Create a reusable template of the standard spec sheet with our header, parts table, and revision block and save it to …
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro on your computer.
Select the Tools tab.
Find and select Prepare Form under Forms.
Choose an existing file to use as your form, or select the option to create a new one.
Best practiceIf your form is not already a PDF, convert it to PDF before starting this process.
Click Start to let Acrobat detect form fields automatically, or manually add fields as needed.
Best practiceLetting Acrobat auto-detect fields can save time, but always review and adjust the detected fields for accuracy.
Use the toolbar to add, move, or delete form fields such as text boxes, checkboxes, and drop-down lists.
Double-click any form field to edit its properties, such as name, tooltip, and appearance.
When finished, use File > Save to save your fillable PDF form.
You can quickly test your form by switching to Preview mode in the Prepare Form tool to see how users will fill it out.
This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.
Making forms in Word is not recommended for PDF forms because Word's form tools do not export correctly to accessible PDF fields. This means your form might not work well or be usable by everyone. It is best to start with a basic document in Word and then use Acrobat's 'Prepare a form' tool to add all the fillable fields. This ensures the PDF form fields are properly created and accessible.
A Tooltip is important because it provides a short description for each field. This helps users, especially those who use screen readers, understand what information they need to enter into that specific field. It makes your form easier for everyone to use.
A fillable form in Acrobat is a PDF document that has special areas, called fields, where users can type in information directly. These fields can be text boxes, checkboxes, dropdown menus, and more. It lets people complete and save forms on their computer without printing them.