PDF-XChange Editor includes functionality that can be used to add fillable forms to documents. Fillable forms can be used to create dynamic documents such as those used to make credit card payments and create website accounts. Please note that this is a licensed feature. Therefore, unless PDF-XChange Editor Plus is used, documents will feature watermarks when fillable forms are created. See below for instructions on how to:
Barcodes translate form data into an encoded pattern to increase security and efficiency. They are compatible with most smartphones and tablets and have several useful templates, such as electronic business cards that can be used for contact details and other personal information. They can also be used to link to URLs, create custom messages and send automatic emails. Follow the steps below to add barcodes to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Barcode button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue rectangle that represents the barcode.
3. Place the rectangle at the desired location and click to create the barcode. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance barcodes.
Buttons are used to enable specific operations within documents, such as opening a web link or playing a sound. The operations are carried out when buttons are clicked. Follow the instructions below to add buttons to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Button button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue rectangle that represents the button.
3. Place the rectangle at the desired location and click to create the button. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance buttons.
Check boxes allow users to make a binary choice between mutually exclusive options, such as yes/no answers. Follow the instructions below to add check boxes to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Check Box button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue square that represents the check box.
3. Place the square at the desired location and click to create the check box. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance check boxes.
Digital signatures are used to demonstrate the authenticity of documents and increase their security. Follow the instructions below to add digital signature fields to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Digital Signature button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue rectangle that represents the digital signature field.
3. Place the rectangle at the desired location and click to create the digital signature field. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance digital signatures.
Dropdown menus allow users to select only one value from a list of options contained within a static, multiple line text box, such as a list of nationalities. The option selected is displayed within the dropdown menu. Follow the instructions below to add dropdown menus to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Dropdown button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue rectangle that represents the dropdown menu.
3. Place the rectangle at the desired location and click to create dropdown menu. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance dropdown menus.
List boxes allow users to select one or more items from a list of options contained within a static, multiple line text box, such as a list of months of the year. The option selected is displayed within the list box. Follow the instructions below to add list boxes to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the List Box button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue rectangle that represents the list box.
3. Place the rectangle at the desired location and click to create the list box. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance list boxes.
Radio buttons are used within fillable forms to denote options that are mutually exclusive, such as answers to multiple-choice questions. Follow the instructions below to add radio buttons to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Radio Button button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue square that represents the radio button.
3. Place the square at the desired location and click to create the radio button. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance radio buttons.
Text fields are used to denote a space in which users can can enter text, such as their address or credit card details. Follow the instructions below to add text fields to documents:
1. Click Edit Form in the Shortcut Toolbar.
2. Click the Text Field button in the Properties Toolbar. The pointer will turn into a crosshairs and feature a blue rectangle that represents the text field.
3. Place the rectangle at the desired location and click to create the text field. See here for further options.
4. Use the editing options detailed here to edit and enhance text fields.
When fillable forms have been created, it is sometimes required to change the order in which the Tab key will move through forms. Follow the instructions below to change the Tab order of document forms:
1. Click View in the Menu Toolbar.
2. Hover over Other Panes.
3. Click Fields. The Fields pane will open.
4. Click Options. The Options submenu will open.
5. Click Order by Pages. Then click the Edit Form tool in the Shortcut Toolbar.
6. Click and drag fields within the Fields pane to reorder them.
1. Select the form.
2. Press F2. The Rename Field dialog box will open.
3. Enter the new name in the text box.
PDF-XChange Editor includes functionality that can be used to carry out calculations on values entered into forms. Follow the instructions below to calculate values based on the information entered into document forms:
1. Place either a Text Field or a Drop Down form in the active document.
2. Right-click the form and select Properties. The Properties pane will open.
3. Move to the Format Value tab and set the Category to Number.
4. Move to the Value Calculation tab and select the desired calculation. See here for information on available calculations. After a calculation is selected the Fields option will appear in the Value Calculation tab.
5. Click the ellipsis icon on the right of the Fields option. The Field Selection dialog box will open.
6. Select the fields to be included in the calculation and click OK. The document will then update with the desired calculations in place.
PDF-XChange Editor includes functionality that can be used to validate figures entered into forms. Follow the instructions below to validate that values entered into document forms fall within a designated range:
1. Place either a Text Field or a Drop Down form in the active document.
2. Right-click the form and select Properties. The Properties pane will open.
3. Move to the Format Value tab and set the Category to Number.
4. Move to the Value Validation tab and select Value in Range. The From and To options will appear in the Value Validation tab.
5. Use the From and To options to determine the desired range.
Additionally, several of the Keyboard Shortcuts relate to forms.
