How to Add Type, Draw, or Image Signatures in Acrobat PDF Form Fields
Question details
A PDF form creator wants to display options for users to type, draw, or upload an image when they click on a signature field in an Adobe Acrobat fillable form.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a fillable PDF form and configuring signature fields so recipients can easily apply an electronic signature.
- Observed behavior
- Standard signature fields in Adobe Acrobat prompt for a certificate-based digital ID instead of automatically providing type, draw, or image electronic signature options.
Before modifying your form, determine whether your document requires a legally binding, certificate-based digital signature or a simple electronic signature (like a typed name or drawn image).
Use the Acrobat Fill & Sign Workflow Instead of Standard Fields
Since standard signature fields strictly prompt for digital IDs, bypassing them in favor of the Fill & Sign tool allows users to type, draw, or upload signature images.
Adobe Acrobat distinguishes between traditional Digital Signatures (which require a certificate) and Electronic Signatures. If you insert a standard 'Signature Field' into your form, Acrobat will automatically ask the user for a Digital ID.
To allow users to type, draw, or insert an image, advise them to use the built-in Fill & Sign tools rather than relying on a pre-formatted digital signature block.
Open your PDF in Acrobat's 'Prepare Form' mode and delete any traditional digital signature fields you previously added.
Insert a regular text field where the signature should go, and label it clearly so the user knows where to sign using their own tools.
Advise your recipients to open the PDF, navigate to 'Tools', and select 'Fill & Sign'. From there, they can click 'Sign yourself' to type, draw, or upload an image of their signature.
Send the Document for Electronic Signature (Acrobat Sign)
If you need a streamlined process that forces the type/draw/image prompt without the user needing to find the Fill & Sign tool manually, use the 'Request Signatures' feature.
Easily Add Type, Draw, or Image Signatures with WPS Office
If your recipients struggle with complex digital ID prompts in standard PDF forms, WPS Office provides an incredibly intuitive PDF signature tool. Users can instantly choose to type, draw, or upload an image as their signature without dealing with confusing form field restrictions.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the fillable PDF form that requires a signature.
- 2. Navigate to the PDF Signature Tool: Click on the 'Insert' or 'Protect' tab in the top ribbon, then select the 'Sign' or 'PDF Signature' option.
- 3. Create your signature: Click 'Create Signature'. A window will appear allowing you to type your name, draw a signature with your mouse/touchpad, or upload a scanned image.
- 4. Place the signature: Click 'OK' and simply click anywhere on the form's signature line to drop your new electronic signature into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat ask for a Digital ID instead of letting me draw my signature?
When a PDF creator uses the 'Digital Signature' field tool in Acrobat's Prepare Form mode, it strictly requires a certificate-based Digital ID for security and non-repudiation. It does not automatically default to simpler electronic signature methods like drawing or typing.
Can I force a standard PDF signature field to only accept drawn signatures?
No, standard interactive digital signature fields in Acrobat are tied to digital certificates. To enforce or encourage drawn signatures, you must either use an enterprise electronic signature service (like Acrobat Sign) or ask users to bypass the field using the Fill & Sign tool.
How do users upload an image as a signature in Fill & Sign?
Users can open the PDF, click on 'Tools' > 'Fill & Sign', click the 'Sign yourself' icon, and choose 'Add Signature'. In the pop-up window, they can select the 'Image' icon at the top right to browse their computer for a scanned signature image (.png, .jpg) to upload.
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is broadly defined as any electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to a document (like a typed name or drawn image). A digital signature is a specific, highly secure type of electronic signature that uses a cryptographic digital certificate to verify the signer's identity and ensure the document hasn't been altered.
