How Do I Convert a PDF to a Fillable Form?

’ve got a PDF that you want to make interactive—whether it’s a registration form, feedback survey, or quiz. You’re probably wondering how to convert it into a fillable form that people can complete online. The good news is, you have a few easy options depending on your platform of choice.

This post will show you how to turn a static PDF into a fillable form, and how Formswrite.com can help you take it one step further by converting structured documents into online Google Forms.

Step-by-Step: Convert a PDF to a Fillable Form

1. Check Your PDF Format

   • Is it a text-based PDF? If yes, you're ready to go.

   • If it’s a scanned image, use OCR tools like Adobe Acrobat, Google Drive OCR, or OnlineOCR to extract the content.

2. Option 1: Use Adobe Acrobat

   • Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.

   • Go to Tools > Prepare Form. Acrobat will automatically detect form fields.

   • You can adjust the fields manually—add checkboxes, dropdowns, or text boxes.

   • Save the form and distribute it to collect responses digitally.

3. Option 2: Use Google Docs + Formswrite

   • Copy your PDF content into a structured Google Doc. Use clear formatting for each question and option.

   • Visit Formswrite.com to convert that document into a Google Form—an interactive online form that collects responses in the cloud.

   • Note: Formswrite cannot yet import PDFs directly, but this feature is coming soon.

4. Option 3: Use Free Tools Like Jotform or PDFescape

   • Jotform allows you to upload a PDF and map fields into an interactive form.

   • PDFescape (browser-based) lets you manually place form fields on top of your PDF document and then save/export it.

5. Test Your Fillable Form

   • Before sending it to users, test the form yourself to ensure every field is clickable and easy to use.

Why Use Google Forms via Formswrite?

Google Forms is easier to share, integrates with Google Sheets, and works well across devices. By turning your PDF into a Google Doc and using Formswrite.com, you can create modern, cloud-based forms in minutes.

FAQ

Q: Can I directly upload a PDF to Google Forms? A: No. Google Forms does not currently support PDF uploads.

Q: What’s the easiest way to make a PDF fillable for free? A: Use PDFescape for small edits or copy content into a Google Doc and convert it using Formswrite.

Q: Can Formswrite create a fillable PDF? A: Not directly. Formswrite is designed to turn Google Docs into Google Forms, not PDFs.

Q: Can I use fillable PDFs on mobile devices? A: Yes, but Google Forms usually offers a smoother mobile experience.