You inherit a form from a colleague. It's a PDF, but the fields are just lines on the page — there's no way to type in them. Your only option seems to be print, write, scan, return. Three hundred times if your team uses the form weekly.
Converting a static PDF into a fillable form is a one-time job that saves a recurring annoyance.
Start with a clean source
If the form was originally a Word document, that's your easiest path — re-export with form fields enabled. If it's a scan, run OCR first so the text is recognisable.
Deskew any crooked scans before adding fields. Form fields on slanted rows look amateur.
Add fields over the blanks
Open the file in Flint's editor. For every blank line, drag a text field onto it. For every "yes/no" box, add a checkbox. For multi-choice questions, use radio buttons.
Name each field clearly — "first_name", "date_of_birth". Field names matter when you later export the data.
Add validation and tab order
Mark required fields so users can't skip them. Set the tab order to follow how a person reads the page (top to bottom, left to right). Wrong tab order is the most common form bug.
For signature fields, place them at the bottom. Pair with a printed name and date field.
Test like a user
Fill out the form yourself before publishing. Tab through every field. Try invalid input. Save the file and open in a different reader — fields should work in any modern PDF reader.
For sign-and-return workflows specifically, consider Flint's signing tool instead of building a form from scratch.
FAQ
Will recipients need special software?
No. Any modern PDF reader (Adobe, Preview, Chrome's viewer, mobile readers) handles form fields.
How do I get the filled forms back?
Recipients save and email back, or you collect data via form data export into a spreadsheet.
Can I pre-fill some fields?
Yes — set default values for any field. Useful for branded templates with the company name pre-filled.
Do form fields work on mobile?
Yes, in iOS Files, Android PDF readers, and mobile Chrome/Edge. Test on the platforms your audience uses.
Can the form be signed digitally?
Yes. Add a signature field, or use Flint's signing tool for full signing workflows with audit trails.
Making a form fillable once saves everyone time forever after. Build yours in Flint's editor and ship the digital version.