How to Add Fillable Fields to a PDF

The fastest way depends on what you already have

If you have a PDF that needs fillable fields, your route depends on whether the PDF is a scanned image or text-based. A text-based PDF (one where you can select and copy text) can accept fields in most PDF editors. A scanned image needs to be converted to text first, which takes an extra step and costs money in some tools.

The simplest path for most people is Adobe Acrobat Pro, which has a "Prepare Form" button that finds text fields automatically and lets you add more by hand. If you do not want to pay for Acrobat, free tools like LibreOffice Draw or Sejda can add fields to text-based PDFs, though they require more manual work. For scanned documents, you will need OCR (optical character recognition) software, which reads the image and converts it to editable text first.

Key Takeaways

Text-based PDFs can accept fillable fields in most editors; scanned images need OCR conversion first, which adds time and sometimes cost.
Adobe Acrobat Pro's "Prepare Form" feature finds and creates fields automatically, but costs $180 per year.
Free tools like LibreOffice Draw and Sejda can add fields manually to text-based PDFs without a subscription.
Once fields are added, you can set them to required, add dropdown options, or restrict input to numbers or dates.

Using Adobe Acrobat Pro for automatic field detection

Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro and click the "Prepare Form" button in the right panel. Acrobat scans the document and automatically detects text areas where fields should go — usually anywhere there is blank space after a label like "Name:" or "Date:". The software creates text fields, checkboxes, or dropdown menus depending on what it finds.

Review each field Acrobat created and adjust the type if needed. Right-click any field to change it from a text box to a checkbox, radio button, or dropdown list. You can also add fields by hand: click "Add Text Field" and draw a box where you want it. Once all fields are in place, save the PDF. Anyone who opens it can now click into the fields and type or select options without editing the document itself.

This method is fastest if you have many forms to process, because Acrobat does most of the work. The trade-off is the yearly cost of Acrobat Pro, which is $180 annually or $20 per month. If you only need to add fields to one or two documents, a free tool may be worth the extra time.

Adding fields manually in LibreOffice Draw

LibreOffice Draw is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Open your PDF in Draw and you can add fields directly. Click the "Form" menu and select "Design Mode" to turn on field editing. Then use the toolbar to insert text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, or dropdown lists anywhere on the page.

Draw does not detect fields automatically, so you will place each one by hand. Click where you want a field, drag to size it, and set its properties in the dialog that opens. You can name the field (important if the PDF will be processed by software later), set it as required, or add a default value. Once you finish, turn off Design Mode and save the file as a PDF.

This approach takes longer than Acrobat's automatic detection, especially on long forms. It works well for short documents or when you need precise control over field placement. LibreOffice is also the better choice if you need to edit the PDF's text or layout at the same time you add fields.

Using Sejda for quick online field creation

Sejda is a web-based tool that works in any browser without installing software. Go to Sejda.com, click "Edit PDF", and upload your file. Once it opens, click the "Add Form Field" button and choose the type: text, checkbox, radio button, dropdown, or signature box. Draw the field on the page where you want it.

Sejda's interface is simpler than LibreOffice but less powerful than Acrobat. You cannot set conditional logic (like "show this field only if that checkbox is checked") or add complex validation rules. For straightforward forms — a name field, an email field, a checkbox or two — Sejda is fast and requires no learning curve. The free version allows two tasks per hour; paid plans remove that limit.

Sejda is useful if you work on different computers or prefer not to install software. The downside is that your PDF uploads to their servers, which matters if the document contains sensitive information. Check Sejda's privacy policy before uploading anything confidential.

Converting scanned PDFs with OCR first

If your PDF is a scanned image (a photograph of a paper form), you cannot add fields to it directly. You need OCR software to read the image and convert it to text first. Adobe Acrobat Pro includes OCR; open the scanned PDF and click "Enhance Scans" in the right panel, then let Acrobat process it. Once conversion is complete, use "Prepare Form" as described above.

Free OCR options include Google Docs (upload the image, right-click, and select "Open with Google Docs") and IronOCR online. These tools convert the image to a text-based PDF or document, which you can then read and add fields to in LibreOffice or Sejda. The conversion is usually accurate for clean, printed text but may struggle with handwriting or poor image quality.

OCR adds 10 to 15 minutes to the process and sometimes requires cleanup — fixing words the software misread. If you have many scanned forms, consider whether it is faster to ask for the original digital file instead of converting images.

Setting field properties and validation rules

Once a field exists, you can control what goes into it. In Acrobat Pro, right-click the field and choose "Properties". You can set it as required (the form cannot be submitted without an answer), add a default value that appears when someone opens the form, or restrict input to numbers, currency, dates, or a specific format like a phone number.

Dropdown fields need a list of options. In Acrobat, add each option in the "Options" tab of the field properties. Radio buttons and checkboxes can be grouped so only one in the group can be selected at a time. LibreOffice Draw has similar options in its field properties dialog, though the interface is less polished.

These settings make forms easier to fill correctly. A date field that only accepts dates in MM/DD/YYYY format prevents someone from typing "January 5th" by mistake. A required field stops someone from submitting a form with a blank name. Spend a few minutes setting these up when you create the form, and you will save time later when people fill it out.

Testing your form before sharing it

Before you send the PDF to others, open it in a PDF reader (not an editor) and test each field. Click into text boxes and type. Click checkboxes and radio buttons to make sure they toggle. Try selecting options from dropdowns. If you set a field as required, try submitting the form without filling it and confirm the form blocks you.

Test in the same PDF reader your audience will use. Adobe Reader (the free version) handles most fields correctly, but some older readers or mobile apps may not support all field types. If your form will be filled on phones, test it on a phone. If it will be printed and scanned back, make sure the fields are large enough and clearly labeled.

Save a clean copy of the form before you share it. Once someone fills it out and saves, their data is embedded in that copy. Keep the original blank template so you can reuse it for the next person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add fields to a PDF I do not own?

Technically yes, but only if the PDF is not password-protected. If the owner locked the document against editing, you will need the password to add fields. If it is unlocked, you can edit it, but you should ask permission first — adding fields to someone else's document without consent is not appropriate.

What is the difference between a text field and a signature field?

A text field lets someone type words or numbers. A signature field is designed for digital signatures — it shows where someone should sign and can be linked to a digital signature service like DocuSign. If you just need a place for a name, use a text field. Use a signature field only if you need a legally binding digital signature.

Can I make a field that only accepts numbers?

Yes, in Adobe Acrobat Pro and LibreOffice Draw. Open the field properties and set the format to "Number" or "Currency". You can also set a minimum and maximum value — for example, a quantity field might accept only numbers between 1 and 100. Sejda does not offer this level of control.

What happens if someone fills out my form and saves it?

Their answers are saved inside the PDF file. When you open it again, you will see their filled-in data. If you want to reuse the form, open the original blank copy, not the filled one. Some PDF readers let you flatten a form (merge the fields into the background so they cannot be edited), which is useful if you want to archive a completed form.

Can I add fields to a PDF on my phone?

Most phone apps cannot add fields — they can only fill them out. To add fields, use a computer with Adobe Acrobat Pro, LibreOffice Draw, or Sejda in a web browser. Once the form is ready, you can fill it on a phone using any PDF reader app.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.