Adobe Acrobat is too expensive for most people – for this reason, most people who work with PDF files search for more affordable alternatives. In this article, we will show you the alternatives you can use to make fillable PDF without Adobe Acrobat.
Method 1: Use Microsoft Word to Make a Fillable PDF
- Our PDF filler is packed with all of the essential features you need to create a fillable PDF form for free. online. From there, you can modify your PDF document and fill out PDF forms using our free. PDF editor tools; fill in text fields, check off checkboxes, add form fields, make selections from radio buttons, and much more!
- Step 3: Create a fillable PDF form. Now open the PDF file you just saved using the PDFelement Pro tool. Click on the 'Form' button and then you can create fillable form filed on Mac with several tools, such as 'Text Filed', 'Check Box', 'Radio Button', and 'Combo Box'.When you created fillable PDF fields, click 'Review' to check the PDF form.
If you do have Microsoft Word 2010 and higher, you won’t need any additional tool to create fillable PDF documents. To make a fillable PDF without Adobe Acrobat, you will simply need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Locate the Word file you would like to convert into a fillable PDF on your computer and open it. If you are yet to create the file, open Microsoft Word and then simply go to File > choose New.
Step 2: Show the developer tab in Word by selecting File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Select the Developer tab to enable it and then hit the OK button.
Step 3: Type the text you would like to have on the fillable PDF file.
List of Free PDF Form Fillers. If you fill out PDF forms frequently, you might have figured out that not every PDF-editing program lets you edit a form. Filling out forms by hand is time-consuming, so we’ve come up with a list of 10 best PDF form fillers. Read the article and choose the one that suits your needs. Top 10 PDF Fillers for Mac.
Step 4: For each item, you would like the users to enter some text, you will have to add some text control. To add the text control, you will need to visit the Developer tab > select Rich Text Content Control or Plain Text Content Control. Repeat for all the other fillable fields.
Step 5: To add a drop-down list or a combo box for any field that you would like to add multiple choices, you will simply need to select the Developer tab > click Drop-Down List Content Control or Combo Box Content Control. To customize the options available on the drop-down list or combo box, you will simply need to select Properties under the Developer tab.
Step 6: If you would like to have a checkbox on the fillable PDF file, you can add it by visiting the Developer tab > Check Box Content Control.
Step 7: Once you are done with customizing the document, you simply need to save it as a PDF file. To do this, visit File > Save As > give the file name > in the “Save as type” option, choose PDF > choose where to save the document and then hit the Save button.
Method 2: Use Google Docs
Google Docs is another free tool that you can use to make fillable PDF without Adobe Acrobat. To use this tool, all you will need is a Google account – if you do not have a Google account already, you can create one pretty quickly.
While Google Docs is quite similar to Microsoft Word, it does not offer much control over the process of making fillable PDF – this means that the fillable document you end up with may not look as sleek as the one you create using Microsoft Word. Below, we will show you how to make fillable PDF using Google Docs:
Step 1: On your computer web browser, visit https://drive.google.com/
Step 2: If you are not logged into your Google account, you will need to enter your Google email and password. If you do not have an account, simply select the Create Account option and follow the onscreen instructions.
Step 3: On Google Drive, click the New button > choose File Upload > select the PDF file you wish to make Fillable or editable.
Step 4: Once the file is uploaded to Google Drive, right-click on it > select Open with Google Docs and then give Google Drive a couple of seconds for it to process your document.
Step 5: Once the file opens in Google documents, click the File tab > choose Download As > select an ideal editable output format to save the document – for example, if you have Microsoft Word on your computer, choose the “Microsoft Word (.docx)” option.
Method 3: Create Fillable PDF Forms Online
This is another web-based tool that you can use to make a fillable PDF without Adobe Acrobat. The tool does allow its users to create the files for free if they use the Unregistered option – this option, however, denies you the ability to open the files you had worked with previously and continue with the editing where you had left it.
To enjoy the benefits of a registered user, you may need to pay $2.99/month subscription fees.
Below, we have the steps you will need to follow to create your fillable forms using PDFescape:
Step 1: Visit https://www.pdfescape.com/open/ via your computer’s web browser. Select “Create new PDF Document”. Select the Page Count, Page Size, and then hit the Create button.
Step 2: Under the Insert tab, you should find options which allow you to create your fillable form. Use the options and customize the fillable PDF to your liking.
Step 3: Once you are done, you can download the document to your computer.
Note: Why Online Editable PDF Creators Are Not the Best Option
While online PDF creators can do an impressive job for free, they have limitations that make them less ideal. These limitations include:
- They impose a lot of limitations – For example, most online tools will only allow you to work on PDF files featuring a specific size or number of pages.
- They lack privacy – When working on your fillable PDF online, you will be storing the document on a third-party server. This means that you cannot control who can view the files.
- They rely heavily on your internet connection – Without an internet connection, you cannot make fillable PDF files online. Also, if your connection is slow, you will waste too much of your time.
- Customization options are limited – This means that including all the options you want on the editable PDF file may not be possible.
- Some tools require your email address – The online tools will force you to enter your email address so that they can send you the fillable PDF file. This places you at the risk of receiving scam marketing emails.
The best way to avoid all these limitations is by making use of an offline PDF tool. Below, we will discuss offline tools you can use to make fillable PDF files.
Method 4: Use Paid Computer Programs to Make a Fillable PDF
If you do want to make fillable PDF without Adobe Acrobat regularly and you do not have Microsoft Word on your computer, you may want to invest in a tool to help you with the PDF file creation. While the tools we have outlined below will still require you to pay for them, they are much cheaper compared to Adobe Acrobat.
PDFelement Pro
This tool works on both macOS and Windows PC. The powerful editing tool allows you to modify the fillable forms to obtain a document that suits your needs. To use this tool, however, you will need to pay $129 for a lifetime license. This is much cheaper compared to paying $14.99 per month for Adobe Acrobat Pro.
To make fillable PDF without Adobe Acrobat using PDFelement Pro, you will need to follow the steps we have outlined below:
Step 1: Download and install PDFelement Pro on your macOS or Windows PC.
Step 2: After installing the tool, open it and then select File > Create > Blank Document.
Step 3: From the Form menu, create the fillable PDF file by selecting options like Text Field, CheckBox, Radio Button, List Box, etc. After adding all the needed elements, simply align them.
Step 4: After creating the fillable PDF, you can save it by visiting File > Save As > giving the document a name > hitting Save.
Method 5: Make PDF Fillable/Editable by Converting it to Word Using PDF WIZ
Most computer users have Microsoft Word installed on their computers – you can this program to fill out and edit your PDF files with ease. All you will have to do is convert the PDF files to Word. Converting the PDF to Word will give you control over all the text and fillable fields on the PDF file.
PDF WIZ makes the process of converting PDF to Word extremely easy. During the conversion process, PDF WIZ does not compromise the document’s quality – the output Word file will have the same quality as the input document.
PDF Wiz does not have any limitations when it comes to performing PDF conversions – the tool’s batch feature allows you to convert as many PDF files as you want in one go. To let you figure out whether PDF WIZ is an ideal solution for your PDF-related concerns, the team behind PDF WIZ lets you use all the tool’s features for free at first. With the free trial version, you get to decide whether upgrading to the paid version is worth it.
Below, we will show you how to convert PDF to Word in 3 simple steps:
Step 1: Download and install PDF WIZ on your computer. Launch the tool to proceed.
Step 2: On the home screen, click “Convert PDF to”. Drag and drop the PDF file you wish to make editable and then select “Word” under the document. Choose your preferred Word format and then select “Editability First” toward the right of “Convert Mode”.
Step 3: Towards the right of “Saved in” select the folder where you wish to save the converted file. Finally, click CONVERT NOW. The converted document should be fully editable.
Note: PDF WIZ supports all PDF-related operations. In addition to offering conversion, you can use it to merge, compress, split, add/remove password, extract images, etc. PDF WIZ is the true definition of an “all-in-one” PDF tool.
Bonus Tip: How to Make PDF Fillable/Editable on Mac
The two methods outlined below will work exclusively on Mac computers. However, you can still use the methods outlined above on your macOS too – for example, the online methods will work on all operating systems.
Method 6: Use Quick Look
Quick Look is an ideal tool for opening previews of anything on Mac computers without the need to open the associated software. When Apple updated the macOS operating system to Mojave back in 2018, it added the ability to edit PDF files using Quick Look. While you can’t make fillable PDF from scratch using Quick Look, you can use the tool to fill/edit any PDF file:
Step 1: On your Mac computer, locate the PDF you wish to edit. Select the document and press the spacebar – a preview of the document will appear.
Step 2: Towards the top-right, click the pencil icon. This should give you editing tools – these include shapes, drawing tools, and a text tool (the text tool will be a T in a box).
Step 3: Click on the text tool. Move the text box to the position where you wish to fill. Next, type in what you want to add to the PDF file.
Step 4: By default, the text will be red. To change the appearance, click the drop-down available beside the A – this will allow you to change the font, size, and text color.
Step 5: Once you are done with filling the PDF file, simply click Done to save your changes.
Method 7: Use Preview
If you are yet to update your macOS to Mojave, you can use the Preview app to make your PDF editable. The Preview app comes bundled with your Mac operating system. To use Preview to make PDF fillable without Adobe Acrobat, you will need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Locate the PDF document on your Mac > right-click on it > choose Open with > Preview.
Step 2: Select Tools on the Preview menu > choose Annotate > click Text.
Step 3: A small box will appear with the word “Text” inside. Drag the box to where you wish to add text. You can also resize the box to fit the PDF layout. Once you are happy with the box’s location, starting typing the information you want to add.
Step 4: To change the color, size, or text font, click on the slanted A icon towards the far right of the toolbar. This should allow you to open a standard formatting option that allows you to make the text appearance suit your needs.
Summary
If you would like to make a fillable PDF document without having to invest in Adobe Acrobat, this article should help you find ideal alternatives. While some of the tools listed in this article do require their users to pay for licenses, the tools’ lifetime licenses are cheaper than having to pay $14.99 per month for Adobe Acrobat subscription. If you have a stable internet connection, you can avoid paying for desktop programs by making use of online tools.
Jul 18,2019 • Filed to: PDF Form
- Create Fillable PDF Forms with PDF Editor. With JotForm’s Fillable PDF Form Creator, you can generate customized forms with blank fields that allow people to fill it out on their digital devices, submit it, and share the information with you automatically.
- Edit PDF files with PDFescape - an online, free PDF reader, free PDF editor & free PDF form filler. View PDF documents on the web. Fill out PDF forms quickly without Adobe Acrobat. No watermarks or registration. Completely free.
Edit PDFs with FormSwift - an online, free PDF editor. Fill out and sign PDF forms quickly in your browser.
Need to create PDF forms with a handy PDF form creator? Below are some of the top 10 free PDF form creator tools that you can use to create fillable pdf forms free, including PDFelement Pro.
Top 10 PDF Form Creators
#1: PDFelement Pro (Mac & Windows)
PDFelement Pro is a professional PDF fillable form creator which can provide you with a range of PDF solutions, including creating fillable and filling out PDF forms with ready-made PDF form templates. Create PDF Files, convert them to other file formats, and edit the content within them with Foxit PDF Editor. This PDF form creator for Windows lets you create professional PDF forms for business. This Professional PDF form editor also provides you with multiple PDF form templates to help you simplify the creation of fillable PDF forms.
Pros:
- Create fillable PDF forms and fill out PDF forms with a few clicks
- Complete PDF Toolset with affordable price
- Advanced OCR feature
Cons:
- Limited features in the trial version
How to Create Fillable PDF Forms
Step 1. Download and launch PDFelement Pro
Step 2. Create PDF Form on Your Mac or PC
Click 'Form' in the left toolbar >> select 'Text Field' to add text fields. You can also try more form tools like List Box, Radio Button, Check Box, Button or Dropdown Menu.
Step 3. Fill PDF Forms
Exit the 'Form' menu. Then all the fillable form fields are marked with light blue color.
#2: Foxit PDF Editor (Mac & Windows)
Free dive log software. Fillable PDF 2019 Foxit PDF Editor fills and creates Windows PDF forms, allowing for a smooth and simple user experience and high quality forms. It also comes with a range of PDF editing tools that allow you to edit/fill the forms you have created.
Pros:
- It is very easy to use.
- It comes with several editing features that allows you to manage your forms.
- It also comes with image editing capabilities thanks to an OCR feature.
Cons:
- It requires you to install a separate plug-in, which might be a bit frustrating as well as time consuming.
#3: PDF Studio (Mac, Windows & Linux)
PDF Studio is a multi-platform PDF Form Creator that can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux computers. It comes with an easy-to-use application that allows you to create fillable forms with a lot of ease. With PDF Studio, you can create forms from scratch, or import them from scanned documents, Word, text and image files, and then edit them.
Pros:
- It comes with an easy-to-use PDF creator that allows you to create forms from scratch or import and edit them from other files.
- It allows you to easily share the documents created by exporting them to Google Drive .
Cons:
- The free version of the program comes with watermarks, which affects the appearance of the documents.
#4: Nitro PDF Pro (Windows only)
Nitro PDF Pro is a popular PDF editor that provides a range of solutions when it comes to handling PDF documents. The application allows users to create PDF documents, including forms, and share them with other people easily, either online or offline. The application includes cloud support which lets you share and access files online, however, updates are still needed to improve the user experience.
Pros:
Pdf Form Creator Free Online
- It comes with an easy-to-use intuitive interface.
- It allows users to sign their documents.
- It comes with cloud capabilities.
Cons:
- Its performance is a bit slow when dealing with large PDF files.
#5: Adobe Acrobat DC (Mac & Windows)
How Do I Create A Fillable Pdf Form On A Mac
Adobe Acrobat DC fills and creates PDF forms, and provides a variety of PDF tools that helps users build forms quickly and easily. You can create forms from existing PDF files, or create customized forms from scratch.
Pros:
- It is very easy to create and edit your forms.
- You can share the created forms by exporting them.
Cons:
- You need to sign up for an account to use it.
Paper Form Creator
#6: PDFEescape (Windows & Online)
Apple Signature
PDFescape is an PDF editor that allows users to create PDFs for free. It also comes with an editor, which allows you to edit and view created PDF files. The application also allows you to print or download created forms for offline use. In addition, you can use the online sharing option to share your document with other users.
Pros:
- It features a very intuitive interface that makes it easy to create files.
- It comes with editing tools that allow you to edit and fill out your form.
Cons:
- It has a file size limitation of 10 MB.
#7: JotForm (Online)
JotForm is another free fillable PDF form creator that makes it easy for you to create fillable PDF forms for free. It comes with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop form builder, making it easy to create various fields of your form. The builder also features a built-in PDF Editor, which allows you to fill out the form and edit it.
Pros:
- It is very easy to use, featuring a drag-and-drop form builder.
- It comes with various form templates, saving you the time and effort of having to create forms from scratch.
- It does not require you to register for an account.
Cons:
- The application is designed for simple form building only, meaning it can be frustrating when creating more advanced forms.
#8: PDFzen/Doc Hub (Online)
PDFzen/Doc Hub is a free PDF form filler that allows users to create and edit PDF forms, and then fill them online and download them. To import PDF form templates in the interface, or using the application's form builder to create new forms from scratch, it's totally up to the users.
Pros:
- It comes with an easy to use, clean interface.
- It allows for easy sharing of of created forms using Gmail, Google Drive and Dropbox.
Cons:
- The forms are automatically saved and created entries cannot be deleted.
- You must sign up for an account to use the application.
#9: Formdesk (Online)
Formdesk is an PDF form builder that allows users to create a variety of forms including fillable PDF forms. It comes with an easy to use PDF editor, which allows you to easily create and edit forms through the drag and drop method.
Pros:
- It comes with a clean, user-friendly interface.
- It allows you to export your created forms for offline use.
Cons:
- It is a bit more complex than other form creators, and you will need time to learn the application before you can use it comfortably.
#10: Wufoo (Online)
Wufoo is another popular online fillable form creator, which allows you to create PDF forms easily. It is a flexible and easy-to-use website that allows you to create professional forms for various uses such as reports, collecting data, surveys, etc. It features a web interface that is very easy to navigate, and comes with a user friendly form builder that allows you to build forms in a matter of minutes.
Pros:
- It is very easy to use.
- It can be used for creating professional PDF forms that are more advanced.
- You can share the created forms by exporting them.
Cons:
- You must sign up to use the application.