How do I add my signature to a PDF document in Acrobat Reader?

Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader. Click 'E-Sign' in the right panel. Select 'Add e-sign' and choose to type, draw, or upload your signature. Place the signature on the document and save.

What is the difference between an 'e-signature' and a 'digital signature' when signing a document?

An e-signature, like the one from Fill & Sign, is a simple electronic mark showing agreement. It's often legally binding. A digital signature is more complex. It uses a digital certificate to prove the signer's identity and that the document has not changed since it was signed. Digital signatures offer higher security and verification, while e-signatures are for general agreement.

If I need to sign many documents every day, can I automate the 'Fill & Sign' process?

No, you cannot automate the 'Fill & Sign' process. This feature is designed for you to manually add your signature to documents. It is a client action, meaning you must perform the steps yourself within the Acrobat application. There is no special tool or API for automatic self-signing.

Why is 'Fill & Sign' useful for everyday tasks like signing a permission slip?

It saves time by letting you sign digitally instead of printing, signing, and scanning. You can sign from anywhere, using your computer or mobile device. It helps keep your documents digital, reducing paper use and making them easy to store.

How does Acrobat ensure my e-signature is secure and cannot be easily copied by others?

Acrobat helps secure your e-signature by embedding it directly into the PDF. Once saved, it becomes part of the document, making it harder to remove or alter without detection. While a simple e-signature isn't as robust as a digital signature with encryption, Acrobat's tools help maintain the document's integrity. Always save your signed PDF to protect your work.

Pre-fill and lock certain fields before sending for signatur in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Show me how to pre-fill and lock fields in a PDF...…+

Show me how to pre-fill and lock certain fields in a PDF before sending for signature using Adobe Acrobat. I want to lock these fields: [list fields].

when the reply comes backWould you like tips on making your form look more professional?

BImprove — “do it better”Suggest ways to make my pre-filled and locked fields...…+

Suggest ways to make my pre-filled and locked fields in the PDF clearer and easier for signers to understand. Here’s what I have: [describe fields].

when the reply comes backNeed help checking which fields are best to lock for your case?

CDecide — “help me choose”Help me decide which fields to pre-fill and lock...…+

Help me decide which fields I should pre-fill and lock before sending my document for signature. My document is for [describe purpose].

when the reply comes backWant to know how to unlock a field later if needed?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to fill out in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select Fill & Sign from the right pane or the toolbar.
3
Click Fill & Sign to activate the tool for self-signing.
4
Click anywhere on the document where you want to add text, then type your information.
5
To add checkmarks or other symbols, use the toolbar options that appear after activating Fill & Sign.
6
To add your signature or initials, click the Sign button in the Fill & Sign toolbar, then choose Add Signature or Add Initials and follow the prompts.
7
Drag your signature or initials to the appropriate place in the document.
8
Save the filled and signed PDF by selecting File > Save.
Best practiceIf you need to reuse your signature, Acrobat lets you save it for future documents.

In the appWith the API

You can resize or move text fields and signatures after placing them by clicking and dragging their edges.

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

Glossary

words on this page

Pre-fillTo enter information into a form before someone else sees it.ExampleYou pre-fill the customer's name and address on the order form before sending it to them.

LockTo prevent changes or edits to something in a document.ExampleWe need to lock this section of the contract to prevent any further changes.

SignatureYour name written in a special way to show you agree or approve.ExampleHer distinctive signature on the artwork proved its authenticity and origin.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Improve sign‑off certainty across engagements

FAQ

about this task

In Adobe Acrobat, you can enter information into the form fields you want to pre-fill, then set those fields as 'read-only' so others cannot change them before sending the document for signature.

Locking fields keeps important information safe from being changed by others, making sure details like names or dates stay correct and official when people sign.

Yes, you can unlock a field by opening the PDF in Adobe Acrobat, selecting the field, and removing the 'read-only' property, as long as the document is not already signed.

Pre-filling means you type in information before sending the form, while locking means you stop others from changing what you typed in.

It is helpful when you want to make sure certain details, like official names or numbers, are correct and cannot be changed by the person signing the document.

Pre-fill and lock certain fields before sending for signatur

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help