Make a PDF Form Fillable Online (Free)
· Learn how to make any PDF form fillable online without Adobe Acrobat. Free tool to convert static PDFs into interactive web forms anyone can fill on any device.
The Problem with Non-Fillable PDFs
You have a PDF form — maybe a government application, a medical intake form, or an expense report. But it's not fillable. People have to:
- Print it
- Fill it by hand
- Scan it or take a photo
- Email it back
This is slow, error-prone, and impossible to track. You need to make that PDF fillable — but Adobe Acrobat Pro costs $20/month and requires technical know-how.
The Free Alternative: Convert to a Web Form
Instead of making the PDF itself fillable, convert it to an interactive HTML web form. This is better because:
- Works on any device — phones, tablets, laptops
- No PDF reader required — just a web browser
- Responses are collected automatically — no manual data entry
- You get analytics — see who submitted, when, and what
Step-by-Step: Make Your PDF Fillable with Formtly
Step 1: Go to the Converter
Open formtly.com/convert-pdf-to-form. No sign-up required.
Step 2: Upload Your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF file. Formtly accepts:
- Fillable PDFs (AcroForm)
- XFA forms (from Adobe LiveCycle)
- Non-fillable/static PDFs
- Scanned documents with form layouts
Step 3: Automatic Field Detection
Formtly's engine detects all form fields:
- Text fields → interactive text inputs
- Checkboxes → clickable checkboxes
- Dropdowns → HTML select menus
- Date fields → calendar date picker
- Signature areas → draw or type signature pad
- Tables → preserved with row/column structure
Step 4: Customize (Optional)
Edit field labels, add validation, set up email notifications, or connect to Google Sheets.
Step 5: Share
Publish and get a shareable link. Anyone can fill the form on any device.
Formtly vs Adobe Acrobat for Making PDFs Fillable
Common Questions
Can I convert a scanned PDF?
Yes — if the scanned PDF has a form-like layout, Formtly will detect the fields and create interactive inputs.
Will the form look exactly like my PDF?
Yes. Formtly preserves fonts, colors, positions, tables, and layout pixel-for-pixel.
Is it really free?
Yes. The free plan includes 5 published forms with 1,000 responses per form per month. No credit card required.