Tips for Viewing and Using Fillable PDF Forms

What is PDF? The Portable Document Format (PDF) is a versatile file format that preserves the fonts, images, and layout of the original document, regardless of which of the many applications the document was created on. The PDF format is considered the worldwide standard for the reproduction and exchange of secure electronic documents and forms. PDF files are small and self-contained; they can be collaborated, viewed, and printed using the free Lumin PDF software.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

The use of the PDF format in publishing and printing has proven itself. Thanks to the ability of Lumin PDF to save the composite layout, you can create compact and reliable files that the printer can view, edit, sort, and receive proof of delivery. Also, at the moment provided for by the technical process, the printing house can either directly send the file to the phototypesetter or continue its final processing: carry out preflight checks, carry out trapping, run stripes or perform the color separation.

By saving a document in PDF format, you can create a file that conforms to the PDF/X standard. The PDF/X is a Portable Document Interchange format. It is a form of PDF that prevents many variations and combinations of color, font, and trapping data that can cause printing complications. A PDF / X document should be created when PDF files are used as digital originals in prepress of publications – both at the stage of creating a layout and for photo output (if the software and output devices are capable of working with the PDF / X format).

PDF / X standards are approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). They apply to the exchange of graphic data. When converted, the PDF file is checked against a specified standard. If the PDF document does not comply with the selected ISO standard, a message is displayed. It allows you to choose between canceling the conversion or continuing with the conversion, which creates a non-compliant file. Several varieties of PDF / X are widely used in publishing and printing: PDF / X-1a, PDF / X-3, and PDF / X-4.

Why choose PDF?

Another possibility of the PDF format is creating a PDF document from ready-made files of the JPEG, TIFF, BMP, or PNG format. Let’s consider a specific example. Surely every owner of a multifunctional device has a set of scanned documents, such as a passport. Many bureaucratic agencies often require a passport, and they all want a copy of the passport. Moreover, a title page with a photograph is not enough for them; they also need a page with registration, with data of marriage, children, etc. If your passport pages are stored as a separate set of images, you will have to open each of them separately and start printing.

It is much more convenient to store the scanned passport as one PDF document. To make a copy of the entire passport, you can open the PDF file and start printing in two clicks. At the same time, neither the quality nor the size of the image is lost. By the same principle, you can create a pdf base of all the documents you need, like credit card authorization form pdf fillable template. Storing documents in PDF is convenient. In addition to the passport, many other documents can be sent by mail at any time, signed from a business trip or vacation using an electronic signature, or printed.

Why is it possible to enter text in some PDF documents, but not in others?

Is there a way to fill out any PDF Forms without having to print them out? Some PDF forms are specifically created to read and retain text that you enter. Not all forms are fillable. In some cases, form creators do not convert PDF files to fillable forms. Besides this, form creators can deliberately create forms to be filled in by hand or using the Fill and Sign tool. These non-interactive forms are called simple forms. These interactive PDF forms are commonly referred to as “fillable” forms and can be created with several programs, including Lumin PDF. Static forms are those that do not accept text input are often scans of paper documents or files printed. But even if the form is not filled out, with some programs, you can add your text. However, it is always possible to add comments and notes to files. For example, the Lumin PDF software supports text entry and saves if it was created for filling.

 Tips for filling out PDF forms

  • Simple Form in Lumin PDF: A simple form contains no interactive fields. However, you can use the Fill & Sign tools to add text and other characters anywhere on the form. For instructions, see Filling out a PDF form.

  • Filling out simple forms in the browser: Many users view PDF forms in a browser, such as when following a link on a website. If the form does not contain interactive fields, you can use the Fill & Sign tool to fill out the form. Save the form to your computer and then open it directly in Lumin PDF.

  • Interactive Forms in Lumin PDF: Using an Interactive Fillable Form in Lumin PDF: Select the area where you want to enter text. The interactive form contains fields available for selection and filling. The message bar indicates the presence of fillable fields in the form. When you click the panel, fillable fields are displayed. The pointer changes to a different icon as you move it across the area.

For example, in situations where it is possible to enter text in a form field, the tool turns into a cursor. Some text boxes are dynamic. This means that to accommodate all the entered data, they can be resized and transferred to another page. To make it easier to find form fields, click the “Highlight Existing fields” button (located on the document message bar). The form fields will be highlighted, and all required fields will be outlined in a different color. Click to select the options you want, such as radio buttons. Click inside the text box to enter text. After completing the input, the form can be saved or sent.

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