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loyal_Raindrop5EE1
Participant
April 21, 2026
Question

I am trying to use a stylus to enter data in Adobe

  • April 21, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 25 views

I've been asked to create an instructional training about using the HP Active Pen G3 to perform a variety of tasks for our investigators,

 

I am able to use the pen to highlight and select things or activate in a form an area to enter information to in Adobe, but I am not able to use it to sign or annotate the documents.  I can't write in the various fillable options in a form using the stylus.  No pop-up keyboard appears ever to be able to use to enter in information.  I don’t see an option to use it to enter text anywhere.

 

I don't know if I am missing something obvious, but is there a stylus mode within Adobe Acrobat?  I thought the stylus pen would have more functionality to it within Adobe.  It appears to be unable to be used to fill in portions that I am allowed to type in.  Can anyone tell me how to use the stylus to be able to fill in areas of a fillable form designated for text?  Thanks in advance.

    1 reply

    T
    Community Manager
    Tariq Ahmad DarCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    April 24, 2026

    Hello ​@loyal_Raindrop5EE1 ,


    Thank you for your question.

    In Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader, a stylus (such as the HP Active Pen G3) functions primarily as a mouse input device. There is no separate “stylus mode” for entering text into form fields.

    For fillable form fields, text entry is supported through keyboard input. When you tap into a text field with the stylus, it sets focus to the field, but Acrobat relies on the system’s input method (such as a physical or on-screen keyboard) to enter text. Acrobat itself does not trigger a handwriting or stylus-based text entry experience.

    To clarify the available functionality:

    • Form fields (text boxes):

      • Tap with the stylus to place the cursor

      • Use a keyboard (physical or on-screen) to enter text

    • Signing documents:

      • You can use the Fill & Sign tool

      • This allows you to draw a signature using the stylus

    • Annotations (freehand writing):

      • Use the Comment tool → Draw free form option

      • This enables pen-based writing directly on the document

    If an on-screen keyboard does not appear when tapping into a form field, this is typically controlled by the operating system settings (Windows pen and touch keyboard settings) rather than Acrobat. You may want to check that the touch keyboard appears when no physical keyboard is attached.


    ~Tariq

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