How do I make a PDF form fillable in Acrobat?

First, open your document in Acrobat. Go to 'All tools' and select 'Prepare a form'. Acrobat will try to find fields automatically. You can then add or change fields like text boxes or checkboxes as needed.

What is the difference between a text box and a dropdown in a PDF form?

Feature Text Box Dropdown. Purpose Allows users to type any text freely. Offers a list of choices for users to pick from. Input Method Typing directly into the field. Clicking to open a list and selecting an option. Use Case For names, addresses, comments. For selecting from predefined options like states, titles, yes/no.

Create HR Disclosure Form in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Build a new-hire disclosure form HR can use: create a fillable PDF form with required fields…+

Build a new-hire disclosure form HR can use: create a fillable PDF form with required fields for personal details, conflict disclosures, and signature, and save it to the HR templates folder.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Deliver a low-friction form HR will adopt: create a fillable PDF with validated fields for…+

Deliver a low-friction form HR will adopt: create a fillable PDF with validated fields for name, SSN placeholder, conflict-of-interest checkboxes, date and signature, add tooltips with guidance, and save a template in the HR library with editing restricted to HR admins.

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 Pro on your computer.
2
Select the Tools tab.
3
Find and select Prepare Form under Forms.
4
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.
5
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.
6
Use the toolbar to add, move, or delete form fields such as text boxes, checkboxes, and drop-down lists.
7
Double-click any form field to edit its properties, such as name, tooltip, and appearance.
8
When finished, use File > Save to save your fillable PDF form.

In the appWith the API

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.

Glossary

words on this page

Form FieldA special area in a document where you can type information or make a choice.

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'.

Accessibility CheckerA tool that checks if your document is easy for all people, including those with disabilities, to use.ExampleRunning the Accessibility Checker helped identify images missing alternative text descriptions.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Create a form the HR team can use so each new hire provides the same disclosures we require.

FAQ

about this task

First, open your document in Acrobat.
Go to 'All tools' and select 'Prepare a form'.
Acrobat will try to find fields automatically.
You can then add or change fields like text boxes or checkboxes as needed.

A Tooltip is a short description for a form field. It matters because it helps people who use screen readers understand what each field is for. This makes your form accessible to more users, ensuring everyone can fill it out correctly and easily.

It is not a good idea to use Word's form tools and then convert to PDF. Word's form tools do not export well to accessible PDF fields. Instead, start with a simple, well-structured Word document, then use Acrobat's 'Prepare a form' tool to add all the fillable fields directly in Acrobat for best results.

You need to enable 'Reader Extended PDF' so that people using Adobe Reader can save the information they type into your form. Without this, they can fill it out but cannot save their work, which can be very frustrating for them.

Feature	Text Box	Dropdown
Purpose	Allows users to type any text freely.	Offers a list of choices for users to pick from.
Input Method	Typing directly into the field.	Clicking to open a list and selecting an option.
Use Case	For names, addresses, comments.	For selecting from predefined options like states, titles, yes/no.

Create HR Disclosure Form

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Video

Other guides