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

Forum|Forum|2 days ago
April 1, 2026
3 replies
64 views

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

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

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.

ValérielArtisteAuthor

Participating Frequently

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

TᴀW

Legend

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...

Visit www.id-extras.com for powerful InDesign scripts that save hours of work — automation, batch tools, and workflow boosters for serious designers.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

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.

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

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Correct answer

Community Expert

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)

ValérielArtisteAuthor

Participating Frequently

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

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

OR, you could try it.

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

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

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