How to Create a Fillable PDF Form from Word or Google Docs, by Simpletivity on YouTube. 9 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Write your form in Word or Google Docs. Lay out the labels and leave clear space where each answer should go. Save or download the file as a PDF.
Sign in to OnlyOffice and open the Form Creator. Upload your PDF document so it becomes the background of the form.
Switch to the form editing tools. Click where an answer belongs and insert a text field. Resize and move it to fit the blank space.
Repeat for every answer line. Give each field a short name so the answers are easy to identify later.
For questions with fixed choices, insert a dropdown menu. Type each option on its own line in the field settings.
Add checkboxes for yes or no items and radio buttons for single-choice groups. Group radio buttons so only one can be picked.
Check the tab order and field names, then preview the form. Fill in a test answer in each field to confirm it works.
Publish or download the finished fillable PDF. Open it in a PDF reader and fill it in once more before sharing the link or file.
Tips and common mistakes
Leave enough blank space in the original document, or the fields will overlap your labels.
Name fields clearly, like email or full_name, so collected answers stay readable.
Test the form in the same PDF reader your recipients will use, since some readers handle fields differently.
Keep the original Word or Docs file so you can fix wording and re-upload later.
Questions
Can I make a fillable PDF without OnlyOffice?
Yes. Adobe Acrobat and several free online PDF editors also add form fields. The steps are similar: upload the PDF, add fields, then save.
Will the form work on phones?
Most PDF readers on phones can fill text fields and checkboxes. Test on a phone before you send it out, as dropdowns can look different.
Do recipients need an OnlyOffice account?
No. They only need a PDF reader. The account is for you, the person building and publishing the form.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
