Turn a PDF into a Fillable Form, Right in Your Browser
You have a PDF and you want real fields people can type into, check, or pick from. With the fillPDF Editor you can build those fields in the browser, your file stays on your device, and the result uses standard AcroForm fields that viewers understand.
Before you begin
Use a current browser on desktop for the smoothest experience. Mobile works, a mouse is simply nicer for alignment. Large PDFs render page by page. Give the first pass a moment on older hardware.
Note: Everything runs locally in your browser. The PDF is not uploaded.
Step 1: Open your PDF
Open the fillPDF Editor, click Load PDF, and pick your file. Pages appear one after another. Set a comfortable zoom with + and −.
Step 2: Choose a field type
Pick a tool in the top bar. If you are not sure which one you need, start with Monoline Text for short answers or jump to Field types explained for examples and gotchas.
Field types explained
Monoline Text
What it is: A single line input. The text scrolls horizontally if the user types past the visible width.
Use it for: Names, dates, short IDs, phone numbers, amounts.
Key properties in the editor: Width, Height, Font, Alignment.
Viewer behavior: Works in common viewers. Long text remains in the field but may scroll on screen. But printing shows only the text that fits the box.
Tip: Center alignment looks neat for dates and short codes. Left alignment reads best for names and addresses.
Multiline Text
What it is: A text area that wraps lines and grows vertically inside its box.
Use it for: Addresses, comments, descriptions, free form answers.
Key properties in the editor: Width, Height, Font, Alignment. Keep the box tall enough for typical answers.
Viewer behavior: Text wraps within the box. Most viewers show scrollbars if the content exceeds the height.
Caution: If you expect long answers, give the box generous height. Do not rely on the viewer to make it taller when printing.
Checkbox
What it is: A square toggle that is independent of other checkboxes.
Use it for: Yes or no choices, multiple selections that can be checked together.
Key properties in the editor: Width & Height. Keep the size close to the printed checkbox on the page so the click target matches the visual.
Viewer behavior: Users can check or uncheck freely. Printing shows the check if selected.
Tip: Place the checkbox square over any preprinted box on the PDF. Do not cover the label text, just the box.
Radiobox
What it is: A round option in a set where only one can be on at the same time.
Use it for: Mutually exclusive choices like Title, Payment Method, Shipping Speed.
Key properties in the editor: Width, Height, Group. Every radio in the same group name becomes part of one set. Give each set a distinct group name, for example PaymentMethod or Delivery.
Viewer behavior: Clicking one option turns others in the same group off.
Caution: If radios in different questions toggle each other, they share a group name by mistake. Rename one set in the properties bar.
Dropdown
What it is: A pick list that shows one selected value.
Use it for: Country, State, Size, Department, fixed vocabularies where you want one answer only.
Key properties in the editor: Width, Height, Options. Enter a comma separated list, for example Small, Medium, Large. The first item is a sensible default.
Viewer behavior: Users open a list and choose one option. Printing shows the selected value as text.
Tip: Keep option labels short. If you need explanations, place them in nearby document text instead of the dropdown.
Link
What it is: A clickable area on your pdf that opens a URL.
Use it for: Privacy policy links, help pages, terms of service.
Key properties in the editor: Width, Height, URL. Paste a full address such as https://example.com.
Viewer behavior: Whether the link opens in a new tab depends on the viewer. We not control that beforehand.
Caution: Do not place links where a user would try to type. Keep them away from form fields to avoid accidental clicks.
Step 3: Place and size fields
Click to create a field. It lands centered under your cursor so you can line it up quickly. Drag to move. Resize using the small handles. To delete, press Delete or Backspace or use the trash button in the properties bar.
Note: The light highlight you see while editing is for guidance only. It does not print with normal print settings.
Step 4: Tune properties
Select a field and adjust details in the bottom properties bar. You can set width and height precisely, choose font size for text fields, pick alignment, enter radio group names, write dropdown options, or paste a link URL.
Step 5: Duplicate with Copy mode
When you need several identical fields, select one and click Copy. You can now stamp that preset wherever you click. Click Copy again or pick another tool to exit.
Step 6: Pan and zoom
Zoom in with + for accuracy and out with − to see the page. Switch to Move to pan the page and reposition your view. Your fields keep their correct positions as you zoom.
Step 7: Export and test
- Click Export PDF. A short progress dialog appears while the editor writes the fields.
- Click Download PDF and open the file in your viewer of choice.
- Test each field. Type in text fields, check and uncheck checkboxes, pick one radio per group, open the dropdown, and click the link.
Caution: If your viewer offers a setting named Print Document and Markups, it can include editor only highlights. For clean output, print the document content only.
Troubleshooting
Fields do not appear. Turn on the viewer option to highlight existing fields for testing. Some viewers hide outlines until focus.
Radio buttons all toggle together. They share a group name by accident. Give each question a unique group name.
Unexpected borders are visible. That is usually the viewer style for editing. Try another viewer, or click inside a field and check print preview.
Large PDFs feel slow. Close heavy tabs, keep a reasonable zoom level, and let the first render finish before placing many fields.