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Guide ·

How to fill out a PDF form online

PDF forms come in two kinds. Fillable forms have built-in fields you can type into; flat forms, including scanned paper forms, are just pages. The tool to use depends on which one you have.

Fill PDF form

Type into a PDF's form fields and save a filled copy.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Open Fill PDF form and add the form

    The fields are listed: text boxes, dates, checkboxes, radio buttons, drop-downs and lists. If none are found, the form is flat; skip to the next section.

  2. 02

    Fill in the fields

    Type your answers and tick the boxes. Changed fields are counted as you go.

  3. 03

    Choose whether to lock the fields

    Locking makes the answers read-only in other PDF apps, so they can't be changed by accident.

  4. 04

    Download

    Download the completed copy.

Flat or scanned forms with no fields

Open the form in Edit PDF, choose Add text and click wherever an answer goes. Use the Draw tool or type an X to tick boxes. This works on scanned forms too, because you're adding text on top of the page.

Signing the form

Once the answers are in, add your signature with Sign PDF. See how to sign a PDF for the difference between electronic and digital signatures.

Locking is not a password

Locked fields stop accidental changes, but anyone can still open and read the form. To require a password to open it, use Protect PDF.

Questions

Why does my PDF show no fields?
Only forms with built-in fields can be filled that way. Scanned or flat forms need Add text in Edit PDF instead.
Can I save a half-finished form and come back to it?
Yes, as long as you don't lock the fields. Download the copy you have so far, then open it in Fill PDF form again later; your earlier answers will be in the fields.