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How to Fill and Sign PDF Forms in Adobe on Windows? (A Step-By-Step Guide)

March 15, 2024 253 views

Adobe was once the go-to for document handling, but is now facing some harsh criticism due to its high price tag and sluggish performance. Users encounter issues like slow scrolling, frequent crashes, and endless "Preparing document..." prompts, making editing nearly impossible. It's perplexing why such a basic task as viewing PDFs is so slow and cumbersome. For Windows, who simply want to get by the Adobe fill and sign for PC, we’ll guide you through it in this article.

How to Fill and Sign PDF Forms in Adobe on Windows

How to Make a Fillable PDF in Adobe for PC?

Creating fillable PDF forms is not possible with regular word processors. However, you can start by drafting the form in a word processor and then use Adobe Acrobat to convert it into a fillable PDF. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Begin by opening a standard PDF form in Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2: On the left-side panel containing Adobe's tools, select "Prepare a Form".

Adobe Acrobat Prepare a form tool

Step 3: Adobe provides options for scanning a document, starting from scratch, or converting the current PDF into a fillable one. Since our PDF is open, click on "Create Form".

Adobe Acrobat create a new form

Step 4: Once the form is created, all fillable fields will be highlighted, each with a custom field name.

Step 5: To modify field properties, double-click on the fillable fields to open the Text Field Properties window and make necessary changes.

Adobe Acrobat field properties

Step 6: Users can preview and test the form by clicking "Preview" or send a copy using the "Send" option at the bottom left of the interface.

Adobe Acrobat preview or send form

Creating a fillable form in Adobe Acrobat requires practice due to the various text field properties. It may pose a challenge for new users. Additionally, Adobe Acrobat comes with premium charges for accessing these services.

How to Fill and Sign PDF Forms in Adobe Acrobat for PC?

Filling and signing PDF forms on Adobe Acrobat may seem complicated initially, but it's actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. We'll guide you through the process on how to use Adobe fill and sign for PC and web interfaces to make it easy to understand and implement.

In Adobe Acrobat App:

Adobe Fill and Sign for Windows offers a user-friendly experience for filling out PDF forms. Follow the simple steps outlined below to become aware of this process:

Step 1: Open your PDF document in Adobe Reader, where you intend to fill and sign. If you don't have Adobe Reader installed, download it from the official website.

Step 2: Once your PDF document is open, locate the panel on the left listing features. Click on "Fill & Sign" to modify your PDF.

Adobe Fill & Sign feature

Step 3: If you haven't crafted your signature yet, click the "+" button on the left. This "+" option will be available under "Add signature", providing you with the means to create your personalized signature for the document.

Adobe create new signature

Step 4: Users have multiple options to create a new signature, such as using the keyboard, drawing, or adding an image. Click "Apply" to finalize your signature.

Adobe type, draw, or add an image as signature

Step 5: Click on the newly created signature and position it on your document using the mouse.

Adobe add signature to PDF

Step 6: Select the "A" icon in the hover menu to resize the signature. To remove the signature, click the "Bin" icon.

Adobe edit your signature on PDF

Step 7: Fill your document by accessing the hover menu beside the left panel and selecting the "A" icon within a square. This menu provides several options; choose "Type Text".

Adobe add text to PDF

Step 8: Position a text box and commence typing at the desired location to fill your PDF.

Adobe place textbox using mouse

While my experience with Adobe's app was satisfactory in terms of readability and merging tools, I encountered significant frustration during my recent usage. Despite investing considerable time troubleshooting why I couldn't input text into PDF fields, I ultimately faced another infuriating issue: the inability to copy and paste due to text being erroneously fused together. This persistent string of problems culminated in overwhelming dissatisfaction, compounded by the app's sluggish performance.

On Web:

Once you know how to add a signature to Adobe fill and sign for PC, the process on the web is equally simple. With a clear understanding of the icon placement, you're all set. Here are more detailed steps to guide you through the process:

Step 1: Launch your web browser and go to the official Adobe website to utilize their online PDF tools.

Step 2: If you're not already a registered Adobe user, sign up to gain access to their online PDF tools.

Step 3: Upon registration, you'll be directed to your Adobe homepage. Navigate to the menu bar, hover over the "E-Sign" category, and choose "Fill & Sign".

Adobe Fill & Sign online tool

Step 4: On the Fill & Sign tool page, upload your PDF by clicking "Select a file" or dragging and dropping your PDF.

Upload PDF to Adobe Fill & Sign online tool

Step 5: For users who are opting to fill the PDF form using Adobe Fill and Sign Online, select the "A" icon in the left hover menu and choose from various options.

Adobe Fill option

Step 6: To include text, click "Type Text" and position the text box anywhere in your document.

Add text Fill option in Adobe Fill & Sign tool

Step 7: To electronically sign, users can opt for the “E-Sign” feature in the menu bar or select the "Ink" icon from the hover menu to access e-signing tools.

Adobe Sign option

Step 8: When ready to sign your PDF, click "Add a signature". If you already have a signature, your cursor will automatically switch to it for placement in the PDF form.

Adobe add a signature option

Step 9: In case you haven't created a signature yet, a new pop-up will appear. Users can generate a new signature by typing, drawing, or uploading an image. Click "Save" to store the newly generated signature.

My recent experience with Adobe on the web showcased a user-friendly interface that offered a degree of customization, albeit limited. Although I primarily rely on minimal editing functions, the platform's ease of use initially outweighed any drawbacks. However, after approximately three weeks of smooth operation, I encountered a significant slowdown upon opening a PDF document. To my dismay, the previously banished and cumbersome Acrobat UI reemerged, prompting frustration and disappointment.

Best Free Alternatives to Adobe - WPS PDF Tools

WPS Office is known for its notorious office suite that has PDF functionality integrated with it for enhanced collaboration and sharing across all tools. With its array of features including an online PDF editor, converter, merge, form filler, and organizer, users can effortlessly edit pages, text, or layouts on PDF documents similar to Word, and all for free. This accessibility and versatility make it a preferred choice among users seeking efficiency and ease of use.

WPS PDF Tools

Meanwhile, Adobe's performance issues and burdensome license management processes present significant challenges for users. In light of these drawbacks, exploring WPS Office emerges as a compelling alternative worth considering.

WPS PDF is not like any other PDF tools, it has an exceptional user experience with its intuitive interface and comprehensive features. Working with it has been nothing short of phenomenal, streamlining tasks and enhancing productivity effortlessly. Overall, WPS PDF surpasses expectations, making it a top choice for seamless document management and editing.

I would recommend that everyone download it and give it a try. But, for Google Chrome users seeking to be able to get WPS PDF without the entire suite, the extension is easily accessible. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, WPS PDF offers a seamless document management experience that exceeds expectations. Users can not only view and annotate PDF files online but also quickly access functions for merging PDF files and converting formats.

WPS PDF Extension

How to Add Signatures in WPS PDF for PC?

If you want to add your signature on a document, you can use the Fill and Sign tool on WPS PDF office applications as well as through online PDF tools. Follow simple steps below to easily add your signature on a document using WPS PDF.

Steps to add signatures in WPS PDF:

You can use the Fill and Sign tool in the WPS Office application by following the steps below:

Step 1: Open your PDF with WPS Office application; in case WPS Office is not downloaded on your PC, go to WPS Office official website and download it for free.

Step 2: Click on the "Fill & Sign" tab in the Menu bar and navigate through the tools available in the ribbon.

WPS Office PDF Fill & Sign tab

Step 3: To add a comment or mark a checkbox, with tick or cross, in the document, simply click on the option in the tools ribbon.

Step 4: In order to add a signature, click on the "Add Signature" option.

Add a signature using WPS Office PDF application

Step 5: Once the "Add Signature" option is selected, users are prompted to create a new signature. Like Adobe, you can sign with your typed name, draw your signature, or upload an image of it.

WPS Office PDF create a new signature

Step 6: What sets WPS Office apart from other PDF applications is the option to change the font and font color of the signature. Make your signature, then click "OK".

WPS Office PDF change font of signature

Step 7: You can place the signature anywhere in the document. Users can drag the borders of the signature to resize.

WPS Office PDF place signature in PDF

WPS Office's tools and tools that Adobe offers are similar, except for the feature which allows you to change the font of your signature and hence personalizes it by improving whatever you may have created freehand, which is not always ideal. Given the number of online tools available, WPS is the only one that helps you add such detail to your digital signature.

How to add signatures online in WPS PDF Tools?

WPS Office offers an efficient and easy to use application, WPS PDF Tools, to users that need to sign, merge, convert or edit a PDF or fill it with text. You can access WPS PDF Tools directly using a browser where you can fill and sign a PDF using the following steps:

Step 1: In your browser, visit the WPS PDF Tools website.

Step 2: Choose "Signing PDF" from the list of tools with descriptions.

WPS PDF Tools

Step 3: Next, you can upload the PDF that requires a signature by using the "Select PDF File", or drag and drop your PDF file to upload.

Upload PDF on WPS PDF Signer tool

Step 4: Once the PDF opens in the WPS built-in signer, you can select the ‘New Signature’ option available at the top left to create your sign and add it to your PDF.

Add new signature in WPS PDF Signer tool

Step 5: When a new window pops up for creating a signature, you can draw, type, or upload an image of your desired signature.

Note: In WPS PDF tools, users have the unique feature to choose the font style and font color of their signature.

Step 6: Click on ‘Save’ to finish creating a new signature.

WPS PDF Signer create new signature

Step 7: The signature will automatically appear on the document. Click on the sign and drag it to the right position.

Step 8: To change the size of the signature, drag the border to resize it.

Note: WPS PDF online signer tool allows the user to create more than one signature for a single PDF file.

Step 9: Click on “Finish” so that the WPS PDF signer can finalize the changes made and process the PDF document.

Finish editing PDF on WPS PDF Signer tool

Step 10: After this process, you can download your PDF. Click "Download" to save the document to your computer.

Download signed PDF from WPS PDF tools

Upon opening a PDF using WPS, a single, focused feature greets you, eliminating the clutter of irrelevant tools found in many other PDF applications. Simple and efficient user interface along with increased security distinguish WPS PDF Tools apart from other applications.

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FAQS:

1. In what ways can PDF forms be classified?

PDF forms are broadly categorized into two main types:

  • Interactive Forms: These forms include fields that users can select for input.

  • Flat Forms: These documents lack interactive fields and may exist in a paper-based format or as PDFs not optimized for form filling. The Fill & Sign tool automatically detects form elements like text boxes, checkboxes, and radio buttons. Users also have the option to manually insert text or symbols anywhere on the form using the Fill & Sign tool.

2. How to Share Documents for E-Signatures in Adobe Acrobat?

To share documents for e-signatures using Adobe Acrobat, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the document you wish to share for an e-signature in Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2: On the left panel, select “Request E-signatures” from the list of Adobe tools.

Adobe Request E-Signature tool

Step 3: In the popup window, users need to specify the recipient's email, followed by a subject line and an email body.

Step 4: Click on the 'Specify where to sign' button to indicate the location in the PDF where the recipient should add the e-signature.

Adobe specify recipient where to sign in the PDF

Step 5: Subsequently, the PDF file will be uploaded to the cloud, which may take a few moments.

Step 6: Following the upload, users must specify the signature placement. Click on the document where the signatures are desired, and an orange text box will appear.

Note: The orange textbox is solely for highlighting and won't be visible in the printed or normal PDF view after adding the signature.

Step 7: For advanced setup, activate "Advanced Editing" features using the toggle in the left side panel.

Adobe advanced e-signature features

Step 8: Utilize advanced editing tools to add specific text boxes like Name and company fields. Drag and drop these fields into the PDF file for inclusion.

Step 9: After determining the position, click "Send" to dispatch an email to the recipient.

Adobe send document for signatures

Step 10: The document will then be prepared; you'll be notified on-screen, and an email notification from Adobe will be sent to the registered ID.

Note: The email ID used for notification will be the one associated with your Adobe account.

3. Are there different types of signatures I can use in Adobe on Windows?

Yes, in Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows, you have the choice to use typed, drawn, or uploaded signatures for customization.

4. Can I fill out PDF forms offline on Windows using Adobe?

Yes, Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows supports offline use, enabling you to fill out PDF forms without an internet connection. This feature ensures you can complete forms anytime, anywhere, without the need for constant online access.

A Free Alternative To Adobe

Adobe's subscription model has caused frustration for users. Adobe users have found themselves frustrated by the convoluted cancellation process and inadequate customer service.  Despite these challenges, there's a simpler solution for tasks in place of adobe fill and sign for pc: WPS PDF. With its intuitive interface, absence of ads, and free access, WPS PDF offers a seamless experience for users. Download WPS PDF today for a smoother document management experience.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.