Portable Document Format (PDF) files are regularly used as a conversion format of a source document, which are viewable by anyone with a PDF reading program; thus, readers do not need the software with which the original document was created. Because of their small file size, they are used widely on websites and for email attachments. A writable PDF can be used to create forms or gather comments. (Most IRS tax forms are available as writable PDFs.) With the appropriate software, you can create a writable PDF file.
Instructions
1. If you do not have a PDF-writing program use the link in the Resources section for a free trial of Adobe Acrobat Pro, which has a tool to create a writable PDF. There is also a link to a listing of various PDF shareware, although some versions may not provide the necessary functionality to create a writable PDF.
2. Open the document from which you want to create a writable PDF file. Click once on the File drop down menu and once on the Print option. Select the PDF-writing program from the list of available printing sources and click once on the Print button. Use the Save in drop down menu to select a folder in which to save the PDF version of the source document, and click once on the Save button.
3. Open the PDF file for which you want to create a writable version.
4. Click once on the Tools drop down menu and select the Forms option. This will launch an extension menu that lists a variety of Form Tools for you to use within the PDF. Click once on the Form Tool that you want to use. The Text Field Tool is most appropriate for a writable PDF, as it will create a text box in which users can type information. Please note that you can use more than one form tool within the PDF.
5. Select an area of the PDF in which to place the Form Tool. Click once and drag to the necessary size while holding down the mouse button. Regardless of the Form Tool you choose, the placement process works the same. Click on one of the squares surrounding the Form Tool and drag while holding the mouse button to change its size.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for each writable section you need to create within the PDF. Remember to save the writable version of the PDF in order to distinguish it from the regular version.
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