How to Create a Fillable PDF Form for Finger Signatures in Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to distribute a fillable acknowledgment form so recipients can fill it out, sign it physically with a finger on a tablet, and save it as a separate file to preserve the blank original.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Distributing a reusable fillable PDF form to users who need to complete it and apply a hand-drawn signature on mobile or tablet devices.
- Observed behavior
- Recipients need a straightforward way to add a finger signature and save the filled copy without overwriting the master template or requiring complex digital signature workflows.
Ensure your master PDF form is fully created with the necessary fillable text fields, and that you have saved a backup copy of the blank template before distributing it.
Distribute a Reader-Enabled PDF for Acrobat Reader
Enable extended tools in Acrobat so recipients can use the free Acrobat Reader or mobile Fill & Sign app to sign with their fingers and save the document.
To ensure users can save their filled data and signatures using the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, the document must be saved with extended rights.
Recipients can then open the document on a tablet and utilize the built-in signature tools to draw their signature with a finger or stylus.
Open your original PDF form in Adobe Acrobat. Go to 'File' > 'Save As Other' > 'Reader Extended PDF' > 'Enable More Tools'.
Send the newly saved Reader-enabled PDF to your recipients via email as an attachment.
Instruct recipients to open the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or the free Adobe Fill & Sign app on their iOS or Android tablet.
The user can tap the 'Sign' icon, draw their signature using their finger on the tablet screen, and place it in the appropriate field.
To preserve the blank original, the recipient should select 'File' > 'Save As' (or the equivalent save option on mobile) and rename the document before sending it back.
Use Adobe Acrobat Sign for Managed Workflows
If you need automated tracking, legal authentication, or a managed e-signature workflow, use Adobe Acrobat Sign instead of manual file distribution.
Easily Fill and Sign PDF Forms with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly intuitive and free PDF solution that allows users to quickly fill out interactive forms and add hand-drawn finger signatures on tablets, smartphones, and PCs.
- 1. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office on your PC, tablet, or mobile device and open the blank fillable PDF form.
- 2. Fill the form: Tap on the text fields to input the necessary information using your keyboard or touch screen.
- 3. Add a signature: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Fill & Sign' tab, then select 'Signature' to create a new signature.
- 4. Draw with your finger: Use your finger or a stylus to draw your signature directly on the tablet screen, then tap 'Done' to place it on the form.
- 5. Save as a new copy: Tap 'Menu' or 'File', choose 'Save As', and assign a new filename to keep the original template empty for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent recipients from overwriting my original blank form?
Always instruct recipients to use the 'Save As' function to save their completed and signed form under a new filename. You can also distribute the form as a read-only template file if your network or document management system supports it.
Do recipients need to pay for an app to sign the PDF with their fingers?
No, recipients can use free applications such as Adobe Acrobat Reader DC on a desktop with a touch screen, the Adobe Fill & Sign app on mobile devices, or free alternatives like WPS Office to draw their signature.
Why can't recipients save the filled data in their PDF reader?
In some older versions of Adobe Acrobat, the sender must save the file as a 'Reader Extended PDF' to grant users of the free Acrobat Reader the permissions required to save filled form data and signatures locally.
