You just received a PDF form — maybe a job application, a tax document, or a rental agreement — and you need to fill it out. But how? It depends on whether the form has fillable fields or is just a flat PDF. Here is how to handle both, on any device, for free.

Two Types of PDF Forms

• Interactive (fillable) forms — These have built-in text fields, checkboxes, and dropdowns. You can type directly into them.
• Non-interactive (flat) forms — These are basically scanned images or static PDFs with no fillable fields. You need to add text on top of the existing layout.

The good news: both types are fillable. The methods just differ slightly.

Filling Interactive PDF Forms

On Mac

1. Open the PDF in Preview
2. Click on any form field — text boxes, checkboxes, and radio buttons all work
3. Type your responses or click to select options
4. Press Tab to move between fields
5. Save when finished (Cmd + S)

On Windows

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (free)
2. Click on any form field and type
3. Use Tab to navigate between fields
4. Checkboxes and dropdowns work with a single click
5. Save via File > Save

Acrobat Reader handles interactive forms the best on Windows. If a form does not work in other readers, try Acrobat.

On iPhone

1. Open the PDF in Files app or Adobe Acrobat Reader
2. Tap on any fillable field
3. The keyboard appears — type your response
4. Tap through all fields
5. Save when done

On Android

1. Open the PDF in Google Drive or Adobe Acrobat Reader
2. Tap on fillable fields and type
3. Save the completed form

Filling Non-Interactive (Flat) PDF Forms

When the form has no fillable fields, you need to overlay text onto the PDF.

On Mac

1. Open the PDF in Preview
2. Click the Markup Toolbar button
3. Click the Text tool (T icon)
4. Drag the text box to where you need to type
5. Type your text and adjust size to match the form
6. Repeat for each field
7. Save the completed form

On Windows

1. Open the PDF in Microsoft Edge
2. Click Add text in the toolbar
3. Position the text box and type
4. Adjust font size to fit the form fields
5. Save the file

Alternatively, use Sejda PDF Editor or PDFescape online for more control over text placement.

Adding a Signature to PDF Forms

Most forms require a signature. Here is the fastest way:

• Mac: Preview > Markup > Sign button. Draw with trackpad or sign on paper and hold up to camera
• Windows: Adobe Reader > Fill and Sign tool > Sign. Draw or type your signature
• iPhone: Files app > Markup > + button > Signature. Sign with your finger
• Android: Adobe Reader > Fill and Sign > draw your signature

Tips for Filling Out PDF Forms

• Save a copy first — Always duplicate the blank form before filling it out so you have the original
• Use Tab to navigate — In interactive forms, Tab moves between fields in order
• Check required fields — Some forms highlight mandatory fields in red or with an asterisk
• Do not print and scan — Digital filling always looks better than a scanned handwritten form
• Flatten before sending — If you want to prevent edits, flatten the PDF after filling it out