Create fillable forms

Last update: November 7, 2025

CREATED FOR:

  • Beginner
  • User

Turn a scanned paper form or document created in InDesign, Microsoft Word, Excel, or other application into a fillable PDF form.

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Select All Tools Select Prepare a form Screenshot of Prepare a form
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Create a fillable form

1. Create a fillable form

Select All tools from the toolbar and choose Prepare a form.

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Make sure Auto-detect form field in ON. Select Create form. Screenshot of slide
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Get your form ready

2. Get your form ready

Select an existing file to begin (for example, a Word, Excel, InDesign, or PDF file). Make sure Auto-detect form field is ON so that Acrobat automatically detects form fields in the PDF. Select Create form.

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Drag and drop new form fields here. Change the properties of existing form fields here. Screenshot of slide
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Add or change form fields

3. Add or change form fields

Drag and drop fields from the left-hand pane to add new fields or edit existing form field details in the right-hand pane.

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Exit preview Screenshot of slide
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Preview form fields

4. Preview form fields

Once your fields are added, select Preview to see your form. Select Exit preview to continue work, or select Save to save the PDF form.

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