PDFelement-Powerful and Simple PDF Editor
Get started with the easiest way to manage PDFs with PDFelement!
If you still print forms, fill and sign them by hand, and scan them to send back in this era, then you've been stressing yourself for no reason. There's now a better and simpler way to fill out a PDF form without having to print out its hard copy. All thanks to online and offline PDF tools!
So, suppose you just received a PDF form via mail or downloaded it from a website online, and you're looking to fill it out - the best option is to employ an online or offline PDF management tool to get the job done.
However, if you don't know which tool will be best for the operation, fret not. This guide will teach you how to fill out PDF forms online and offline and show you the best tools you can utilize for the operation. Keep reading!
In this article
Part 1: Want to Fill Out PDF Form Online? 4 Handy Fillers for You
We all know there are various PDF fillers online that always claim to be the best. But most times, they end up failing to meet up to all their claims. Here we've curated a list of four reputable online PDF fillers you can always trust to fill PDF forms online easily.
1. Adobe Acrobat Online - Fill and Sign a PDF
The Adobe Acrobat Online tool is the first online PDF form filler on our list. This tool is very popular among professionals and newbies as it facilitates seamless PDF management operations online. It does not matter if you want to fill out or sign a PDF form. It'll help you perform the task without compromising the PDF forms.
Also, Adobe Acrobat online offers other functions besides PDF form filling. It can convert, compress, protect, reorder, and do lots more on PDF documents. It only takes a few clicks.
Key Features
- Compress PDF into various formats like Word, PPT, Excel, and JPG.
- Easily edit, merge, and split PDFs.
- Merge PDF pages within a few clicks.
- Fill, sign, and password-protect PDF forms.
Here are the steps to use Adobe Acrobat Online to fill out the PDF form online;
Step 1 Open the Adobe Acrobat Online Fill and Sign tool in your browser and click Select File to upload the PDF form you want to fill.
Step 2 You'll be required to sign up for a new account.
Step 3 On the new page, you will be allowed to fill out the PDF form and add a digital signature if required.
Step 4 After you finish filling and signing the PDF form, click Download from the top-right corner to complete the operation.
Pros
Offers many helpful functions for managing PDF files online.
It's simple to use.
Create, fill, and sign PDF forms quickly and easily.
Cons
It's not 100% free.
Your PDF form data will be hosted online.
2. DocFly - PDF Filler & Editor
DocFly can also come in handy for filling PDF forms. It offers quite a similar function as the Adobe Acrobat Online tool, though, unlike Adobe Acrobat Online, it can be used to add images, draw, add links, highlight, and do lots more on PDF forms online.
Moreover, the DocFly tool is not limited to just filling and editing PDF forms. It can also convert PDF files, merge, password protect, and add watermarks to PDF documents. And thanks to its simple interface, you won't find it difficult to navigate your way around the tool.
Key Features
- Edit and fill PDF forms smoothly.
- Supports different functions for carrying out different PDF tasks like PDF compression, PDF merging, extraction of PDF pages, etc.
- Simple user interface.
- Reorder pages.
- Highlight text.
- Rotate PDF.
Pros
It's easy to operate.
Edited PDF files are not deleted until after 24 hours.
Fill out PDF forms within a few clicks.
Cons
You need to pay to access some features.
It's not efficient for handling large PDF documents.
It does not support advanced PDF tools.
3. XODO PDF.online
XODO PDF.online is another online PDF tool that offers helpful functions that one might need to work on PDF documents. From filling PDF forms to signing, creating, compressing, and doing lots more. This tool allows you to operate smoothly without requiring technical knowledge. Besides, it supports PDF viewing tools that facilitate how one reads and compare PDFs online.
Key Features
- Read and compare PDF files online easily.
- Convert PDF into various formats without any complication.
- Full and sign PDF within a few minutes.
- Supports OCR convert, which is very helpful for managing scanned PDF files online.
Pros
The tools are easily accessible.
It supports many helpful PDF editing tools.
PDF form-filling process is straightforward.
Cons
You need to upgrade to the premium plan to access the tool's full features.
4. Jotform
Just as the name suggests, Jotform allows you to manage your PDF forms efficiently. The sole purpose of this tool is to manage PDF forms. It supports tools that allow you to annotate, sign, password-protect, print, and do lots more on PDF forms effortlessly. You can even use it to create a PDF form within a few clicks.
Key Features
- Annotate PDF form.
- Password-protect and sign a PDF form.
- Print PDF form.
- Create PDF form.
- Save PDF files to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
Pros
Handle PDF forms efficiently.
It's easy to operate.
It's 10% free.
Cons
It does not offer any other PDF editing tool asides from form filler.
Part 2: How to Fill PDF Form with Desktop PDF Form Filler (Free Download)
Fortunately, you can also fill PDF form without using an online tool. All thanks to the best PDF management software for desktops, PDFelement. The software is packed with many rich features that allow you to execute several operations, including PDF editing, conversion, merging, password-protect, signing, and lots more.
With PDFelement, you will get access to a vast array of tools to handle PDF forms. It enables you to add text, add radio buttons, extract data, sign, create a date field, add an image field, etc., to PDF forms. Plus, It supports a Recognize Form feature that automatically recognizes form fields.
Key Features
- Sign and password-protect PDF.
- Create and fill out a PDF form safely and securely.
- Translate PDF form text into various languages within a few clicks.
- Easily share PDF forms with co-workers.
Here is how to use PDFelement to fill out PDF forms on a desktop;
Step 1 Download and install the PDFelement software on your PC.
Step 2 Launch PDFelement and click 'Open PDF' to upload the PDF form that you're looking to fill out.
Step 3 Click 'Form' from the top and click 'Add Text' from the top left side to add text to the PDF form.
You can also add an image field, a radio button, and lots more.
Step 4 Once you finish filling out the PDF form, click 'File' from the top right side. Then, select 'Save As' to save the PDF form to your PC's local storage.
Part 3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Filling PDF Form Online
The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of filling out a PDF form online;
Advantages
Online tools allow you to fill out PDF forms from any device, anywhere, as long as you have a good internet connection.
You don't need to install an app, which is great for saving your device's storage space.
Disadvantages
PDF data is usually hosted online.
You can't work on more than one PDF form online.
There is a chance of downloading an edited PDF form with a malicious program or virus that can compromise your device's functionality.
Features are usually limited.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the tools above will help you fill PF form online without any complications.
All of the online tools introduced above are very easy to use, and they also support various PDF features besides PDF form filling. You just need to choose the one that suits your requirements. Though PDFelement offers more excellent features, and it does not expose your PDF data to online hackers.
