How Can I Edit Forms in Adobe Reader?
Adobe Reader is a free-to-download PDF viewer, similar to its full version counterpart, Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Reader is primarily used to view PDF documents. While it doesn’t have advanced editing capabilities like Acrobat does, Reader has the tools to let you fill in interactive PDF forms. The form completion tools are exactly the same whether you use Reader or Acrobat. The only difference is you must have extended rights (granted by the form creator) to save a copy of your edited form in Reader.
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Instructions
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Open a PDF form in Adobe Reader.
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Select the “Hand” tool or the “Select” tool from the “Tools” menu, under the “Select & Zoom” submenu.
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Scroll over the editable form fields. If the form is interactive, the mouse pointer will change. You’ll see a pointing finger icon when you can choose a button, an item in a list or a check box. The Select tool displays when you can select an item in a list. The I-beam cursor appears when you are able to enter text in a box.
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Select a field you want to edit.
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Begin typing or make a selection, depending on the type of field it is.
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Press “Tab” to move to the next form field.
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Continue editing form fields until you’ve completed the form.
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Click “File” and then “Save a Copy.” This will save a copy of the original document. If the form author gave extended Reader rights to allow saving, click "File," "Save As," and you’ll be able to save your changes. Enter a new file name and select a destination folder. Click “Save.”
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Tips & Warnings
You can enable Auto-Complete to have Reader store common entries you made in the form fields. It will then make suggestions in a pop-up menu when you fill in other fields. To enable this option, click “Edit,” then “Preferences.” Click “Forms” on the left side of the window. Select the “Auto-Complete” menu and change it to “Basic” or “Advanced.” Select “Remember Numerical Data” to allow Reader to save numbers you enter as well.
