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ValérielArtiste
Participating Frequently
Apr 1, 2026 8:23 PM UTC
Answered

How-to make a text field in a form pdf editable

Is there a way to have something like this in a pdf form made in InDesign (or Acrobat DC) ? So the person filling the form can format the text he is writing

 

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Apr 1, 2026 9:01 PM UTC

    AFAIK, only if one uses Rich Text formatting. You can put a tooltip or text on the form mentioning that Cntl-E or Cmd-E with Acrobat Reader, Standard, or Pro. 

     

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

    12 replies

    ValérielArtiste
    Participating Frequently
    Apr 3, 2026 10:18 PM UTC

    Thank you all. The rich text format is what i was forgetting and i will add a mention for the Ctrl+E. Thank you! 

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    TᴀW
    Legend
    Apr 3, 2026 3:11 PM UTC

    It’s not clear from your question if you mean that you specifically want “rich text” available in the PDF, or if you just want the user to be able to type in a designated area (a text field). From the title of the thread it sounds to me like the latter.

    In that case, yes, create a text frame in InDesign, open the Buttons and Forms panel, and set the text frame to be a text field.

    Now when you export the InDesign document to interactive PDF, the user will be able to type text into that area...

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    id-extras.com | InDesign tools & scripts for typesetters, form designers, and translators
    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Apr 3, 2026 3:44 PM UTC

    Since the OP used the “format the text” and showed a screen capture with formatting tools, my assumption is the user needs to use rich text.

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    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    Apr 1, 2026 9:01 PM UTC

    AFAIK, only if one uses Rich Text formatting. You can put a tooltip or text on the form mentioning that Cntl-E or Cmd-E with Acrobat Reader, Standard, or Pro. 

     

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    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    ValérielArtiste
    Participating Frequently
    Apr 1, 2026 9:28 PM UTC

    Ok! So what does the Ctrl+E does? if the text box is set to « allow Rich text formatting »?

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    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Apr 1, 2026 11:54 PM UTC

    OR, you could try it.

     

    (Hint: It brings up the formatting tool bar.)

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    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)