Creating a Fillable Pdf with Signature & check box options

[tobywearefine]

Hi All,

I've been approached by a client to create a filable pdf form that can be printed & also downloaded to be filled in digitally (iPad etc). I've looked into some reaseach but I wanted to ask some questions - 

I'm going to create the form in InDesign & open the designed form in Acrobat & use the 'Prepare Form' options, is this the best way to create the form? It's an enrollment form so handling the design accurately in InDesign is where I feel most comfortable.  The client has asked if it can have the ability to be signed on an iPad or tablet, is this at all possible without 3rd party software or subscription?

Any advice would be gratefully received, thanks in advance!

Best,

Toby

[try67]

> I'm going to create the form in InDesign & open the designed form in Acrobat & use the 'Prepare Form' options, is this the best way to create the form?

-If you do that then don't add any form fields in ID. Create only the layout. Form fields should be added either in ID or in Acrobat.

> The client has asked if it can have the ability to be signed on an iPad or tablet, is this at all possible without 3rd party software or subscription?

-Depends. You can use a simple scribble on an iPad, but not a real digital signature, if that's what they're after.

[tobywearefine]

Hi Try,

Thanks for coming back to me I appreciate it!

Am I best to add the form fields in ID as I'm already there create the design of the form?

With regards to the scribble, that would be fine, is there setting for that in Acrobat?

Also, can I use the one form for both digital & a download for print? Will there be any issue with fields showing on the printed version?

Best,

T

[try67]

If you add the fields in ID then you might not be able to edit them properly in Acrobat, and vice versa, so choose which application you prefer to use, and stick to it.

By "scribble" I mean using the Pen commenting tool. You don't need to do anything in Acrobat to allow that.

Yes, you should be able to use the same form for both purposes.

[tobywearefine]

Cheers Try!

I think I'll stick to my inital plan with designing the form in ID & then add the 'Prepare Form' within Acrobat along with the tickboxes & signature elements.

I'm happy to use the scribble, but is there a way to just use that field with your finger alone without having to select a tool? Pre-load the tool to use?

I'm concious of this working across different platforms: Apple/Android, do you have any advice at all? 

T

[try67]

No, the "scribbling" is done with the Pen tool. You can't really use a script for it, nor should you, as almost all scripts won't work on a mobile device (to answer your last question).

You should try to keep your form as simple as possible, if you want it to work on multiple platforms. The less scripts you add to it, the better.

[tobywearefine]

Hi Try,

Yes I will keep it as clean & clear as possible. It's a pretty standard enrollment form so should be fine. 

I thkn I may have confused you, I dont want to use an font or scripts within the form or the signature field, what I've noticed when filling out forms is that when you select to sign a form you can just use your finger to sign your name, that's what I'd like to be able to do if possible, I don't really want the user to have to select a tool to sign, just use a finger to sign. Do you think this is possible?

When I've looked in the 'Prepare Form' settings/options there is 2 sign options, any idea's on what the dfferences are any benefits to either?

Best,
T

[try67]

I think they have to select a tool first. Otherwise each time you touch the page it will create a scribble...

What sign options are you referring to, exactly?