what is the best way to fill out a form in PDF format?

[wfriedwald]

What is the best way to fill out a form in PDF format?

the answer is probably PREVIEW, but I would like to hear if others have different experiences and recommendations.

Thanks very much in advance!

w

 

[telecomm]

I've found it's best to use Adobe Acrobat Reader (which is free), as it's more reliable than Preview, particularly with forms. In the past I've had forms filled with Preview not save correctly, and I've never had a problem with Reader. For just reading PDFs, I stick with Preview.

 

[wfriedwald]

thank you so much! I will try it immediately! much appreciated.

 

[fisherking]

i do this all the time in preview. you open the toolbar, select the text box (you can set font color & size etc on the right).
i put a textbox where i need it, type in info.

what i also do: option-drag that box to the next area, which copies the box. then i replace the text with what info i need. seems simpler than making a NEW text box, then placing it where you want, then typing.

so simple! save it, and it's a filled-in pdf 👍

 

[telecomm]

i do this all the time in preview. you open the toolbar, select the text box (you can set font color & size etc on the right).
i put a textbox where i need it, type in info.

what i also do: option-drag that box to the next area, which copies the box. then i replace the text with what info i need. seems simpler than making a NEW text box, then placing it where you want, then typing.

so simple! save it, and it's a filled-in pdf 👍

I do this sometimes too, and it's great for a flat PDF file (i.e., one without actual form fields built in).

However, when there are actual form fields embedded in the document Preview can get things wrong. For example, some form fields have javascript data validation (they'll automatically reformat a date to fit a specific format, etc.), and Preview (unlike Reader) doesn't run embedded javascript, so your bad data gets entered. Email your form back to a company where form data is, for example, automatically imported into a database, and some of the data you've entered may either be rejected or deleted.

 

[fisherking]

I do this sometimes too, and it's great for a flat PDF file (i.e., one without actual form fields built in).

However, when there are actual form fields embedded in the document Preview can get things wrong. For example, some form fields have javascript data validation (they'll automatically reformat a date to fit a specific format, etc.), and Preview (unlike Reader) doesn't run embedded javascript, so your bad data gets entered. Email your form back to a company where form data is, for example, automatically imported into a database, and some of the data you've entered may either be rejected or deleted.

i've not encountered any issues with a pdf with embedded form fields... yet. but good information, thanks!

 

[ignatius345]

I prefer Preview generally, but for filling out forms I find Acrobat gives more consistent results.