How to make a word document an editable pdf

Learn how to create fillable PDF forms in Microsoft® Word®. Get a free Word template that demonstrates best practices for Adobe® Acrobat® Automatic Field Detection.

Fillable PDF forms are based on documents created in other software like Microsoft Word.

Once a Word document is converted to a PDF, there are two ways to add fillable form fields:

  • Fast Way: The Adobe® Acrobat® Automatic Field Detection feature
  • Slow Way: Manually adding in form fields in Acrobat

Watch the tutorial video to learn how to design Word forms that convert to Fillable PDF forms with the least amount of effort.

Free Word Form Template to Create PDF Forms

Attached below is an example Word document that has sections designed to be auto recognized by Adobe Acrobat’s Automatic Field Detection feature.

How to make a word document an editable pdf

⇒ Free Word Form Template Download

Use this Word document as a template for creating your own word forms.

Tested Word Form Layouts That Convert to PDF Fields

Inserting tables in Word creates a framework for captions and fillable fields to occupy. How you size cells in a table makes a difference in the end user experience when converted to a PDF form. How you position caption text helps Adobe Acrobat identify fields more accurately.

Caption Text Position

When fields are to the right of captions, setting the caption text to right justified helps Acrobat place the fillable field into the correct cell. When captions are over top of fields (or in columns), left or center justification works fine.

Caption Text Font Size

Setting the caption text font size to about 1/2 the hieght of the fillable text areas allows more room for longer captions. Also, Acrobat better identifies the smaller text as a caption.

Example of Side-by-Side Fields (a good way to condense data)

How to make a word document an editable pdf

Example of Vertical Stacked Fields (if you have room, this layout is easier to use than side by side)

How to make a word document an editable pdf

Example of Captions Over Top

How to make a word document an editable pdf

How to make a word document an editable pdf

Form Field Row Height Settings

Setting the row height to a minimum of .30 allows end users enough space to use PDF forms on tablets and smaller laptops. This also helps Acrobat to properly auto identify fields.

How to make a word document an editable pdf

Enable your PDF forms to work in all Web Browsers

FormRouter has a service that renders PDF forms in all major Web Browsers (Chrome®, Safari®, Firefox® and IE) on all major devices (PCs, MACs, iPads®, iPhones®, Android® Tablets and Phones).

We call it the PDF Form Viewer. Learn More…

How do I make a document an editable PDF?

It's easy to make quick changes in Acrobat Pro..
Open your PDF file in Acrobat Pro..
Click the Edit PDF tool on the right-hand panel. ... .
Use editing tools to add new text, edit text, or update fonts using selections from the Format drop-down list..
Move, add, replace, or resize images using the tools in the Objects list..

How do I convert a Word document to an editable PDF online?

Follow these easy steps to turn Microsoft Word files into PDFs: Click the Select a file button above or drag and drop your Word doc into the drop zone. Select the RTF, TXT, DOCX or DOC file you want to convert to PDF. Watch Acrobat automatically convert the file.

How do I turn a Word document into a fillable form?

Creating Fillable Forms Using Microsoft Word.
Enable Developer Tab. Open Microsoft Word, then go to the File Tab > Options > Customize Ribbon > check the Developer Tab in the right column > Click OK..
Insert a Control. ... .
Edit Filler Text. ... .
Design Mode button again to exit the mode..
Customize Content Controls..

How do I convert a Word document to a fillable PDF without Acrobat?

To create a fillable PDF form, the first thing you'll need to do is set up a Jotform account. Once you've created an account and signed in, navigate to the PDF Editor > Fillable PDF Forms page. Click the Create a fillable PDF form button. Here, you can either create a new PDF or import an existing fillable PDF form.