How do I add a new text box to my PDF form in Acrobat?

Open your document in Acrobat and go to Prepare a form. Click where you want to add a new field. Choose the text box tool and place it on the form. Label the field and add a Tooltip for accessibility.

Why should I not use Word’s form tools before making a PDF form?

Word’s form tools do not export to real PDF form fields. PDFs made from Word forms are not fillable in Acrobat. Start with a regular Word document to get true PDF form fields.

How is a PDF form different from a printed form for accessibility?

PDF Form Printed Form. Can be used with screen readers Cannot be used with screen readers Tab order can guide users No tab order, only paper layout Tooltips help people with disabilities No Tooltips possible Can be filled out and saved on computer Must be filled out by hand

Convert Documents To PDF Forms in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”I have a two-page contractor agreement in Word that needs editable form fields for signature…+

I have a two-page contractor agreement in Word that needs editable form fields for signature name, date, and hourly rate. Convert it to a fillable PDF form and ensure signature fields validate email and required fields are flagged. Deliver by [deadline=Wednesday]

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”We send the contractor agreement to non-technical people who get confused by badly aligned…+

We send the contractor agreement to non-technical people who get confused by badly aligned fields. Convert the Word agreement into a clean PDF form, align fields to the text, set tab order, make rates numeric with validation, and ensure signature and date fields lock after signing. Explain any parts of the original doc that needed reflow

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

CDecide — “help me choose”We need the standard contractor agreement turned into a fillable PDF used by project managers,…+

We need the standard contractor agreement turned into a fillable PDF used by project managers, but I worry about exposing editable language that legal must control. Recommend which fields should be form-fillable (names, addresses, rates, dates) and which should be locked or managed via dropdowns to avoid free-text changes. Explain how to preserve legal integrity while making the form easy for managers to complete and what review steps legal should perform afterwards

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open Adobe Acrobat on your computer.
2
Click the Tools tab in the upper left corner of the window.
3
Select Prepare Form from the list of available tools.
4
Click Select a file and choose your existing document (Word, PDF, or other supported file type) from your computer.
CautionIf your document is not already a PDF, Acrobat will convert it automatically.
5
Click Start to allow Acrobat to analyze the document and automatically detect and add fillable form fields.
Best practiceFor best results, ensure your original document uses clear lines or boxes where fields should be detected.
6
Review the automatically added fields and manually add, move, or adjust fields as needed using the toolbar (e.g., text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons).
Best practiceYou can drag and resize fields, and double-click any field to edit its properties.
7
Save the fillable PDF by clicking File > Save As and choosing a location and filename.

In the appWith the API

You can manually add or adjust any form field that Acrobat did not detect automatically using the Prepare Form toolbar.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Form fieldA place in the PDF where someone can type, pick, or check something.ExampleClick on the form field labeled 'Name' to type in your full name.

TooltipA small message that appears when you point to something, helping people understand what a form field is for.ExampleHovering over the 'Submit' button reveals a tooltip saying 'Click to send your completed form'.

Tab orderThe order in which you move from one field to the next by pressing the Tab key.ExamplePressing Tab moves your cursor from the name field to the address field, following the set tab order.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Our template Word contract must become a fillable PDF but I don't know which fields to make editable without breaking legal language.

FAQ

about this task

Open your document in Acrobat and go to Prepare a form.
Click where you want to add a new field.
Choose the text box tool and place it on the form.
Label the field and add a Tooltip for accessibility.

A fillable PDF form lets people type answers, pick choices, or check boxes directly on their computer. It is useful because it saves time, is easy to share, and can be filled out without printing. Fillable forms also help collect information in a neat and organized way.

If your scan is blurry, Acrobat may not find the right places for form fields, or may miss them completely. It is best to start with a clear, typed document so Acrobat can detect fields well. If you must use a scan, you might need to add all the fields by hand and check them carefully.

Word’s form tools do not export to real PDF form fields.
PDFs made from Word forms are not fillable in Acrobat.
Start with a regular Word document to get true PDF form fields.

PDF Form	Printed Form
Can be used with screen readers	Cannot be used with screen readers
Tab order can guide users	No tab order, only paper layout
Tooltips help people with disabilities	No Tooltips possible
Can be filled out and saved on computer	Must be filled out by hand

Convert Documents To PDF Forms

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Video

Other guides