by Sally Cox 
In the first article in this series, we discovered all the ways to create PDFs. Now that I have a PDF that I want to convert to a form, I am ready to add text fields.
As you'll recall, I created a postcard-sized PDF in Adobe Illustrator that I want to use for my form. I added shaded boxes where I want the text fields to be.
I want to emphasize you can do what I am about to show you with a simpler form--for example, one you created in Word with just text and no images. I will show you how to do both in this series.
Here is my PDF opened in Adobe Acrobat. (If you'd like to download the PDF shown below, click here. Be sure to save the PDF to your computer and then open it.)
Notice the vertical list of categories on the right side of Acrobat.
I chose Prepare Form (which took me to a screen where I could select the PDF to convert to a form). I usually have the PDF I want to convert open when I do this step, but you can always browse and find the document if necessary.
Adding Form Fields
Acrobat can detect fields for you, specifically in Word documents. It does an excellent job of detecting where the fields should go. However, I create a lot of documents in Illustrator or other applications that are design-heavy. Acrobat does not do a good job with automatically detecting fields in those types of documents. In that case, I tap Change hyperlink and turn off Form field auto detection. Then I create the fields myself.
At the top of the document, there are Form Fields and other Form tools.
I chose the Add a Text Field tool, clicked and dragged across where the Date field is on my form. Because I have a shaded box in place, I chose to make the field transparent.
Once I've added the field, I name it, and tap Properties. Here's where I can change settings for the text field.
Note: Always name your fields. When someone submits the form data to you by tapping the Submit button, the info returned is "Name=Value." If you don't name your fields, you'll receive "Text Field 12=Yes" and you won't know what the question was. Name your fields.
Text Field Properties - General allows you to name the field, add a tool tip (always a good idea, and for accessibility), and show other options for visibility.
Text Field Properties - Appearance allows you to add or remove Fill and Stroke to the field. Here, I have chosen to remove both and keep it transparent. I also can choose Font, Size and Color for the text the user will enter.
Text Field Properties - Position allows you to exactly position the field. I skipped over that and went to Text Field Properties - Options. Here, I set the alignment, any default text I want to appear in the field and set options for the text. One idea is to check multi-line if your question might involve a lengthy answer. Or you can limit the number of characters, such as an account number.
Text Field Properties - Format is where you can choose things like zip code, Social Security number or in this case, date. For this example, I'm skipping over Text Field Properties - Actions, Text Field Properties - Validate and Text Field Properties - Calculate.
Here is what the text field looks like when I am in edit mode. If I preview it, I will be able to see the field is transparent.
And here is the postcard with the text field in place. I have previewed it and entered type to see what it looks like. If the text seems too big, I can edit the Appearance tab in the Text Field Properties.
Next time: Drop-down menus and adding a Submit button.
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