Using Adobe Acrobat (ver 9) to make a fillable PDF

Alternatives to Acrobat and Acrobat Reader for simple operations such as merging PDFs.

These directions are for the Mac version of Adobe Acrobat Pro (version 9). Others should be similar.

I suggest you start with a Word document that you have as a template and save ('print') a copy of it as a PDF. See step 5 so data can be saved directly into the form.


1. Open the PDF in Acrobat and start the Form wizard under the Forms menu.

image of Starting Form Wizard


2. Choose 'Use the current form' and click on 'Next...'. It will quickly scan and finish.

image of form  image of form


3. Delete any unneeded fields such as signature field, add fields as needed.

image of form


4. Make sure tabs are ordered in a convenient/ logical way.

image of form


5. "You can save data typed into this form" - Enable Reader users to save form data (if appropriate) Ordinarily, Reader users can't save filled-in copies of forms that they complete. However, you can extend rights to users of Reader 8 and later so they can do so. In Acrobat Pro and Pro Extended, these rights also include the ability to add comments, use the Typewriter tool, and digitally sign the PDF.

Open a single PDF, or preview a component PDF in a PDF Portfolio. If you are editing the form, click Close Form Editing in the upper-right corner of the form .

Do one of the following:
(Acrobat Pro and Pro Extended) Choose Advanced > Extend Features In Adobe Reader.

(Acrobat Standard only) Choose Advanced > Extend Forms Fill-In & Save In Adobe Reader.

Other versions of Acrobat: Save data in interactive or fillable forms (File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Adding Text In Documents).
(Acrobat Pro) Type in non-fillable forms (File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Additional Features.
(Acrobat Pro) Add comments or digitally sign PDFs (File > Save As > Reader Extended PDF > Enable Additional Features).


Do you need to limit filling in more text than can be printed in a text entry field (or box)? When in form editing mode, double click that text field and uncheck 'Scroll Long Text'.


It is not worth spending any more time on these instructions. Tell me of any errors so I can correct them. Feel free to ask me for help.
"You cannot save data typed into this form"- see step 5 to change it so data can be saved to PDF.