How to Let Signers Enter Name and Date in Adobe Acrobat Forms
Question details
The user needs to configure a PDF coaching agreement so the recipient can fill in their name and date, rather than only being able to edit the signature field.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sending a coaching agreement to a client for electronic signature via email.
- Observed behavior
- The signer is only permitted to edit the signature field, while the client name and date form fields remain locked and uneditable.
Ensure you have the original, unflattened PDF agreement file and sufficient sender permissions within your Adobe Acrobat Sign workflow to edit field assignments.
Assign Form Fields to the Signer in Adobe Acrobat Sign
Configure field assignments directly in the Adobe Acrobat Sign sending workflow to ensure the recipient has permission to edit the name and date fields.
Relying solely on local Acrobat form-field settings is often insufficient when routing documents for e-signatures. To allow clients to type in specific form areas, those fields must be explicitly assigned to their specific role during the sending process.
Open Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the 'Tools' menu, select 'Request e-signatures', and upload your coaching agreement PDF.
Enter the client's email address as the recipient. Before hitting send, check the 'Preview & Add Signature Fields' checkbox at the bottom of the window, then click 'Next'.
In the authoring preview, double-click the existing client name and date fields to open their properties. Change the 'Assigned To' dropdown from 'Prefill' or 'Anyone' to the specific recipient (e.g., 'Signer 1').
Ensure the 'Read Only' checkbox in the field properties is unchecked. Once all fields are correctly assigned, click the 'Send' button to route the document.
Easily Create and Sign Fillable Forms with WPS PDF
If you want a straightforward way to build interactive agreements and manage electronic signatures without complex role assignments, WPS PDF offers an intuitive and powerful solution.
- 1. Open Your PDF Agreement: Launch WPS Office and open your coaching agreement in the built-in WPS PDF editor.
- 2. Insert Interactive Form Fields: Navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon and insert text fields for the client's name, date, and a signature field.
- 3. Share the Document for Signing: Save the configured PDF document and share it with your client, who can easily open, fill, and sign the form using any standard PDF viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can my client only click the signature field but nothing else?
This typically occurs because the other text fields (like Name and Date) were designated as 'Prefill' for the sender or marked as 'Read Only' in the form properties. They must be explicitly assigned to the signer's role in the e-signature workflow.
Does flattening a PDF lock the form fields for the signer?
Yes. If you flatten a PDF or use the 'Print to PDF' function before sending it, all fillable fields merge into the background text and become permanently uneditable. Always upload dynamic, interactive PDF forms when requesting signatures.
Can I test the Acrobat form fields before emailing the client?
Absolutely. You can add yourself as the initial recipient or use a secondary personal email address to test the signing workflow. This allows you to verify exactly which fields are editable from the signer's perspective.
