Creating a fillable PDF form in Word

Overview

Word can be used to create a fillable PDF form to gather information. A form saved as a PDF protects the integrity of your document. This form can be shared quickly for others to complete. There are two ways to create a fillable form in Word; by using the predefined Form templates or by using the Developer Tab where specific form controls are used to insert the fillable fields.

Procedures

Using the Form templates in Word

The quickest and easiest way is to use a form template already created in Word and then update the fields that you will need. Fields can be changed or deleted with the text needed for your form. This form is then saved as a .pdf and then this form can be opened in Adobe Reader and the recipient can click and complete the fields.

Open Word and then click File - New
Type Forms in the “Search for online templates” line and press Enter.
Click once on a form and then click Create.
Make changes to the fields.
Click File - Save As
Name the form and save this as a .pdf file.

Open and test the form in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Any newly created form should be tested in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Open the .pdf form in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click the Fill & Sign option from the right panel.
Click in a field and begin typing.

Add the Developer Tab

Before you can create a fillable form in Word, you will need to turn on the Developer tab to use all the advanced tools needed to create a form from scratch.

Click File - Options - click Customize Ribbon on the left - check Developer under Customize the Ribbon on right side.

[Word Options screen with Customized Ribbon and Developer highlighted]

2. Click OK.

The Developer tab appears with form controls along with other options.

Create a Form in Word

After adding the Developer Tab, you will use the content controls to build the form.

Create your form.
Click to the right of the field where you want to begin to create your form.
Click the Developer tab. EXAMPLE:

Student Registration Form

[Student Registration form table with cell to the right of Firstname highlighted]

4. Click Design Mode under the Controls area.

There are various Design Modes to choose from.

[Design Mode form controls icons]

Types of Form Controls

[Types of From Controls from website: https://www.customguide.com/word/how-to-create-a-fillable-form-in-word]

5. Adding plain text to Firstname: In the example below click to the right of Firstname: and then click the plain text button .

-You can add a description of what you want them to type into the field.

[Table with cell to the right of Firstname: highlighting Type your firsname]

6. Adding a date for the DOB using the Date Picker button .

[Table with third row DOB field cell to the right with select your date of birth highlighted]

7. Once all the design controls are added, click the Design mode button again to turn off Design Mode. NOTE: When Design Mode is off you cannot add any more design controls.

Finalize the Form

Before sending the form out to others, you should restrict editing the document otherwise those who are going to fill this out could edit the form themselves.