How to Add and Tag Multiple Signature Fields in an Accessible PDF
Question details
The user needs to insert multiple signature fields into a PDF document and properly tag them so that screen reading software can recognize and interact with them.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a fully accessible PDF form that requires multiple users to sign in varying document locations.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to ensure the newly added signature fields are structurally tagged as form elements and placed correctly in the document's reading order for assistive technologies.
Ensure your document's text and layout are finalized before adding and tagging form fields, as significant structural changes later can disrupt the reading order for screen readers.
Add Signature Fields and Tag Them Manually
Use the Prepare Form tool to insert the signature fields, then manually assign tags to unmarked annotations to meet accessibility standards.
To make a PDF fully accessible to users relying on assistive technology like JAWS or NVDA, interactive elements such as signature fields must be correctly tagged as <Form> elements.
Open your PDF document in your advanced PDF editor (like Adobe Acrobat). Navigate to the 'Tools' menu and select 'Prepare Form'.
Select the digital signature icon from the form toolbar. Click and drag on the document to place the first signature field. Repeat this step to add the second signature field in the required location.
Open the 'Order' pane on the left-hand navigation panel. Locate the newly added signature fields in the list and drag them to the correct logical sequence in the reading order.
Open the 'Tags' pane. Click the 'Tag Options' icon, select 'Find', and choose 'Find Unmarked Annotations' from the dropdown menu. Once located, explicitly tag these fields as '<Form>' elements to ensure screen readers recognize them.
Easily Add Signatures and Edit Forms with WPS PDF
WPS PDF provides a seamless, user-friendly interface for creating, managing, and filling PDF forms. Whether you need to insert digital signatures or edit document text, WPS Office helps you get the job done efficiently.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office, go to the 'PDF' section, and open your target document.
- 2. Access the Form Menu: Navigate to the 'Form' tab located on the top ribbon to reveal the form creation and editing tools.
- 3. Insert Signature Fields: Click on 'Sign Field' and draw the field directly onto your document where a signature is required.
- 4. Save the Document: Adjust the properties of the signature field if needed, then click 'Save' to apply the changes to your PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDF signature fields need to be tagged?
Tagging PDF form fields provides essential metadata. It ensures that assistive technologies, such as screen readers, can identify the field type, its purpose, and its location in the logical reading order, making the document accessible to visually impaired users.
Can I add more than two signature fields in a single PDF?
Yes, you can add as many signature fields as needed. Simply repeat the process of inserting a signature field from the form tools and ensure each new field is individually tagged and correctly placed in the document's reading order.
What happens if I forget to tag a form field?
If a form field is left as an 'unmarked annotation', screen readers will likely skip over it. Users relying on assistive technology will not know the signature field exists or where to sign, causing the document to fail accessibility compliance tests.
