Creating forms is an essential task for businesses and individuals alike. Digital forms have revolutionized data collection and management, offering numerous advantages over traditional paper forms. They streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance data accuracy. Adobe Acrobat has long been a popular choice for creating sophisticated fillable forms. However, BreezePDF offers a compelling alternative, providing a streamlined and user-friendly experience.
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Create Fillable PDF for Free →This article will guide you through the steps of how to make a form in adobe Acrobat, while also introducing BreezePDF as an accessible solution for your form creation needs. We'll explore the benefits of digital forms, the process of creating them in Adobe, and how BreezePDF simplifies the entire process.
Why Use Fillable PDF Forms?
Fillable PDF forms offer a significant upgrade over traditional paper forms. They are particularly beneficial for remote teams and customers, as they can be easily distributed and completed electronically. This eliminates the need for printing, scanning, and mailing, saving time and resources.
Another major advantage is the ease of collecting electronic signatures. Fillable PDF forms can include designated fields for signatures, making it simple to obtain legally binding agreements. This enhances efficiency and reduces the risk of lost or damaged documents.
Fillable PDF forms also provide centralized and secure data storage. Responses are collected electronically and can be stored in a database, making it easy to analyze and track information. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors. The compatibility of PDF files across both Mac and PC platforms ensures widespread accessibility. Customization options allow businesses to tailor forms to their specific needs, reinforcing their brand identity.
Finally, the shareability of these forms via email enhances collaboration and efficiency. Sharing PDF documents is quick and simple, especially when compared to sharing paper-based materials. Fillable PDFs truly make a significant difference in improving workflow.
Creating a Form from Scratch in Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat provides a robust set of tools for creating forms from scratch. Start by opening Adobe Acrobat and navigating to the "See all tools" option, then select "Prepare a form". This will open the form creation interface.
Next, choose "Start from blank page > Create form." This will open a blank PDF document where you can begin building your form. The left pane displays the available form components, such as text fields, checkboxes, and dropdown lists.
To add text and labels, simply use the text tool to type directly onto the PDF. You can then add various form components by selecting them from the left pane and dragging them onto the desired location on the page. Form components available include text fields for collecting names and addresses, image fields for logos, checkboxes for yes/no questions, radio buttons for multiple choice selections, dropdown lists for predefined options, buttons to trigger actions, date fields for easy date entry, e-signature fields for digital signatures, and barcodes to encode data.
Once a field is placed, you can set its properties by right-clicking on it and selecting "Properties". This allows you to customize the field's appearance, validation rules, and other settings. After adding the fields, use the preview mode to experience the user perspective. Exit preview mode to further edit and refine your form.
Once you're satisfied with the form, save it to your desired location. It's crucial to save the form periodically to avoid losing your work. After clicking “save”, you now have a PDF that’s fillable for anyone using Adobe or even BreezePDF.
Converting Existing Documents into Fillable PDF Forms
Adobe Acrobat can also convert existing documents, such as Word, Excel, or scanned documents, into fillable PDF forms. To do this, open Acrobat and go to the "All tools" menu, then select "Prepare a form."
Select a file from your computer or scan a document directly into Acrobat. Acrobat will automatically analyze the document and attempt to add form fields based on the existing text and layout. After the fields are recognized, the user can still adjust to make any changes.
Review the automatically added form fields and adjust them as needed. Adobe Acrobat uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to recognize text in scanned documents and convert it into editable text. Add new form fields and adjust the layout using the top toolbar and right pane tools. Save the fillable PDF once you're satisfied with the result.
Adding and Editing Form Components
Adding various form fields allows you to create comprehensive and user-friendly forms. Text fields are ideal for collecting names, addresses, and other textual information. Image fields allow users to upload images, such as logos or profile pictures.
Checkboxes provide a way for users to select binary choices, such as yes/no or true/false. Radio buttons allow users to select one option from a group of predefined choices. Dropdown lists offer a convenient way to present users with a list of predefined options to choose from.
Buttons can be used to trigger actions, such as submitting the form or resetting the fields. Date fields simplify the process of entering dates in a standardized format. E-signature fields allow users to add their digital signatures to the form. Barcodes can be used to encode data for easy scanning and processing.
Distributing and Collecting Responses
Once your form is created, you need to distribute it and collect responses. Click "Send" or "Share" to access the distribution options. Adobe Acrobat offers several distribution methods, including Email, Internal Server, and Adobe Acrobat Sign.
The Email option allows you to collect responses directly in your inbox. The Internal Server option allows you to store responses on a SharePoint server or network folder. The Adobe Acrobat Sign option is designed for collecting e-signatures and managing the signing process.
You can track the status of distributed forms using the Tracker. This allows you to see which recipients have completed the form and send reminders to those who haven't. Each distribution method is great for specific scenarios, so choose the option that best suits your needs.
Fill and Sign Tools in Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat also offers a "Fill & Sign" tool, which is useful for filling out non-interactive forms. It is important to note the difference between this tool and the creation form tool. The creation tool builds the form, and the fill and sign tool is only for filling out a flat document.
Adobe also provides a Fill & Sign mobile app for filling out forms on the go. The highlight fields option is used to help guide users through interactive forms. By using the highlight function, you’re able to quickly see any parts of the PDF document that are editable. This can vastly improve filling out forms for others.
BreezePDF: A Streamlined Alternative for Form Creation and PDF Editing
BreezePDF presents a user-friendly and 100% private alternative to Adobe Acrobat for form creation and PDF editing. BreezePDF allows you to create PDFs for free. It is the only PDF editor that is 100% private, meaning your documents are never sent to a server. They stay on your device. All the magic happens in your browser!
BreezePDF offers key features such as easy PDF form creation, efficient PDF editing, and signature collection capabilities. You can add input boxes, type on the PDF, sign the PDF, add images, password protect the PDF, merge PDFs, and even delete PDF pages.
When compared to Adobe Acrobat, BreezePDF stands out due to its ease of use and cost-effectiveness. While Adobe Acrobat offers a comprehensive set of features, it can be overwhelming for users who only need basic form creation and editing capabilities. BreezePDF simplifies the process, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Best of all, it’s completely free to use.
How BreezePDF Simplifies Form Creation
BreezePDF simplifies form creation by providing a drag-and-drop interface. You can add input boxes, text fields, checkboxes, and other form elements with just a few clicks. Once the element is added, it can be freely moved to any location on the document.
You can also add images to the PDF document, password protect your PDF, and easily delete pages. With BreezePDF, you can create fillable forms in a fraction of the time it takes with Adobe Acrobat.
BreezePDF also offers a clean and intuitive interface, so you don't have to be an expert to create and fill out a form.
Additional Resources
For further assistance, you can find BreezePDF tutorials and a user guide on our website. These resources provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for using BreezePDF. Also explore all our other helpful blogs, like how to make a PDF editable.
For those using Adobe Acrobat, you can find helpful information on the Adobe Acrobat Help Center and JavaScript API Reference. These resources provide detailed documentation and support for using Adobe Acrobat's advanced features.
Conclusion
Creating fillable forms is a valuable skill that can improve efficiency and streamline data collection. While Adobe Acrobat is a powerful tool for form creation, BreezePDF offers a more accessible and user-friendly alternative.
BreezePDF empowers you to create and manage PDF forms effortlessly. Embrace the convenience and privacy of BreezePDF for all your form creation needs. Give it a try today and experience the difference!