How to Fill In a PDF Form Without Printing It

To fill in a PDF form without printing it, open it in Edit PDF and place text boxes over the lines and spaces, then add a tick, the date and your signature. It works on scanned forms too.

Many forms still arrive as a PDF with the instruction "print, complete by hand and scan". It wastes paper and time, and handwriting is not always easy to read. You can fill in nearly any PDF form on your screen instead, and send it back a minute later.

How do I fill in a PDF form on screen?

1. Open Edit PDF.
2. Choose your form, or drop it onto the page.
3. Pick the Text tool.
4. Click on the page where an answer should go and type it. Repeat for each line.
5. Use the controls to set the text size, so it fits the space.
6. Click Download to save the completed form.

Because the text is placed on top of the page, this works on forms that have no clickable fields as well, such as scans and old documents.

How do I tick a box?

Click on the box with the Text tool and type an X. Make the size small enough to sit neatly inside the square. If the box is a circle for a yes or no answer, a small X or the letter "O" works equally well.

Zoom in before you move on, to check the mark is centred and does not cover the printed outline.

How do I add the date?

Click in the date space and type it in the style the form asks for. Many forms want day, month, year in a certain order, so read the instructions before you type. If the form has several date boxes, fill each one in the same way.

How do I sign the form?

Signing is usually the last step. Use Sign PDF to create a signature by drawing it, typing your name in a handwriting style or uploading an image, and place it on the signature line. You can add your initials and the date too. Our guide How to sign a PDF online walks through this.

Tips for a neat result

• Zoom in to place text exactly on the line, not above or below it.
• Match the size to the form. About 10 to 12 points is usually right, but small boxes need smaller text.
• Use capital letters only if the form asks for them.
• Read it through once the form is done. Check names, numbers and dates.
• Save a copy of the blank form, so you can start again if you need to.

What if the form has clickable fields?

Some PDFs are real fillable forms. Those have fields you can click and type into in a PDF viewer. If yours is one of them, you can use it directly. If you would like to create such a form yourself, read How to make a fillable PDF form. For forms that are only flat pages, or for corrections, placing text on top, as above, is the reliable method.

What if I make a mistake?

Select the text box you placed and change or delete it. If you filled in something wrongly on a form you have already saved, you can start again from the blank copy. White-out hides content but may not remove it underneath, so never rely on it for private information. Can you edit a PDF for free? explains what the tool can and cannot do.

Is it private?

Yes. Your form is filled in your browser, and it is not uploaded to our servers. This is helpful when a form asks for your address, ID number or bank details. Even so, only send the finished form to the organisation that asked for it, using a safe route, and delete copies you no longer need.

Will the form be accepted?

Most offices accept a completed PDF. Some want a particular kind of signature, a stamp or a witness, and a few insist on their own online portal. Check the instructions on the form, or ask the organisation, before you send.

When do I need a professional?

If the form is long, has complicated tables or must be filled in across many copies, an expert can save you hours. We can also turn your own paper form into a tidy PDF form that people can fill in on screen. Ask for a quote and we will tell you the price before any work starts.