PDF documents live up to their name by being portable, efficient, and dependable, as well as the de facto standard for electronic documents. However, there are some constraints when it comes to modifying them.
While the inability to edit PDF files in a standard PDF viewer ensures that documents are transferred neatly, and that formatting errors are avoided, people have difficulty editing them, especially editing PDF forms. In this article, we will introduce how to edit PDF forms online.
In this article
Part 1: 5 Best Free PDF Form Editors Online
Many businesses rely on free PDF editors to stay afloat. A free or low-cost PDF editor can help a business's bottom line if it sends and receives many legal documents or other forms. Unlike other free document editing tools, PDFs can only be edited by the creator or those with a password, and information such as when the document was last edited (and by whom) is hidden.
However, if you only need to create a PDF once in a while rather than every day, you should avoid investing in dedicated PDF software. This is where free PDF form editors online come in.
Here are the 5 best tools you can use to edit PDF forms online.
1. XODO - Edit PDF Forms Online
Xodo is business-oriented document creation software that automates text editing, annotation, digital signature, PDF sharing, and other tasks. It is installable on-premises and includes cloud support for online collaboration.
Xodo allows users to digitize and save signatures by signing documents with a finger or a stylus, such as contracts, cover letters, and reports. The software includes various tools for editing, annotating, saving, and sharing documents or PDFs, taking notes, underlining or highlighting text, inserting comments, images, and shapes, freehand sketching, and more. In addition, the platform's chat feature also allows teams to collaborate with clients and colleagues in real time.
To facilitate data sharing, Xodo integrates with cloud storage solutions such as Google Drive, DropBox, and OneDrive. The platform also offers iOS, Android, and web apps for accessing the software.
Here are the steps for using XODO to edit PDF files online:
Step 1Open the webpage
In your browser, access the XODO free pdf form editor.
Step 2Select file
After you access the XODO webpage, click "Select File" to start browsing your PDF file. You can also drag and drop your PDF file in the intended section.
Step 3Edit the form
You can now start editing your PDF file.
Step 4Save
After you edit your PDF form, click the "Apply Changes" button on the right side of the panel. This will save your work.
Step 5Download
After saving your work, you can download it to your device.
2. HiPDF – A Free PDF Form Editor Online
HiPDF is a full-featured PDF solution with workflows for creating, converting, editing, and sharing PDFs. It includes editing tools for text, images, pages, and other PDF elements. Word, Excel, PPT, JPG, and PNG files, among others, can be converted to and from PDF format. HiPDF is available for download for Windows and macOS desktops and is a web-based solution on any device.
Here are the steps for using HiPDF to edit PDF files online:
Step 1Open the webpage
In your browser, go to the HiPDF free pdf form editor.
Step 2Upload PDF files
Upload or drop the PDF files into the HiPDF panel.
Step 3Edit PDF forms
Once uploaded, edit your document as you need. For example, use Text, Image Shape buttons, or add a signature.
Step 4Save and Download the edited PDF
Press the "Apply" button to save your changes. Wait, and then download your edited PDF files.
3. Adobe Online – Fill out and Edit PDF Forms Online
Adobe Acrobat Online is PDF editing software for creating, converting, and sharing PDF documents. It can convert Microsoft Office documents to PDFs and vice versa. Adobe Acrobat Online provides remote collaboration tools such as commenting, progress tracking, e-signatures, and more. The free Acrobat Reader mobile app can view, annotate, and sign PDFs.
Here are the steps for using Adobe Acrobat to edit PDF files online:
Step 1Open the webpage
In your browser, go to the signature page of the Adobe Acrobat Online free pdf form editor.
Step 2Upload PDF files
Select the PDF document you want to fill in and sign.
Step 3Edit the PDF form
After Acrobat uploads the file, sign in to complete the fillable form.
Step 4Save and Download
Download your completed form or get a link to share your PDF online.
4. Jotform – Edit Fillable PDFs Online
The company is the leading online form builder for organizations worldwide, with 10,000+ ready-made form templates, 100+ integrations to third-party apps, and advanced design features. It is commonly used to create payment forms, lead generation forms, registration forms, contact forms, application forms, and other types of forms.
Here are the steps for using Jotform to edit PDF files online:
Step 1Open the webpage
In your browser, go to the homepage of the Jotform free pdf form editor.
Step 2Import Form
Click the "Import Form" button to start.
Step 3Import PDF
You can choose whether to import a pdf link or a pdf file. In this case, we import the pdf form from the device. Select the PDF document you want to fill in, or you can drag and drop it onto the panel.
Step 4Submit PDF
The pdf file will be automatically saved by clicking "Submit" at the end of the document.
Step 5Copy Link and Download
Copy the generated link of the edited pdf and paste it on another browser tab. Then, you can download it.
5. pdfFiller – Fill out and Edit PDFs Online
pdfFiller is an online form and document management system that allows you to edit, print, download, send, and convert documents. The cloud-based system supports eSignatures, has a PDF editor, a form builder, authentication features, and native Android and iOS mobile apps. pdfFiller is a web app that serves as a document creation tool, online PDF editor, eSignature collector, form builder, and data collection tool all in one.
Here are the steps for using pdfFiller to edit PDF files online:
Step 1Open the webpage
In your browser, go to the edit form page of the pdfFiller free pdf form editor.
Step 2Upload PDF files
Select the PDF document you want to fill in. You can drag and drop it on the panel.
Step 3Edit PDF
Go ahead and edit the pdf file.
Step 4Save
After editing, click the "Done" button in the interface's upper right corner. It will automatically save your pdf file.
Step 5Download
Save the document as a PDF file and proceed to download.
Part 3. Edit PDF Forms Online vs. Offline – How To Choose?
PDF editors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. PDF editors are available in various formats, both offline and online. Each type of PDF editor has advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the best type of PDF editor is critical, so which type is the best? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of online and offline editors.
Online PDF Form Editor
Here are the benefits and drawbacks of using an online PDF editor.
Pros
As long as you have an internet connection, you can access your PDF from anywhere.
There is no need to download or install anything.
The majority of online PDF editors are free.
Cons
It requires an internet connection to be used.
It may have fewer features than offline PDF form editors.
Offline PDF Form Editor
Here are the benefits and drawbacks of using an offline PDF form editor.
Pros
There is no need for an internet connection.
More features and options for editing than online PDF form editors.
It can be used for more difficult tasks.
Cons
It must be downloaded and installed on your computer.
It could be more expensive than using online PDF form editors.
In conclusion, both types of PDF editors have advantages and disadvantages, but which PDF editor is best for you is entirely up to you. So, consider your requirements carefully and select the best PDF editor.
Part 4. [Bonus] Wondershare PDFelement – Edit PDF Form Easily
Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor is an all-in-one PDF solution with rich features to complete PDF tasks easily. In addition, it is an easy-to-use PDF form filler and editor which helps users fill out and edit PDF forms with ease.
With PDFelement, you can convert image-based forms to editable forms with one click and fill out both interactive and non-interactive forms with the "Recognize Form" feature. In addition, it offers tools to enable you to add text fields, image areas, and check boxes to the PDF forms.
Here's how to use Wondershare PDFelement to edit a PDF form:
Step 1Open PDF file with PDFelement
Open the PDFelement on your computer, then click "Open files" to select the PDF file to edit.
Step 2Edit PDF Forms
To enter editing mode, click "Form" and make your changes.
You can select the "Add text field" option from the "Form" tab to create a text field. Double-clicking on the text field will reveal a dialogue window where you can adjust the field's settings.
You can change the form field's color, font size, style, and color by going to the "Appearance" page. You can further customize this window using the additional tabs that are accessible.
Step 3Save PDF
Make any necessary changes to your PDF form before saving them by selecting "File" > "Save As" from the submenu.
PDFelement also offers other wonderful features to help you handle PDFs. Watch the following video to learn more!
Conclusion
The best free PDF form editor for you will be determined by how and where you will use it. While some free PDF desktop apps work offline, they only sometimes support multi-platform and mobile devices. Many others are only accessible through your browser. Free tools may also have usage restrictions, such as the number of files you can import or export daily. As a result, they're frequently better for casual users or getting a feel for the tool.