How to Fill Out a PDF Form Received by Email
Question details
The user needs a reliable way to complete a PDF form received via email, as attempting to convert the document to Microsoft Word does not preserve form fields properly.
- Product
- PDF Editing Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Filling out and returning a PDF form that was received as an email attachment.
- Observed behavior
- Converting the PDF to Microsoft Word disrupts the layout and removes interactive form fields, preventing the user from easily filling out the required information.
Make sure to download the PDF attachment from your email client and save it to your local hard drive before attempting to fill it out.
Fill Out Interactive Forms Directly in a PDF Reader
Use this method if the sender created the PDF as an interactive fillable form.
Interactive PDFs contain built-in, clickable text fields, checkboxes, and drop-down menus. These can be filled out directly without needing any advanced editing tools or file conversion.
Right-click the downloaded PDF file and select 'Open with', then choose a dedicated PDF reader such as WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Click directly into the highlighted text fields or boxes and type in your information.
Go to 'File' > 'Save As' to save a new copy of the completed form. You can then attach this new file to your email reply.
Use Fill & Sign Tools for Non-Interactive PDFs
Use this method if the PDF is 'flat' and does not highlight any clickable fields when opened.
Fill Out PDF Forms Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a comprehensive PDF editor that allows you to easily fill out both interactive forms and flat PDF documents. It provides dedicated tools to add text, checkmarks, and electronic signatures without risking layout distortion through Word conversion.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office on your computer and open the downloaded PDF form.
- 2. Fill in the details: If the form is interactive, simply click the fields and type. If it is flat, navigate to the 'Edit' tab and click 'Insert Text' to add your information.
- 3. Sign the document: Go to the 'Insert' tab, click on 'Sign', and create or insert your digital signature onto the document.
- 4. Save and attach: Click 'Save' in the upper-left corner, then attach the finalized PDF to your email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I edit or type into the PDF form I received in my email?
If you open the PDF directly within your web browser or email client, it usually opens in a read-only preview mode. To type into it, you must download the file to your computer and open it using a dedicated PDF application that supports form filling.
What happens if I try converting a PDF form to Word to fill it out?
Converting a PDF form to Microsoft Word often breaks the document's layout. Interactive form fields, checkboxes, and alignment can get distorted, making the form difficult to fill out cleanly. It is highly recommended to fill out the form in its native PDF format.
How do I sign the PDF form after filling it out?
Most modern PDF editors, including WPS Office, feature a dedicated Signature tool. You can draw your signature with your mouse, upload an image of your physical signature, or type your name using a cursive font, and then place it directly on the signature line.
