Are you looking for a way to create professional PDF forms? If so, you have come to the right place! This ultimate guide will provide you with all the information you need to create professional and reliable PDF forms that will be accepted by a multitude of providers and organizations. We will discuss the basics of PDF form creation, the various tools available to you, and the best practices for formatting and submitting your forms. By the end of this guide, you will be equipped with all the knowledge necessary to create and submit professional PDF forms with ease and confidence. So, let’s get started!

What is a PDF form?

A PDF form is a document that contains fields that can be filled out by the user. These fields are often designed in a way that ensures data is accurate and consistent. PDF forms are often used by businesses to collect information from customers, employees, and other parties that are involved in the company’s operations. In fact, according to a survey, 20% of people prefer to use PDF forms for online data collection compared to other digital formats like web forms and mobile apps. They are also seen as being more secure and convenient to use compared to paper forms. The data collected through PDF forms can be stored locally or uploaded to a server. It can also be exported to a CSV file, which is a common format used by Excel. You can also use a PDF form to send data to someone like a client or supplier. For example, you can send a form that asks for their contact details. PDF forms are often used for online surveys, checkout processes, and to distribute information like manuals or policies.

Benefits of creating and using PDF forms

Accuracy: Data can be collected and retained more accurately and consistently when using PDF forms compared to many other digital or paper-based formats.

Security: The information collected in a PDF form is stored in a secure way, which is especially beneficial if the form is used to collect sensitive information, such as medical or financial details.

Simplicity: Using a PDF form instead of other digital formats can simplify the data collection process and make it easier to use.

Timeliness and reliability: PDF forms are widely accepted and are seen as being more reliable as a result. They are also time-sensitive, which is ideal for situations where data needs to be collected promptly.

Ease of editing: Data can be edited using a PDF form, which is an advantage compared to other digital formats where the data is often unchangeable once it has been collected.

Tools for creating PDF forms

A computer: Well, you do need a computer to create and edit PDF forms. But, besides this, computers are not necessary. If you’re looking to create a form that will just be used internally and won’t be sent to clients or suppliers, then you don’t need a computer. In this situation, you can create the form on your phone or tablet.

A software program: A computer program, such as Adobe Acrobat, is needed to create the actual PDF form. You can also use a free online tool to create and edit PDF forms, though the options will be less robust.

A scanner: If you want to use a paper-based form, then a scanner can help you digitize it so that it can be converted into a PDF file.

Creating a PDF form from scratch

Decide if you want to create a paper-based or digital form: This is the first step towards creating a PDF form. You should decide whether you want to create a paper-based or digital form. Additional factors to consider are how you want the form to be designed and how you will collect the data.

Create your form: Once you’ve decided on the form type, it’s time to start creating your PDF form. Your form can contain boxes for data, fields for specific information, or an open-ended text box.

Add a header and footer: A header and footer are added to the top and bottom of every page of your PDF form. They are useful if you want to include information like the document title, page number, or information about the person receiving the form.

Save your PDF form: You should save your PDF form after you have finished creating it. It’s best to save it as a new file rather than editing an existing file. This is because you won’t accidentally overwrite the original file.

Formatting a PDF form

Select a design: You can use a blank template that is provided with the PDF editor or software program. Alternatively, you can design a form from scratch that is personalized to your specific needs.

Add an ID: An ID is an identifier that is used to uniquely identify a form. It can be helpful if you want to link two different PDF files or if you want to track the progress of your form.

Add a title: The title of your form can be included at the top of the first page. You can also add a table of contents to the first page, which can be helpful if the form is lengthy.

Add a header and footer: You can add a header and footer to the first page of your PDF form. If you do, the information will be included on every page.

Submitting a PDF form

Choose your recipients: Before you submit your form, you need to decide who will receive it. You can send it to your clients, suppliers, other service providers, or even an internal team.

Decide on the transmission method: You need to decide how you will transmit your form after you have decided who will receive it. You have several options, such as emailing it as an attachment, uploading it to a server, or sending it via a shared network drive.

Best practices for creating PDF forms

Keep your forms short: Longer forms can be discouraging for users, especially for online forms. If you expect the form to be filled out on a computer, then a shorter form is recommended. If the form will be filled out on paper, then there is no need to keep it brief.

Include a table of contents: If your form is long and is made up of multiple pages, then a table of contents can be very helpful. It can help your recipients easily navigate the form and find the information they are looking for.

Be consistent: When creating your form, you should be consistent with the font type, font size, and any other design elements you decide to use. If a specific font type is required for a specific organization or provider, then you should use a similar font type.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

File size is too large: If you are finding that your PDF file is too large, then you can try to reduce the image quality and reduce the number of images that are used on each page.

Images are not displayed: If images are not displayed on a page, then the image path is incorrect. If a page has an image on it but the image does not display, then the image path is incorrect.

Images on PDF do not appear as they appear in the editor: If the images on your page do not appear as they do in the editor, then they are embedded and not linked.

Images are not displayed after they have been submitted: If an image is displayed but it does not appear after the form has been submitted, then the image path is incorrect.

PDF form creation services

If you are short on time and do not want to spend hours learning how to create a PDF form, you can use a service to create one for you. There are several services that you can use to create a PDF form quickly and easily. You simply need to decide on what type of form you want to create and provide the service with the necessary information, and the service will generate the form for you. You can select a service based on cost, reviews, and the types of forms offered.

Conclusion

Creating a PDF form is a great way to collect data for a variety of different situations. They are often preferred over other digital formats and paper-based formats because they are seen as being more reliable and secure. Additionally, they are designed in a way that ensures data is accurate and consistent.