll need to use the Save A Copy command first (so you have a PDF file that is not reader-enabled) before you can go back and add or remove form fields in Acrobat.

Thanks,
Lori

Hi Lauren,

What version of Word are you using? If you’re using an older version of Acrobat it’s very possible newer versions of Word aren’t compatible simply because they were released years later (i.e., Office 2013 is not compatible with Acrobat X).

Thanks,

so it turns out that option does not work to upload a file because my version of Adobe doesn’t recognize microsoft word???  Crazy.  I spent a few hours on the tech support to just find out that a fundamental property of adobe pro no longer works.  why did I buy this???!

Hi Carolyn,
Required fields were designed to use with the submission of forms to a web server script page and then throwing an error. Here are a few suggestions to consider:
http://answers.acrobatusers.com/Required-fields-q12171.aspx

Thanks,
Lori

Once a form has been saved as Reader Enabled, can I go back and add or delete fields?

Once I save a fillable form as a Reader Extended PDF, how can I open it back up and add/change/delete fields?

I’ve set a field property to “required”, but it’s still possible to leave it blank. How do I ensure the field gets filled before users saves the file?  Thank you!

Hi Lauren,

In the Forms panel if you click on the Create command (no file open), you should be able to select the Browse button to open any type of document that Acrobat can convert to PDF including a Word file and it will convert the file to PDF and add form fields.

Thanks,
Lori

I tried to do the steps shown on video, but I couldn’t. When I open the Acrobat and go to create a form from existing documents… the program says: “No new form field annotations were detected”. What am I doing wrong?

Please help!  I am trying to do this from a Word document so it will read my radio buttons, etc. but it only allows me to choose from PDFs.  When I do this, it locks the radio buttons and forces me to put them all manually but it looks all wobbly.  I’d prefer from the word doc.  When I try, it says “Use the current document or browse to a PDF file”.  No mention of Word or other docs.  help!!

Hi Abdul,

Here is a link to the free 30-day trial of Acrobat XI Pro.:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=acrobat_pro&loc=en

Thanks,
Lori

Abdul-
Try Adobe Acrobat XI Pro.  You can download a free trial from Adobe’s website befor you buy.

Stacie

I want software to create editable pdf.

Hi Bernadette,

You’ll need to set a different export value for the fields in order to do this. Here is a tutorial with more detail:
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/creating-radio-checkboxes

Thanks,
Lori

I have an Interactive PDF created with Yes and no buttons. Once one or the other is checked we cannot turn them off. Yes and no are not checked at the same time and that is what I want, but I cannot turn them off even after closing the program and re opening.

Hi Stacie,

When you create a text form field, in the Properties menu under the Options tab you can select Rich Text Formatting. This will allow others to change the font in the form field by bring up the toolbar using the keyboard command Ctrl+e.

Thanks,
Lori

I want to create an interactive PDF with multiple submit buttons.

E.g I have a form with 10 questions. I want the form completed and emailed to me with all 10 questions. However, i want question 5 (and 5 only) emailed to someone else. Can i put a submit button in question 5 for it to submit to that person with only that info?

Hi yianni,

You can create multiple submit buttons on your form manually to do this but you will not be able to use the distribute feature in Acrobat if you do this. Simply create a new button form field and under the Properties Actions tab select Submit a form from the Select Action: dropdown. When you click on the Add… button, use the mailto: command for the URL an then pick and choose which form fields you could like to include.

Another way to to this would be to use FormsCentral to analyze the form data and then share it with others.

Lori

I am trying to create a set of labels and save the “blank” template with editable text fields in adobe acrobat pro.  I want to be able to open the pdf file in adobe reader (or allow others to) and type in any text I want and also be able to change the font/color/size, etc.  However, when I save the document and open it in reader I cannot get the typewriter tool in which to be able to change the fonts, etc.  Any ideas what I could be doing wrong?

Great tutorial
thank you…

Hi am,

Sounds like the form fields are not set up to see all the content. Make sure that when you’re creating texgt form fields, that they’re large enough to display all the content; otherwise you won’t be able to see the entire entry when printing your form.

Thanks,
Lori

How to create editable PDF form fields
I need to print the whole containters in the fields that I typed. I did not get the text.

I created a form in Acrobat Pro and need Acrobat Reader users to be able to fill out the form, save it as a new document and email to me. Right now Reader is telling me it cannot save the filled out document… it can only print it. Is there any way around this? This form is useless to me if people that don’t have the Pro version can’t save the forms they fill out.

Please help.

Thank you,
Sylvia

Hi Sylvia,

If your form recipients are using Reader XI, they will be able to save the form data. For earlier versions of Reader you’ll need to Reader-enable the form. Here is a link with more detail:
http://answers.acrobatusers.com/Acrobat-X-How-enable-Acrobat-Reader-complete-save-form-q37218.aspx

Lori

great tutorial. I was wondering if you know how to create stamps that have fields. We need to insert stamps on pdf drawings and have check boxes and fields such as date, project number and reviewer’s name.

Hi Roger,
Unfortunately you cannot have interactive elements in a custom stamp after it is placed on the PDF. You may however, be able to build something based on user input. Here is a tutorial from Thom Parker that explains this in more detail:
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/dynamic_stamp_secrets

Thanks,
Lori

I have about 400 7 pages docs that I would like to convert to fillable/savable PDF files. Do I have to convert all 400 individualy or is there a way to convert 1 and use it as a template somehow? All of the word docs are in the same format but some of what would be “locked” from editing are different. (i.e. Name, address)Any help would be appreciated. (Also I have Pro version, and possibly CS3 for use)

Hi Amanda,

You might consider using an Action to help to create the fillable form fields from your Word files. However, you’ll still need to perform some cleanup/verification of the form fields. Here is a link to a tutorial on How to Create an Action (you’ll need Acrobat Pro. to do this):
https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/how-do-i-create-a-new-action

Lori

Thank you! That was very helpful.

At 1:11 when you mouse over the “Save as” option, there is a drop down menu. I have CS 3, and while everything works fine, I do not have this option. How do I make this form so my students can edit AND SAVE without this option?

Hi Caleb,

I’m assuming you have Acrobat 9 Pro. and if so, you can find this command under the Advanced > Extend Features In Adobe Reader menu.

Thanks,
Lori

I don’t have this option in the free XI I just downloaded. All I see when I click on “Tools,” is “Export PDF,” “Create PDF,” “Send Files,” and “Store Files” - which would be okay if I knew if only came with the paid version. But the summary of the video says I can do this with the free Adobe Reader in the first sentence.

Hi Jessie,

It is not possible to create form fields using the free Adobe Reader. We’ve clarified the description to eliminate any more possible confusion.

Lori

The audio is incoherent - because of the speed or the accent or a combination of the two. I don’t mean to be rude, but you have to consider listeners when you record and post content in public. Only 20secs in did I realise it was English being spoken.!

PGala,

Yes, this audio is a bit fast especially if English isn’t your first language. We’ll slow it down in future tutorials.

Lori

I would like to ask for help:
I make an editable pdf form (for example a test in the school). The children filled the test in the pdf, and send to me by email. Then I have a lot of filled pdf from all children. I would like to correct them by computer (any programme, or something else) and grade them. So I need the results, who give 1,2,3,4,5 grade.

Please fix it my problem.

Thx, and sorry my bad english.

Hi Bolla - can you post your question here so we can help you interactively?
http://answers.acrobatusers.com/AskQuestion.aspx

Thanks,
Lori

Is there a quick and easy way to set the font size/style for all form fields? I love being able to make forms easily but always have to go through the fields one by one to change the font sizes.
Thanks.

Hi Melinda,

I’ve found the easiest way to do this is to select the fields in the Fields panel (use Ctrl to select multiple fields) and then bring up the Properties dialog and change your font size and style.

Lori