We do not provide any support for creating fillable PDF's!
It is possible to send out a fillable document in our webportal and API. You need to make the document fillable before you upload the document. In this article you will learn how to do this.
The options within sending a fillable document are limited. We do not support smart input fields. Our software can only process text fields and/or checkboxes. Therefore, we also offer the possibility of working with web forms. Are you interested in using web forms or would you like us to make the document fillable? Contact our team!
How to make a fillable document?
To make a document fillable, we recommend using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC . Below you can find the steps on how to set up a document so that text fields and check-boxes can be filled in by the signatory(ies).
Step 1 - Creating the document
Any word processing program can be used to create a document and then save/export it as a PDF document. The example shows a document that includes sufficient space for fillable fields (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - Preparing a document in Word. Any other word processor (e.g. Apple Pages) can be used, as long as it can be saved as a PDF.
Step 2 - Make the document fillable
Next, open the saved PDF in Adobe Acrobat, navigate to 'All tools' and select ‘Prepare form’.
Figure 2 – Open the document, and select the correct tool.
Do not select the check box in 'This document requires signatures' in figure 3, you can directly start. (You do not always get this option)
Figure 3 - Do not select
Next, insert the required text fields and/or check boxes in the document. Be sure to give each element a unique name, and that the name of the signature is ‘Signature-1_1’. Do you have multiple signers, click here!
Inserting a text field:
Placing a checkbox:
Placing a signature field:
Figure 4 – Inserting fillable elements
Next, all fillable fields can be assigned to the first signer using the settings shown in Figure 5 and 5.1. Mark all fields (except the signature fields of other signers) as ‘read only’ for the first signer. Use the 'just these fields' option for this!
Figure 5 – Assign the fillable fields to the first signer
Figure 5.1 - Select the fields that need to be filled in by the first signer.
Only the specific fields of the subsequent signers need to be assigned to them, so mark only their own signature field as ‘read only’.
Figure 6 - Select only the field(s) for signer 2
Finally, the document can be saved, and is ready to be signed with Signhost.
Step 3 - Sending the document
The final step is to check that the document has been created correctly, and when signed, gives the correct outcome. Follow the article How do I create a new transaction? and choose Fillable when you upload the document.
Step 4 - Signing the test document
The signers can fill in the fields during the signing process when accessing the document. In the example below, there are only fillable fields for signatory 1 (Signature-1_1). The information entered by this signatory will be remembered. If sent in order, the second signatory (Signature-2_1) sees the completed fields.
Figure 7 - Signing process
Note! It looks like any signatory can fill in the fields. So it should be clear which signatory should fill in the fields. Only the fields linked to the correct signatory will be remembered.
Step 5 - Results
When the transaction has been successful then the information entered by the signer is visible on the signed document. Please note that fields can't be made mandatory.
Note!
After opening the pdf, check under More/More whether 'Acrobat Form' is selected. If a 'Digital Signature' can be added, this is the case; if only a 'Signature (Block)' can be selected, Acrobat Form must be switched.
For all fillable elements, it is important that they have unique names, so no 'untitled'. Each field must have its own name. Numbering can be an option: text1, text2, text3, for example.
For checkboxes, it is important that the export value is set to 'on'.
Other elements, such as radio buttons or radio buttons, are not supported.
We do not recommend using fillable fields in combination with Qualified Signatures.
Name the 'Digital Signature' field as follows: 'Signature-1_1'.
Signature 2: 'Signature-2_1'
It is not possible to also use Drag-and-Drop for the signature location in a fillble form.
Our support team is happy to help you via chat or e-mail: support@signhost.com