Fillable forms

Fillable forms are systematically set-up documents that give an option to the form user to fill in the appropriate data in each available box. Post submission of data in the box, the form user can easily move to the next field by hitting tab or clicking the cursor right over the field thereby also ensuring no accidental skip of any box.

Companies serve form users with options to fill paper fillable forms as well as electronic fillable forms, depending upon his choice of mode with respect to his comfort ability as both the forms serve with same fillable options to fill in the data. The only difference between them is that the former form at some point is bound to be transferred to an electronic form.

Fillable forms are also useful to perform calculations, which are based upon the entered amount by the form user. For example, the form can add the amount of two fields together thereby showing the calculation in the next appropriate field.

OCR systems are really famous to do efficient check of the electronic fillable forms but the only limitation of this procedural check is that it cannot check the manual or handwritten text. But the problem has been solved thereby easing the situation with the help of electronic forms as these forms completely skip the paper stage because the user finds a direct option on his screen to fill in the form with appropriate details, which are then finally analyzed by application processors and all the information is saved in computer database.

HTML language forms the base of the electronic forms. The check boxes or the text fields, which are commonly found in the electronic fillable PDF forms, are created with the help of codes that are developed by the HTML language. The data provided in these electronic forms is typically verified with the help of a CGI program.

Fillable forms are also produced with the help of PDF (portable document format). With the help of this formatting type, it has become easier to create some portable as well as attractive fillable forms along with numerous formatting options, which help in submitting the data very quickly and efficiently. The PDF fillable forms also serve with some more benefits like it helps in providing with accurate data thereby lowering the chance of any rework, it does not require creation of any extra or additional software because it uses Acrobat reader to serve the purpose.

Due to PDF formatting the data submitted in the forms can be easily printed, the existing data can also be modified thereby opening the submitted form, data can be easily imported or exported to XML format form/to the database etc.

How to create electronically fillable PDF forms?

Business form is vital for any organization. Generally, a fillable form has to be printed and filled manually by the customer/client and then sent via mail or fax. Most of the forms appear in PDF format with boxes and dashes, where the required information has to be filled in after printing the form. Though many business organizations use this type of PDF forms, they do have certain disadvantages. For visually impaired people or those with physical disabilities, it is not feasible to fill in the form and mail it across all on their own. They should seek some assistance, hence privacy is affected here. Other drawbacks of print forms are higher processing time and increased possibilities of errors. If it is an electronically fillable PDF form, then all the mentioned challenges can be eliminated. In addition, a notification of receipt can also be sent to the sender on receiving the form.

Now, you might be puzzled on how to create an electronically fillable PDF form. With the Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended installed in your system, converting a traditional print from, be it a Word, Excel, or PDF form, into an electronically fillable is no more an intimidating task. If you have a PDF form, open it with Acrobat Professional. Or, if you have to create a new form, open a Word document, enter all the fields, and save the file in PDF format. Now, launch Acrobat Professional and open the print form that needs to be converted into electronically fillable form. In the toolbar, select Forms->Add/Edit Fields, following which Acrobat automatically detects the fields in the form. You can even create a non-existing form using the Adobe LiveCycle Designer (ALD), which comes built-in with the Adobe Acrobat Pro.

There are various tools integrated into the Forms toolbar, which are discussed below:

Text Field: It is the commonly used tool and ideal to enter name, address, and such details of the user.

Check Box: If you want the user to select more than one option from the given list, then the check box tool is ideal.

Radio Button: It is used when only one option has to be checked by the user. Once a box is selected, this tool won't allow checking back.

List Box: When the user have to be provided with a list of option to choose from, then this tool is ideal. One disadvantage of this box is user cannot view all the listed options at a time.

Combo Box: It works similar to the list box, the major difference being this tool enables the users to view all the listed option in a drop down box.

The Button Tool: Buttons are created in forms to perform certain actions, say on clicking a button the user will land up in a page, hide/show a field, or form gets submitted.

The Digital Signature Field Tool: Adding this tool to the form allows user to add their digital signature, if any, or images instead.

The benefits of the fillable PDF forms created using Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended do not end here. You can even add images in the intended place, like you do in the Word document. Watermarking is also possible with these forms.