How do I create a fillable PDF form in Adobe Acrobat?

Open Acrobat and select 'All tools'. Choose 'Prepare a form' and pick your document. Acrobat will try to find fields automatically. You can then add more fields like text boxes or checkboxes. Remember to save your form so Reader users can fill and save it.

How do 'text boxes' and 'radio buttons' differ in PDF forms?

Feature Text Box Radio Button. Purpose To type in text, numbers, or dates. To choose only one option from a group. User Action Clicks and types freely. Clicks to select one circle; others in the group deselect.

Prepare Supervisor Signoff Form in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Create a concise safety-verification checklist page in the maintenance PDF listing post-work HV…+

Create a concise safety-verification checklist page in the maintenance PDF listing post-work HV checks (isolation resistance, bleeder resistor status, warning labels), leave space for supervisor signature and date, and save it to the assembly's folder.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Draft the checklist so supervisors sign off without chasing details: present three yes/no HV…+

Draft the checklist so supervisors sign off without chasing details: present three yes/no HV verifications with pass criteria (measured insulation resistance > [threshold=MΩ], bleeder present and measured voltage < [threshold=V], lockout/tagout confirmed), include a signature line for [supervisor=Lee] and a timestamp field.

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 your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select the Tools tab and choose Prepare Form.
3
If prompted, select your file again and click Start to begin form preparation.
4
Use the toolbar to add form fields such as text boxes, checkboxes, or drop-down lists as needed for your form.
5
Click the signature field icon in the toolbar.
6
Click on the location in your document where you want to add the signature field.
7
Repeat the previous two steps to add additional signature fields if more than one signer is required.
8
Save your form by clicking File > Save.
9
To send for e-signatures, select Send for Signature, enter recipient email addresses, and follow the prompts to send.

In the appWith the API

You can drag and resize signature fields to fit precisely where you want recipients to sign.

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

Glossary

words on this page

Fillable formA digital document with spaces where you can type information or make choices.ExampleThe job application was a fillable form, allowing you to type all your details directly.

Form fieldA place in the PDF where someone can type, pick, or check something.ExampleClick on the form field labeled 'Name' to type in your full name.

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'.

Who does this

3 roles

HR CoordinatorContract ManagerAdministrative Assistant

FAQ

about this task

Open Acrobat and select 'All tools'.
Choose 'Prepare a form' and pick your document.
Acrobat will try to find fields automatically. You can then add more fields like text boxes or checkboxes.
Remember to save your form so Reader users can fill and save it.

Making PDF forms accessible means everyone, including people using screen readers, can understand and use them. This is important for legal reasons and good design. Accessible forms have clear labels, descriptions (Tooltips), and a logical tab order, ensuring all users can complete the form easily and correctly. It improves usability for everyone.

If you use Word's form tools, they often do not convert well into accessible PDF form fields when you save the document as a PDF. This can make your form difficult or impossible for some users, especially those with disabilities, to fill out. It's best to start with a standard Word document and use Acrobat's 'Prepare a form' feature to add the interactive fields.

Feature	Text Box	Radio Button
Purpose	To type in text, numbers, or dates.	To choose only one option from a group.
User Action	Clicks and types freely.	Clicks to select one circle; others in the group deselect.

You should enable 'Reader Extended PDF' because it allows users who only have Adobe Reader (the free version) to fill out and save the form they completed. Without this step, Reader users can fill the form but cannot save their work, which can be frustrating and impractical for them.

Prepare Supervisor Signoff Form

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

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