How to Create & Fill Forms in PDFs

Are you tired of repeatedly filling out and scanning paper forms? No worries, as UPDF is here to revolutionize the process with its ultimate form creation, editing, and filling features. You can effortlessly create forms with checkboxes, text fields, buttons, dropdown lists, and more. Additionally, you can create multiple copies of the form, adjust its alignment, and clear, import, or export data.

In short, it's your best buddy for dealing with digital forms! This guide provides detailed step-by-step instructions on using UPDF to create, edit, and fill out forms in PDFs. Alternatively, you can watch the video guide below to learn more about these features.

1. Create Fillable Forms from Scratch

When creating fillable forms across UPDF, you need to follow the simplified steps presented below:

Step 1. As you launch UPDF, select the "File" tab, move to the "Create" option, and choose "Blank Page" from the further menu. Define the number of pages, paper style, and other settings before clicking "Create."

Step 2. With the blank PDF created, access the "Prepare Form" mode from the left panel to open a list of form editing tools.

Text Field

On selecting this button, you can draw a text box across the form at any particular place. This is usually done to create a text box across a particular field where you want the responder to add their information.

After adding a text field across your blank PDF, you can manage its size using the dotted lines available around the box. Furthermore, you can also drag and drop the text field to change its position across the PDF form. When double-clicking the text field, its properties panel appears on the right. There, you can change its name, tooltip, values, styles, and assorted actions.

Check Box

A check box is used to select one or more options within a particular question of a PDF form. After selecting "Check Box" from the top toolbar, draw it on the form and manage its position, size, and other essential properties from the right panel.

Radio Button

When you have to select a single option from multiple choices, a radio button serves best. For this case, access the "Radio Button" option on the top toolbar to add it to the PDF. If you are creating a group of these buttons, the names should align and should be sorted as "Option1," "Option2," "Option3" and so on.

Dropdown

Using this option, a dropdown menu can be created within the form, giving the responders multiple options to select from. UPDF allows you to adjust multiple properties such as its name, tooltip, selectable items, personalized text, and more.

List Box

If your PDF form requires you to list all options while allowing the responder to select one or more options, a list box is the perfect utility to include. After adding a list box, you can customize options like name, tooltip, items, selection options, and much more.

Button

This element serves best in cases where you are bound to add a specific action within the PDF form. There are multiple layout options available to set for this element, which can be adjusted while setting up the name and icon of the button.

When creating an action button, navigate across the "Actions" tab, select a trigger, and define a purposeful action for the PDF form.

Image Field

To allow responders to add their images within the PDF form, you can add an "Image Field" using the toolbar on the top. After drawing a space for the image field, you can customize its properties from the right panel.

Date Field

If you consider adding a blank date field for your responders, use the "Date Field" icon from the top. The field's appearance can be adjusted across the "Style" section on the right panel.

Digital Signature

This is among the important elements of a PDF form that define the authenticity of the document. To add this across the PDF, access the "Digital Signature" icon and draw it. Double-click to access its properties on the right panel, which allows you to manage its basic properties, appearance, and assorted actions.

Step 3. Once you are done with your customizations, check the PDF form using the "Preview" button on the top right. If you are satisfied with the results, navigate to the "File" tab to discover the "Save" option for executing the process.

2. Automatic Creation of PDF Fillable Forms

UPDF allows you to manage non-fillable PDF forms by converting them into fillable format in a single click using the "Form Field Recognition" option.

Step 1. As you open the PDF form across your Windows application, lead into the "Prepare Form" section and find the "Toolkit" icon on the top toolbar. From the options that appear, select "Form Field Recognition" and convert your non-fillable form into a fillable PDF.

Step 2. Save your converted PDF form from the "Save" option across the "File" tab.

3. Fill PDF Forms

Once you've created a PDF form using UPDF, you or other individuals can fill it out as well. Provided next are some points you need to keep in mind when filling PDF forms using UPDF:

• The forms can be filled in the "Reader," "Comment," or "Edit PDF" modes of UPDF.
• When getting a highlighted box across the PDF form, start filling out the form with the appropriate details.

• For text fields, you will have to add the required text to the form. If you are dealing with checkboxes and radio buttons, you will have to tap on the right option provided. Furthermore, you can also select from the dropdown and list boxes according to your desired choice.

• After completing all form filling, save the form or create a new document to make copies of your PDF forms.

4. Some Essential Tips to Follow When Creating and Filling PDF Forms

There are several other advanced functions that can be used when creating or filling out UPDF forms. Look ahead to discover these essential tips to streamline your PDF creation process:

Duplicate Across Pages

To duplicate a particular form field on a page across other pages of the PDF form, select and use the "Duplicate Across Pages" option. As the properties appear on the right-side panel, define the page range for duplicating the field and click "OK" to successfully execute the process.

Create Multiple Form Copies

This process can be executed by accessing the "Create Multiple Copies" option from the top toolbar after selecting a particular form field, such as a dropdown or checkbox, that is added to the form. In the properties that appear next, define the number of fields you wish to include, manage other customizations, and tap "OK."

Align Fields

UPDF provides the option of aligning the forms and elements within your PDF form under 6 different alignment options. After selecting the respective fields, move toward the "Align" button on the top toolbar and select the appropriate option.

Clear Form

To clear all the elements and details added within the form, you can use the "Clear Form" option across the "Toolkit" icon.

Import and Export Data

To add or export the data into the PDF form, you can simply use the "Import Data" or "Export Data" option in the "Toolkit" dropdown. This information is either added or extracted in the form of FDF format.