How to Create and Fill PDF Forms with PDNob - User Guide
Streamline your workflow with PDNob PDF Editor's comprehensive form management tools. This guide walks you through the entire process—from building a new form and filling it out to extracting submitted data—making professional form creation and handling straightforward for any user.
1. Building a PDF Form
This section outlines the steps for designing a fillable PDF form from the ground up.
Step 1: Launch PDNob and navigate to "Create PDF". Choose the "Blank PDF" option to initiate a new document.
Step 2: Select the "Edit" tab to insert static elements. Use features like "Add Text", "Add Image", and "Link" to add and tailor headings, instructions, or graphics for your form layout.
Step 3: Navigate to the "Form" tab to incorporate interactive components. Here, you can add text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, and more, configuring each to match your form's requirements.
2. Completing a PDF Form
Two primary form types exist: interactive PDFs, which contain fields for direct digital input, and static, non-interactive PDFs that cannot be edited without additional tools.
Filling Interactive PDF Forms:
Upon opening an interactive form, a blue notification banner will appear, indicating editable areas.
- Select any field and type in the necessary details.
- To preserve your entries, use File > Save or press Command + S (Mac).
For non-interactive PDFs, the "Form" tab's tools can be utilized to add and complete fields directly onto the document.
The following sections detail each form tool, enabling you to handle any PDF form with ease.
2.1 Adding a Text Field
The Text Field tool generates interactive areas for typed responses, with full control over their dimensions, placement, and attributes.
To insert a fillable text field:
- Locate and click the "Text Field" icon on the main toolbar.
- Move the cursor to the intended location on the form.
- Hold, drag, and release the mouse button to draw the field to the desired size.
Adjusting the Field:
- Resize: Use the blue handles surrounding the field boundary to adjust dimensions.
- Reposition: Click within the field and drag it to a new spot.
- Modify Properties: Double-click the field to launch the "Properties" dialog for advanced settings like naming, appearance, and actions.
Tooltip: A brief text hint that appears when the user hovers over the field, guiding them on what to enter.
Field Configuration Options:
- Read Only: Users can view but not modify the field's content.
- Required: The field must be filled out before the form can be submitted.
- Visible: The field is displayed and can be filled.
- Hidden: The field is concealed from users.
- Visible but does not print: Appears on-screen but is omitted from printed copies.
- Hidden but printable: Not shown on screen but will appear in printed output.
Appearance: Font type, size, color, border style, and fill color can all be tailored to align with your form's design.
2.2 Making a Check Box Field
Checkbox fields are used in forms to permit the selection of multiple options from a list.
Step 1: Click the "Create a check box field" icon on the toolbar and draw the field onto the page. Access its settings by double-clicking, where you can define the Name, Tooltip, and other form field parameters.
Step 2: Under the Options tab, you can change the checkbox's style, assign an export value, and enable "Checkbox is selected by default" for a pre-checked state.
2.3 Creating a Radio Button Field
Use radio button fields to present mutually exclusive choices, allowing only one selection per group, perfect for questions like "Choose your preferred contact method."
Step 1: Choose the Radio Button tool and draw the required number of buttons. Assign an identical name to all buttons in the same group but give each a distinct export value.
Step 2: Further customization is available in the "Options" tab, where you can modify the button's style and behavior.
- RadioButton Style: Determines the visual design of the selection indicator.
- Export Value: The data value associated with the button when it is chosen.
- Button is checked by default: Automatically selects this option when the form opens.
- Select the button with the same name and option: This setting maintains the single-selection logic within the group.
2.4 Building a Combo Box Field
A combo box provides a dropdown list of choices, saving space while offering multiple options.
Step 1: Click “Create a combo box field”, draw the field, then double-click it. In the Options tab, you can add, edit, delete, or rearrange the list items.
Step 2: Return to the standard view mode. Clicking the dropdown arrow will now reveal the list for selection.
2.5 Making a List Box Field
A list box displays all available choices at once within a scrollable area, supporting both single and multiple item selection.
Enter the items by providing both the displayed text and its corresponding export value, then click "Add" to insert them into the list.
Available Operations:
- Sort Items: Arrange list entries alphabetically by the first character.
- Multiple Selections: Configure the box to allow the user to pick one or several items.
- Enter the selected value immediately: The chosen value is applied as soon as a selection is made.
2.6 Adding a Push Button Field
Push buttons can be configured to perform specific actions, adding interactivity to your form.
Step 1: Select "Create a Push Button Field", draw the button, and double-click it. Navigate to the “Actions” tab to assign a desired function.
- Open a web link: Directs the user to a specified webpage.
- Open a file: Launches a file from the user's local device.
- Go to page view: Jumps to a specific page within the current PDF.
- Show/hide fields: Controls the visibility of other form fields based on interaction.
- Reset a form: Clears all entered data, returning the form to its original state.
Step 2: Click "Select Trigger" to choose the user event that initiates the action.
Trigger Events:
Mouse Up: Action occurs when the mouse button is released over the field.
Mouse Down: Action occurs when the mouse button is pressed down on the field.
Mouse Enter: Action is triggered when the cursor moves over the field.
Mouse Exit: Action is triggered when the cursor moves away from the field.
On Focus: Action occurs when the field gains focus (e.g., by tabbing into it).
On Blur: Action occurs when the field loses focus.
Step 3: Exit the Form editing mode. The button will now perform its assigned action when clicked.
2.7 Setting Up a Digital Signature Field
Digital signatures verify the authenticity and integrity of a document, providing a secure way to sign.
Step 1: Click the Digital Signature icon, draw a rectangle for the signature, and double-click it to open the properties window for customizing its look and linking actions.
Step 2: Return to the standard view, click the signature field, select ‘New ID’ to generate a signing certificate, and then input or draw your signature.
3. Form Data Extraction
To gather all entered data, simply click the “Extract Data” button. Save the resulting file and open it in Excel to review the collected information.
