How to Create Digitally Signable PDF Forms in Acrobat Pro 2017
Question details
The user wants to know if and how they can create a PDF form that allows users to apply a certificate-based digital signature using Acrobat Pro 2017.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a secure, fillable PDF document that requires authenticated digital signatures from recipients.
- Observed behavior
- Standard Acrobat PDF forms need to be configured to accept certificate-based digital signatures without relying on separate software like LiveCycle Designer.
Ensure you have Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 installed and have the document you wish to convert into a form ready. If you plan to test the signature field yourself, you will also need a valid digital ID or certificate.
Add a Digital Signature Field using the Prepare Form Tool
Use the built-in Prepare Form tool in Acrobat Pro 2017 to add and configure a digital signature field for your recipients.
Acrobat Pro 2017 natively supports the creation of standard PDF forms with certificate-based signature capabilities. You do not need to use LiveCycle Designer for this process.
Once you set up the signature field, any recipient using the free Acrobat Reader can seamlessly apply their digital signature.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 and open the PDF document you want to convert into a fillable form.
Click on the 'Tools' tab at the top of the application, then locate and select the 'Prepare Form' tool. Acrobat will scan the document and automatically identify potential form fields.
On the Prepare Form toolbar, click the 'Digital Signature' icon (which usually looks like a small fountain pen or a signed document). Drag your cursor on the document to draw the signature box.
Double-click the newly created signature field to open its Properties dialog. Here you can assign a name to the field, mark it as required, and configure specific certificate seed values if you need to restrict the type of signatures accepted.
Click 'Save' to finalize your document. You can now send the PDF to your recipients, who can fill it out and sign it securely using their own digital certificates.
Create, Edit, and Sign PDFs Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight PDF editor that allows you to easily view, edit, fill out forms, and add secure digital signatures to your PDF documents without the need for heavy, expensive software.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office, then launch the WPS PDF tool and open your target document.
- 2. Navigate to the Protect tab: On the top ribbon menu, click on the 'Protect' or 'Fill & Sign' tab to access the security and form tools.
- 3. Apply a Digital Signature: Click on 'Digital Signature' to draw a signature field or apply your own certificate-based digital ID directly to the document.
- 4. Save your secure document: Save the signed or form-ready PDF to share securely with your colleagues or clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need LiveCycle Designer to create signable PDF forms?
No, standard Acrobat Pro 2017 includes all the necessary built-in tools to create PDF forms with digital signature fields. LiveCycle Designer is not required for standard forms.
Can recipients sign the form if they only have the free Adobe Reader?
Yes, once the digital signature field is added and the form is saved, recipients can use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete the form and apply their certificate-based digital signatures.
What is a certificate-based digital signature?
A certificate-based signature uses a digital ID from a trusted certification authority to authenticate the signer's identity and encrypt the document, ensuring it has not been altered after signing.
