How do I fill and sign a PDF form in Adobe Acrobat?

Open the PDF in Acrobat. Go to All tools and pick Fill & Sign. Type your answers in the form fields or add text anywhere. Click the Sign icon to add your signature. Save the filled and signed form.

If my scanned form does not have interactive fields, how can I still fill and sign it?

Use Fill & Sign to click anywhere on the form and add text. You can place your signature on the scan using the Sign tool. It works even if the form is just a picture (flat form).

How is filling an interactive PDF form different from filling a flat PDF form?

Interactive PDF Form Flat PDF Form. You type directly into boxes made for answers. You click anywhere and add text over the page. Fields may check your input or move to the next box automatically. You must place all text and signatures by hand. Saving filled data may depend on permissions. Saving works the same way, but the form is not smart.

Distribute Signed Form in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Prepare the training acknowledgement PDF form that new IT hires must sign to confirm they…+

Prepare the training acknowledgement PDF form that new IT hires must sign to confirm they understand our security procedures; include the policy text, acknowledgement checkbox, and signature field, then send to new hires during onboarding.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before onboarding new staff, make the acknowledgement enforceable: convert the policy and…+

Before onboarding new staff, make the acknowledgement enforceable: convert the policy and acknowledgement into a fillable form with required signature and date fields, prefill hire name and hire date, add a short quiz confirmation line for key controls, and send it to new hires with instructions to return within three days.

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 the PDF form you want to fill in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select the Fill & Sign tool from the right pane or the toolbar.
3
Click into each form field and type your information as required.
4
To add checkmarks or select options, click the appropriate box or button in the form.
5
Click the Sign button in the Fill & Sign toolbar.
6
Choose to add a signature or initials as needed.
7
Type, draw, or upload an image of your signature, then click Apply.
8
Click on the location in the PDF where you want to place your signature.
9
Drag to resize or reposition the signature if necessary.
10
Save the completed and signed PDF by clicking File > Save or Save As.
Best practiceFor best results, use the latest version of Acrobat to ensure compatibility with all form fields and signature features. (Source: BLOGS)
NoteElectronic signatures applied through Fill & Sign are legally binding in many jurisdictions, but always verify local requirements. (Source: ADOBE)

In the appWith the API

You can save a copy of your filled and signed PDF for your records or to share with others directly from the Acrobat app.

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

Glossary

words on this page

PDF formA PDF file that asks you to fill in answers or information.ExampleYou download a PDF form from the tax website and type your financial details into the fields.

Interactive fieldA box or area in a PDF form where you can type directly.ExampleYou can type your address directly into the interactive field on the application form.

Reader-Extended PDFA PDF that lets people save their filled-in data using free Acrobat Reader.ExampleYou can fill out and save a Reader-Extended PDF form even if you only have free Acrobat Reader.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Train new IT staff with a signed acknowledgement form proving they understand our security procedures.

FAQ

about this task

Open the PDF in Acrobat.
Go to All tools and pick Fill & Sign.
Type your answers in the form fields or add text anywhere.
Click the Sign icon to add your signature.
Save the filled and signed form.

A Reader-Extended PDF is a special type of PDF that lets people using the free Acrobat Reader save the data they fill in. This is important because, with a normal PDF, you can fill in information but often cannot save your changes unless the form owner has set special permissions. If you need others to fill in and save forms using free software, make sure the PDF is Reader-Extended.

Use Fill & Sign to click anywhere on the form and add text.
You can place your signature on the scan using the Sign tool.
It works even if the form is just a picture (flat form).

You often cannot save filled-in data in Acrobat Reader because the PDF form was not set up to allow it. Only Reader-Extended PDFs let users save their filled information. This is a permission set by the form owner, not a problem with your Reader.

Interactive PDF Form	Flat PDF Form
You type directly into boxes made for answers.	You click anywhere and add text over the page.
Fields may check your input or move to the next box automatically.	You must place all text and signatures by hand.
Saving filled data may depend on permissions.	Saving works the same way, but the form is not smart.

Distribute Signed Form

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

When it fails