How to create a fillable form in Microsoft Word.
Forms are great for gathering the information you need in the order and format you want. Learn to include fillable forms in your documents.
Fillable forms are documents that have editable fields where you can add and edit data. Why learn how to create a fillable form in Microsoft Word? Electronic forms can help you become paperless and speed up how you process information. When you gather data electronically, you streamline your process by eliminating the need for someone to enter information from a paper form into your business systems. You can also send, share, and store the data more efficiently.
Now that you know what a fillable Word form is, let’s explore how to make a Word document fillable.
How to make a fillable form in Word.
Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make a fillable form in Word:
- Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then check the Developer Tab in the right column. Then click OK.
- Look for the developer controls in your top ribbon. Click it to bring up the developer controls.
- Look under the Design Mode and Properties controls to see all the ways you can customize your new fillable form.
While we’ve got you covered on making fillable forms in Word, don’t miss out on learning how to make a fillable form in Excel when working with data.
Pros and cons of using a Word fillable form.
Creating a fillable form in Word can help streamline processes, but it also has its share of drawbacks. Below, we’ll detail some of the upsides and downsides of a Word fillable form.
Pros
- A fillable form corresponds with the data and format you want, such as text, dates, numbers, and more.
- Validation rules and instructions can be added to guide users and prevent errors.
- Form controls such as dropdown lists, checkboxes, and command buttons make the form more user-friendly.
Cons
- The developer tab in Word must be enabled to access the form tools.
- There is potential for accidental edits, which can affect the form’s appearance, accuracy, and functionality.
- You may encounter compatibility issues if you share your form with users who have different versions of Word.
Design tips when creating a fillable form in Word.
When you create a fillable form in Word, there are many options for your document’s design.
The following are some choices that can help you gather the information you need from the receiver of your document:
- Rich text — allows the document to have multiple fonts and formatting options
- Plain text — prohibits formatting from being included
- Picture — adds a single photo
- Building block gallery — displays a gallery of formatted design options from the Quick Parts gallery
- Combo box — makes a list that users can edit directly
- Dropdown list — users can pick from several choices that appear when clicking the list arrow
- Date picker — allows users to choose a date, and the control automatically formats it
- Checkbox — adds a checkbox to a form
- Legacy tools — contain form controls from former versions of Word
Word fillable forms give you numerous options for customization to fit your document needs.
Create a fillable form in Word and sign with PDF.
After designing your form and gathering the information you need, it’s time for signatures. Using a PDF editor is the fastest way to sign a PDF when needed. Drag and drop a PDF or upload it from your computer, then fill and sign it. You can safely and securely sign online with any web browser with a PDF.
Find out more about everything possible with Adobe Acrobat today.
