How to Get a PDF Form to Fill Field Names
PDF is a portable document format first introduced by Adobe in 1990. This type of file allows users to make documents that are universally accessible. Almost any operating system can read, print and view these files. Many people use this file type to make forms, which can be printed and filled out by hand, or they can be filled out on the computer using a few tricks.
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Instructions
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Download Adobe Reader (see Resources). This is a free program that will allow you to manage an Adobe file, including viewing, searching and filling in forms. You will need a version of Adobe Reader that is compatible with your system. Enter your computer's system information at the Adobe site to find out what version is compatible with your system.
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Install Reader onto your computer. After the program has finished downloading, open the downloaded file and follow the installation directions. It is a small file, so this should only take a few minutes. You may need to restart your computer.
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Open the PDF form that you want to fill in. It will automatically open using Adobe Reader. Depending on what version of Reader you have, select either the pointing hand tool or the pointing finger. Move the tool over to an empty field box. If you are able to type in a box, you will see an I-beam cursor -- similar to the blinking cursor you would have in a word-processing document. Click in the box and type in the required information. Some forms have drop-down boxes. The select tool -- an arrow -- appears when you need to enter information in this type of box.
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Tips & Warnings
Move from entry field to entry field using the "Tab" key.
Use the "Esc" key to delete information in a box.
Save your document by clicking "File > Save as." Alternatively, click the "Submit form" button at the end of the document.
Depending on how it was designed, you may be able to sign a PDF document. Do this by clicking "Document > Sign > Sign document." Or click the "Sign" button in the signature panel.
PDF files can only be filled in on a computer if the form designer has allowed this. You can purchase a special PDF editor if you find yourself filling in a lot of these types of forms.
