How to create a fillable PDF form for free?

Creating a fillable PDF form for free can be done using a variety of tools, both online and offline. Here are 3 ways with a step-by-step guide on how to create a fillable PDF form for free:

Online Method (Using Google Forms and PDF Conversion):

1. Create a Google Form:
   • Go to Google Forms (//forms.google.com).
   • Click on the “+” button to create a new form.
   • Add questions and form fields as needed.
2. Design Your Form:
   • Customize the free form by adding text, images, and formatting.
   • Use different question types like multiple-choice, short answer, and paragraph text.
3. Collect Responses:
   • Share your Google Form with respondents and collect responses.
4. Export Responses to Google Sheets:
   • Once you’ve collected responses, go to the “Responses” tab and click the Sheets icon to export responses to Google Sheets.
5. Convert Google Sheets to PDF:
   • Open the Google Sheets document containing the responses.
   • Go to “File” > “Download” > “PDF Document.”
6. Your Fillable PDF:
   • The downloaded PDF will be a fillable form with the responses you’ve collected.

Offline Method (Using LibreOffice):

1. Download and Install LibreOffice:
   • Download and install LibreOffice (a free, open-source office suite) if you don’t already have it.
2. Create a Form:
   • Open LibreOffice Writer.
   • Create a document with the form fields you want (text boxes, checkboxes, etc.).
3. Design Your Form:
   • Customize the form with text, images, and formatting.
4. Add Form Fields:
   • Click on “View” > “Toolbars” > “Form Controls.”
   • Use the form controls to add fields such as text boxes and checkboxes to your document.
5. Set Form Properties:
   • Right-click on each form field and choose “Control” to set properties like field names, default values, and more.
6. Export as PDF:
   • Go to “File” > “Export as PDF.”
   • In the PDF Options dialog, ensure that “Create PDF Form” is checked.
   • Click “Export” to save your fillable PDF form.

Using Online PDF Editors (Using Smallpdf)

1. Visit the Smallpdf Website: Go to the Smallpdf website (//www.smallpdf.com/).
2. Access the PDF Form Editor: Look for the “All Tools” section or search for “PDF Form Editor” on the Smallpdf website. Click on it to access the tool.
3. Upload Your PDF: Upload the PDF document that you want to turn into a fillable form. You can either drag and drop the file into the specified area or click the “Choose file” button to select your PDF.
4. Create Form Fields: Smallpdf will provide options to add form fields to your PDF. You can typically add fields such as text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and more. Use the provided tools to create and place these form fields on your document.
5. Edit Form Fields: Customize the form fields by double-clicking on them. You can set field labels, default values, and other properties depending on the type of form field.
6. Save Your Fillable PDF: Once you’ve added and customized the form fields, save your document. Smallpdf usually allows you to save it directly to your computer or to various cloud storage options.
7. Test the Fillable Form: Before sharing the form with others, it’s a good practice to test it to ensure that all the form fields work as intended. Fill in the form fields and check that data can be entered, saved, and submitted correctly.
8. Share or Download: After testing and making any necessary adjustments, you can share the fillable form with others or download it to your device.

Note: When creating a fillable PDF form, make sure to consider the privacy and security of the data collected and shared. Also, be aware that online services may have limitations or watermarks on free accounts. If you need advanced features or plan to create multiple forms, you might consider paid software like Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Always double-check the terms of use and privacy policies of the services or software you use to ensure they meet your needs and compliance requirements.