How do I set a field as required in Adobe Acrobat?

Open your form in Prepare a form. Click on the field you want to set as required. Check the Required box in the right panel.

Why should I add Tooltips to required fields in Acrobat forms?

Tooltips help users know what to enter in each field. They make the form easier to use for people with screen readers. Adding Tooltips can reduce mistakes and confusion.

How is setting required fields in Acrobat different from using Word's form tools?

Acrobat Word. Lets you set required fields that work in PDF forms Form fields do not export as real PDF fields Supports accessibility features like Tooltips and tab order Does not support PDF accessibility features Fields can be checked by Acrobat's Accessibility Checker Word's form tools are not checked by Acrobat

Enforce Required Fields in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Create a simple fillable PDF intake form for ad-hoc analysis requests with required fields:…+

Create a simple fillable PDF intake form for ad-hoc analysis requests with required fields: Requester name, team, business question, data needed, [deadline], and priority; enforce required fields and circulate the form link to stakeholders [deadline=today].

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before rolling the intake form out to analysts, add help text for each required field, make…+

Before rolling the intake form out to analysts, add help text for each required field, make 'data needed' a checklist to prevent vague requests, include a dropdown for priority definitions, and add a confirmation page summarizing intake criteria so reviewers won't accept incomplete or impossible asks.

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 and select the Prepare Form tool from the Tools menu.
Best practiceYou can quickly access the Prepare Form tool by searching for it in the Tools search bar.
2
Choose an existing PDF or scan a document to use as your form background, then select Start to begin editing.
3
Add form fields such as text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, or drop-down lists by selecting the appropriate field type and placing it on the form.
4
Double-click a form field to open its Properties dialog.
5
To set up calculations, go to the Calculate tab in the Properties dialog, choose a calculation type (e.g., Value is the sum), and select the fields to include in the calculation.
NoteFor custom calculations, select Custom calculation script and enter JavaScript code.
6
To add field validations, switch to the Validate tab in the Properties dialog, select a format category (such as Number or Date), and set validation rules or custom validation scripts as needed.
Best practiceUse the Validate tab to set range limits or add custom JavaScript for complex validation.
7
To assign actions, go to the Actions tab in the Properties dialog, select a trigger (such as On Focus or On Blur), choose an action type (like Run a JavaScript), and configure the desired action.
Best practiceCommon actions include showing/hiding fields or displaying messages based on user input.
8
Repeat steps 4–7 for each field that requires calculations, validations, or actions.
9
Save the form to preserve your changes.
Best practiceTest your form thoroughly by entering sample data to ensure all calculations, validations, and actions work as intended.
Best practiceBLOGS: If you encounter issues with fields not updating, try closing and reopening the form or using the Clear Form option to reset field states.

In the appWith the API

You can preview your form in Acrobat by selecting the 'Preview' button to test calculations and validations before distributing.

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

The real tasks

all 4, listed here

Create a simple, fillable intake form for stakeholders to request ad-hoc analyses with required fields enforced.

Enable a standard template so managers can request departmental budget approvals using the same fields every quarter.

Build a reusable, fillable project proposal form that enforces required budget and timeline fields for every submission.

Create a reusable form applicants can fill so submissions arrive with the required fields completed.

FAQ

about this task

Open your form in Prepare a form.
Click on the field you want to set as required.
Check the Required box in the right panel.

A required field in a PDF form means the user must fill it in before they can finish or send the form. This is important because it helps make sure you get all the information you need. It stops people from missing out important details by accident.

No, Acrobat does not use Word's own form fields when making a PDF form. You need to add and set required fields inside Acrobat using Prepare a form. Start with a simple, well-structured Word document without Word form fields for best results.

Tooltips help users know what to enter in each field.
They make the form easier to use for people with screen readers.
Adding Tooltips can reduce mistakes and confusion.

Acrobat	Word
Lets you set required fields that work in PDF forms	Form fields do not export as real PDF fields
Supports accessibility features like Tooltips and tab order	Does not support PDF accessibility features
Fields can be checked by Acrobat's Accessibility Checker	Word's form tools are not checked by Acrobat

Enforce Required Fields

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Video

Other guides