How To Convert PDF To Fillable Form: Create A Fillable PDF

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By Sruthy

Sruthy, with her 10+ years of experience, is a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends her creative soul with technical prowess. With a Technical Degree in Graphics Design and Communications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Communication, she brings a unique combination of artistic flair…

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Updated July 22, 2024
Edited by Kamila

Edited by Kamila

Kamila is an AI-based technical expert, author, and trainer with a Master’s degree in CRM. She has over 15 years of work experience in several top-notch IT companies. She has published more than 500 articles on various Software Testing Related Topics, Programming Languages, AI Concepts,…

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Here we will explore step-by-step instructions to make PDF fillable using multiple tools that are used to Convert PDF to Fillable Form:

Do you remember the time when you had to print out the PDF form, fill it, and scan it to mail it back?

It was such a hassle. Today, digital formats have improved a lot, and filling a PDF form has become extremely convenient. You can easily fill them out on your system without printing them.

Even then, not all PDF forms are editable documents. To fill these forms, convert them into editable PDF documents. In this article, we will tell you about the tools you can use to convert PDF into a fillable format.

How To Make PDF Fillable

How to Convert PDF to Fillable Form

Suggested Reading =>>  How to Edit A PDF File

Tools To Convert PDF To Fillable Form

There are many tools you can use to make a PDF form editable so that you can easily fill that form on your device.

Let us understand them in detail.

#1) pdfFiller

Price: $8/mo

pdfFiller is an amazing online PDF editor, one that you don’t need to download. You can easily make pdf fillable with this website.

  • Go to the website.
  • Click on Browse for a Document on Your Computer.
 Browse for a Document on Your Computer
  • Go to the PDF file you want to convert.
  • Select the file.
  • Click Open.
  • Click on the box to type in it.
  • Use the toolbox to do more, like entering the date, signing, enter cross or check, etc.
the toolbox
  • When you are finished, click on Done.
  • Select what you want to do with the filled form.
Select what you want to do with the filled form

#2) Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Price: $14.99/mo

With Adobe, there is nothing you can’t do with your PDF. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a desktop editor that can easily convert your existing PDF forms to fillable forms. It can recognize the static form fields in the digital or scanned PDF file and convert them into fillable text fields.

Follow these steps:

  • Download and install Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
  • Open the app.
  • Click on Tools.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC tools section
  • Go to More Tools.
  • Select Prepare Form.
Select Prepare Form
  • Click on Select File to Convert to PDF.
Clik on Select File to Convert to PDF
  • Go to the PDF you want to convert.
  • Select the PDF.
  • Click Open.
  • Select Start.
  • You can fill the form now.
  • Add the new form fields, if you want.
  • Adjust the layout with the tools pane on your right-hand side.
  • Click Preview to see how your form looks.
  • Select Save As to save your PDF, or share and Distribute to share it to collect responses automatically.

#3) Soda PDF Online

Price:

  • Standard: $80
  • Pro:$78
  • Business: $200

Soda PDF is an easy-to-use tool that you can use to convert PDF into a fillable form. You can also create fillable PDF forms or edit a PDF document easily. Here’s how you can convert a PDF document into a fillable form.

  • Log in to your Soda PDF account
  • Click on Online Tools
  • Select View All Tools
View All Tools
  • Click on PDF Form Filler
PDF Form Filler
  • Choose the file you want to fill
  • Fill the file
  • Click on Save

#4) JotForm

Price: Free

This is an online form builder and extremely easy to use. You can use it to create online forms, publish them, and get an email for every response sent so you can collect the data. And you can use it to convert pdf to fillable forms online free.

Follow the steps below:

  • Go to the website.
  • Register using your Google or Facebook account.
  • Click on Fillable PDF Forms.
Click on Fillable PDF Forms
  • Select Convert PDF to Fillable Form.
Click on Select File to Convert to PDF
  • Select Upload PDF form.
Upload PDF form
  • Go to the PDF form you want to convert.
  • Select the doc.
  • Click Open.
  • You can now fill the form or customize its look.
  • When you are done, go to the Publish tab.
  • You can share the form through email.

#5) Sejda

Price: Free

Sejda is an amazing online tool that you can use to convert pdf to fillable form free. You can use it for free but it allows only 3 tasks per hour, up to 200 pages or 50 Mb. If you need more than that, go Premium.

Here is what you have to do:

  • Go to the website.
  • Click on Upload PDF File.
Upload PDF File
  • Go to the PDF file you want to convert.
  • Select the file.
  • Click Open.
  • Click on the box to type in it.
  • You can also make some changes to the form.
  • Click on Apply Changes.
  • Select Download.
Select Download

URL: Sejda


#6) PDFelement

Price: Free

PDFelement is a quick and advanced application that you can use to convert your PDF documents into fillable PDF forms.

  • Download and install PDFelement.
  • Launch the app.
  • Click on Open File.
Open File
  • Navigate to the PDF file you want to convert.
  • Click on the file.
  • Select Open.
  • When the PDF form opens, click on Form.
click on Form
  • Double-click on the box you want to type in.
  • Type the desired text in the Name box.
  • When you are done typing, click on Close.
 Close
  • To edit the form, select the tool from the tool tabs.
select the tool from the tool tabs
  • When you are done filling the form, go to File.
  • Select Save As.
Save As
  • Choose the location.
  • Name the file.
  • Click Save.

This is how to make a fillable pdf form without Acrobat.

URL: PDFelement


#7) PDFLiner

Price:

  • Free 5 days Trial
  • Basic plan costs $9/month
  • Pro plan costs $19/month
  • Premium plan costs $29/month

PDFLiner is an all-in-one online PDF editing tool that you can use to add a fillable form to your PDF document in just a matter of minutes. It is both quick and easy to use.

How to Use it:

  • Open the PDFLiner Website
  • Upload the PDF document you wish to edit
PDFLiner
  • In the editing interface, select ‘Add Field’
add field
  • Then Choose what type of Field to add.
Selecting the field
  • Move the cursor to the position on your PDF file where you would like to add the field.
Fillable field
  • Fill it up and Hit save.

#8) PDFSimpli

Price: Free

PDFSimpli appeals to us because of the convenience it offers. You don’t need to download and install software to use it. All you have to do is simply upload a PDF file from any system directly onto its web-based platform. From here, the tool provides you with all the tools you need to edit a PDF file or convert a PDF file into a fillable form.

To use PDFSimpli, follow the steps below:

  • Open the PDFSimpli website on your mobile or computer browser.
PDFSimpli
  • Either drag and drop a PDF file or hit the ‘Upload PDF to Convert’ button.
  • You’ll find a toolbox at the top of the online editor you were just redirected to.
PDFSimpli - Toolbox
  • Use it to add a text box to your documents or select a field to start editing.
  • Once done, simply hit the ‘Download’ button present on the far right-hand side of the same toolbar.
PDFSimpli

Bonus: Google Docs For Filling Not Editable PDF Forms

Price: Free

The easiest way is to convert the PDF into a Word file, fill it up and then save it back as a PDF. With Google Docs, you will not have to download any app to do that.

Here is what you have to do:

  • Open Google Docs.
  • Click on Go to Google Docs.
Go to Google Docs
  • Select Blank.
Select Blank
  • Go to File.
  • Select Open.
Select Open
  • Click on Upload.
  • Go to Select a File from your Computer.
Select a File from your Computer
  • Navigate to the file.
  • Select the file.
  • Click Open.
  • Click on Open With.
  • Select Google Doc.
Select Google Doc
  • Fill The form.
  • Go to File.
  • Select Download.
  • Click on PDF Document.
Click on PDF Document

Your filled form will be downloaded as a PDF.

URL: Google Docs

Also read =>> Top tools to convert PDF to Google Docs


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn a PDF into an interactive form?

Yes, you can do it with the help of Acrobat. Choose File and click on Open. Open the PDF form you want to convert. Go to the Tools pane and find the Forms panel. Click on Create. The app will analyze your form and will add the interactive fields to your form.

How do I convert a PDF to a fillable form without Acrobat?

You can use JotForm, Sejda, PDFelement, and similar tools for converting a PDF to a fillable form without Acrobat.

How do I make a PDF read-only in Adobe?

To make a PDF read-only, follow these steps:
– Click on File and select Open. Open the PDF you want to make read-only. Go to Tools and select Protection. Click on Encrypt. In the dialogue box that appears, click Yes.
– In the Password Security window, select the compatibility level you want for your document. Click the radio button next to the Encrypt All Document Contents option, uncheck the Require a Password option. Check the one next to the Restrict Editing and Printing option.
– Enter a password in the Change Permission Password area and note it down because if you want to make any changes later, you will need the password. Click OK, go to File, select Save As and save the PDF form.

How do I turn a Word document into a fillable form?

You can use websites like Sejda to convert a Word file into a fillable form. You can also use PDFelement. Open the app and click on File. Select Options and go to Customize Ribbon.
Under the Customize Ribbon option, select the Developer checkbox and click OK. Now open the Word file and go to the Developer Tab, select Design mode and select the controls you want to insert. Now, go to Properties and select Content Control Properties. Add the title, tag, etc, and save the file.
Further reading =>> Top tools to convert PDF to PNG format

How do I convert a PDF to an editable Word document?

Go to Google Docs and select a Blank document. Go to Files, click on Open and select Upload. Upload the PDF document and click Open. Your PDF is an editable Word document now.


Conclusion

You can easily convert the PDF document into a fillable form using Acrobat. It is the best option for doing anything with PDF. However, it is a Premium option.

Also Read =>> Review of the Top PDF Editors

If you don’t want to spend anything, you can go for PDFelement or websites like JotForm or Sejda. You can easily fill the form and save them back as a PDF file in no time.

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