Import PDF into InDesign to make fillable

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
November 3, 2023
3 replies
2220 views

I have a pdf file which was originally created in MS Word.

This needs to be made fillable.

I was planning to either make it fillable

1. using Acrobat prepare form or
2. import the PDF into InDesign and add the fields in InDesign.

Would there be any difference in the way the final PDFs work?

Correct answer Luke Jennings3

A pdf imported into InDesign and exported as a new pdf will be as good as the original pdf, assuming you do not downsample the exported pdf, also, any comments, stamps and hyperlinks on the original pdf probably won't be preserved when placed into InDesign. Acrobat has easy to use tools for creating simple forms and is your best option, however, you can use InDesign to create your form fields, if you prefer. (Use the place multipage pdf script supplied with InDesign).

JR Boulay

Community Expert

"Why no?"

Because Acrobat Pro is designed for designing PDF forms, unlike InDesign.

It's always easier to create and manage form fields with Acrobat Pro.

In addition, there are traps in InDesign that don't exist in Acrobat Pro, such as not incorporating the fonts used by the fields, see this topic:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/problem-with-embedding-a-font-in-a-interactice-and-editable-pdf/m-p/14182075#M435897

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

JR Boulay

Community Expert

This one is pretty nice too:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/pretty-bug-when-converting-checkboxes-to-pdf/m-p/14175755#M546940

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

JR Boulay

Community Expert

1. Yes.

2. No, no, no and no.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

S

Summayah5FC7Author

Inspiring

Why no?

Just to clarify it's a 70 page booklet with fields scattered throughout.
I was hoping to do it in InDesign as it's easier, but was wandering if how it would affect it.

Luke Jennings3

Correct answer

Community Expert

A pdf imported into InDesign and exported as a new pdf will be as good as the original pdf, assuming you do not downsample the exported pdf, also, any comments, stamps and hyperlinks on the original pdf probably won't be preserved when placed into InDesign. Acrobat has easy to use tools for creating simple forms and is your best option, however, you can use InDesign to create your form fields, if you prefer. (Use the place multipage pdf script supplied with InDesign).

Eric Dumas

Community Expert

No major difference for simple forms
For fields with more options, Acrobat is better.
I would import the Word doc in InDesign (not pdf) before adding fields, export to pdf interactive. Then open the pdf in Acrobat to add extra/advance options to the fields.