Create fillable PDF documents for free with PDF Escape (2023 Update)

[@DesigningtheRowVideos]

I was so frustrated trying it on my own so I came immediately to KZbin and was "glad" to see it wasn't just me!! haha

[@fernandquill]

Oh you're definitely not alone! 🙃

[@enr3456]

Thank you for sharing the updated version tutorial, the new version is doing my head in. But you’ve simplified all the updates so well, so thank you again for this :)

[@fernandquill]

You're welcome, I'm so glad you found it helpful. Let's keep our fingers crossed for some improvements soon

[@ArkansanDragon]

@@fernandquill This thing has apparently gotten worse since your video. I can't figure out how to get to the properties thing everybody keeps talking about. I can't right click on anything and double clicking anything only adds stuff I don't want that I then can't delete without redoing the entire sheet. Everything that gets put into the sheet is white instead of yellow like yours. I'm trying to edit a pdf that was made in another program. But pdfescape isn't even showing any of the fillable boxes. Any advice?

[@bgkrijger]

👍👍👍 appriciate your patiency while explaining.

[@fernandquill]

Thank you so much

[@bgkrijger]

@@fernandquill Your're most welcome. I'm now searching for a way to edit multiple text fields at once. Do you have a suggestion?

[@charlesfcpx]

HONESTLY SAVED ME ALOT OF TIME FR FR, W VIDEO

[@fernandquill]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@cristianomoniz]

You don't have any idea how you solved my problem.....I REALLY APPRECIATE IT! Deep deep thank you!

[@fernandquill]

I'm so glad it helped! You're very welcome ☺️

[@tubetubepleasure]

Wow, you have brightened my day, you tutorial is absolutely georgeous. It is soooooooooo helpful!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much

[@fernandquill]

You're so very welcome, I'm glad it made you smile ☺️

[@kristycrippen8639]

Thank you SO much for putting this video together! I am very new to this program and am doing work for a client that I've not done previously. I followed your step-by-step instructions regarding the text fields/boxes and it was spot on. I also appreciate all of the advice, tips, and words of wisdom you shared. This program has its merits but like you said, there are some definite challenges at times, too. I was able to put together a workbook for my client and am happy with how it turned out. I will continue to watch your video to learn about adding checkboxes next as that will come in super handy for me for my own checklists that I just created for my business. A very happy new subscriber and I look forward to checking out more of your videos!

[@fernandquill]

Aw Kristy, thank you so much for a lovely comment and for subscribing! You've made my day 😍

[@CarmenCHaselwanter]

Thank you Michelle for sharing this with us. I was searching for the Multi-Line-Textfield and you were showing it how to do it within the new version. Well appreciated...

[@fernandquill]

Wonderful! I'm so glad you found it helpful, thanks Carmen 😊

[@isabeauiqbal9565]

Thank you SO much for creating this. I really don't like the new version of PDFEscape but your tutorial allowed me to complete my project.

[@fernandquill]

Oh I'm so glad it was helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to share 😊

[@mermaidmoon8967]

I was struggling for over an hour trying to figure this thing out. Thank you soooo much for your video! Life saver!

[@fernandquill]

Oh you're very welcome, I'm glad it was helpful 😊

[@ronaldmarcelle1572]

Great easy to follow tutorial, thanks for sharing

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome, thank you for the great feedback 😊

[@ricardosandoval6387]

Thank you for sharing this, it is frustrating but again its free.

[@fernandquill]

That's it hey. Although I have noticed an improvement in it over the last few weeks. Perhaps they're still working on things.

[@julielapresle3107]

Thank you, it was so helpful I was stuck, and you just save my day 😀

[@fernandquill]

Oh I'm so glad it was helpful Julie!

[@HalimaNarimeneAissa]

you are amazing ! thank you

[@fernandquill]

You're welcome, I'm glad it helped. Thank you 😊

[@DrCaderOffice]

Thank you this is what i was looking for !!

[@fernandquill]

You're most welcome!

[@mindfulnesswithmahara8239]

Thank you for answering my questions!! This is great- frustrating that an update seems so clunky compared to the original but it’s free…

[@fernandquill]

You're most welcome. Yes, so clunky isn't it! I'm sure it'll improve. Very grateful for a free option.

[@judymcwhirter3265]

Thank you....this explains it so well! I thought I was crazy because I was not seeing the same form as the videos....lol

[@fernandquill]

Glad you found my updated video Judy, I bet you were confused!

[@LadyLJCosmetics]

Thank you so much! I was so frustrated with this. I did not want to upgrade because of this. I’ve never used a program so user unfriendly. I know it’s free which is great but because I couldn’t use the fillable feature I did not want to upgrade. You video saved my document!

[@fernandquill]

Ooh I'm so glad! You're so very welcome 😊

[@beckybeyea5250]

Thank you for taking the time to put this tutorial together - much appreciated. Is there a way to customize the text size and style in the new version? I can't seem to find it.

[@fernandquill]

Hey Becky, thanks for your lovely comments. At the moment no, that feature seems to not be there. I did notice that the platform has sped up a lot since I recorded this video so I'm going to record a new version of this video with common questions like yours and possible solutions.

[@cadresolutions7580]

Very helpful! Thank you for the tutorial!

[@fernandquill]

Thank you so much, thanks for watching and I'm glad it was helpful 😊

[@judyburton9336]

Thank you for taking the time to explain this. I now need to watch it again. Like someone else said it's free but I liked the old version better. By the way is the old version still available to use?

[@fernandquill]

Hi Judy, I'm not aware of a way to revert back to the old version unfortunately. If I hear of a way I'll be sure to let you know. Fingers crossed the software gets better 🤞

[@B.Christine_W222]

Thank you so much for this video because I was frustrated! I created my document 10 times and it wouldn’t do right! You saved the day

[@fernandquill]

I'm glad you found it helpful 😊

[@LA-xx2wp]

This was helpful in finding something. Thank you! I am wondering what the max length is for. Is that the number of lines or characters? Should that line up with the number of lines in the box. I want the user to write and be able to see what he has written, but I'm fine if it is very long as some of the answers on my forms tend to be. What I tried before had any character length over a certain number (about 50 or 70) go into teeny, tiny writing (font 4) practically unreadable, and so the user could not read what was already written to continue with the other questions. (My forms require them to look at other answers and give different info, and so it is important they can read what they have written. Thanks for any help!

[@fernandquill]

Yes, I totally understand what you mean. So the max length represents how many individual characters the user can write. So even if you set it as multiline, they'll only be able to write up the character limit. What I'd do to avoid the text going smaller, would be to ensure you've got "Multiline" selected/ticked. That way if they write more than the space you've allocated then it will add a scroll option so they can scroll up and down to read their text. Hope that helps 😊

[@mdnuruzzaman3171]

thanks you for your good job.

[@fernandquill]

Glad you found it helpful

[@PrasadSawant-dd2fh]

Thank you for such a wonderful video. My question pertains to using of Pdfescape Desktop version. in the desktop version, how do i configure the export value for a checkbox or a radio button

[@fernandquill]

Hey, thanks for watching! Will regard to the export value, all of the properties you can edit are found in the spanner icon on the right hand size. To edit the values go to the 'File' tab (top menu) > select 'Edit' > click on the check box you want to edit > Click the spanner icon (brings up the properties menu) and then navigate through the 4 customisation options to find the option you're looking for. (I'm using the Ultimate version, I'm not sure which one you've got) Another thing is, once you've worked out your desired settings, I highly recommend setting them as default, that way you only have to format the first one. Biiig time saver! 😅 Hopefully that helps!

[@PrasadSawant-dd2fh]

@@fernandquill I have gone through the spanner icon and there I am not able to find the option to se the export value. I am also using PDFescape Ultimate version For example in the online version we use to get the following fields for a checkbox ( i have just put 2 fields for representation purpose) Name - Checkbox1 Export Value -- The export value field is not available in the PDF desktop ultimate version. Say I have 3 checkboxes with name as "Gender" In the 1st checkbox I will put the export value as "M" In the 2nd checkbox I will put the export value as "F" In the 3rd checkbox I will put the export value as "T" So from the code if I pass the value as "M" then the checkbox having the export value as "M" should get ticked. Same goes for other fields. Hope my query is clear

[@fernandquill]

I find it unusual that there's no option to set the export value on the desktop version, but there is on the online version. I don't have a solution for you unfortunately, that's a bit outside my expertise. Could it be something you can contact PDFescape about?

[@PrasadSawant-dd2fh]

@@fernandquill I did contact pdfescape support team but there response had been quite delayed and also they informed me to use the "Export" button in the Forms menu. My understanding of the Export button is that it will export the data from the form fields in a pdf file. Is there anyother use of the export button?

[@fernandquill]

@@PrasadSawant-dd2fh that's a bit beyond my knowledge unfortunately. I don't know enough about exporting the form fields yet.

[@lynngreen2047]

Thank you for the video. I’ve been stressed out with this version. How can I add a field box to add telephone numbers. It just seems to write over the number instead of separate numbers on

[@fernandquill]

It's glitchy isn't it? Hopefully it'll improve soon. With regard to the numbers - I'm not sure, that doesn't sound right. Perhaps try again in a different browser, or submit a bug report to PDFescape?

[@carolbianchi7852]

Thanks so much! I've been trying to make fillable pdf forms so that I can (more quickly) translate Italian documents for genealogy work. I created one in record time. :-) One question though, is it possible, using the online format, to control size or color of text? I've clicked on the Text button, but it doesn't do anything. thanks again for the timing!! Your teaching is easy to follow.

[@fernandquill]

I'm so glad you were able to create one quickly! Unfortunately, no you can't control the size or color of text on the online version. You can do this on the paid desktop plan though.

[@carolbianchi7852]

@@fernandquill understood. As quickly as the forms get made I need to get over being a control freak. 😂 only have two more to make, or I would pay for it. Sure was easy to use. Thank you again for your video.

[@MissGabyVidal]

Thank you so much! My big problem now is how to change the font, size etc of the text box I add... Can you help me with that? It was so easy and intuitive before, that I can´t understand why they changed tha page...

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome. Unfortunately it seems like a bug because the resizing feature is there, but not working. Hopefully they fix it soon 🤞

[@amyjoyhealth]

Thanks so much, very helpful! I need to have fillable fields AND hyperlinks in my PDF document. I created it in Canva, added the hyperlinks and tested them so I know they work.I downloaded it as a flattened file, so that my graphics cannot be removed. But when I add the fillable text in PDFescape, the hyperlinks disappear! Can you tell us a way to have both fillable field and hyperinks using non-Adobe programs? thanks.

[@fernandquill]

Hey Chez, absolutely! I've just uploaded a new video specially for you. You can do this using the same free software (PDFEscape) to add your form fields as well as hyperlinks. Here's the link to the video showing you how to add hyperlinks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGWmnXZ-otV3nJI Hope that's helpful 😊

[@kinjiiQ]

Can we change the color of the Text box. In the old version I was able to make them invisible to keep my form design? Great Video by the way!

[@fernandquill]

Unfortunately, no you can't change any of the colours of the box in this update. You can in the paid desktop version of PDF Escape though - if you need more customisation options. Also thank you, I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@TerryMcGuckin]

Hi - I am glad I stumbled on to your tutorial. I was able to create the form following your video. I am just wondering.....after I saved it to my computer and then open it ( goal is to be able to email it to end user to fill out)....it isn't allowing any fields to be filled out. AM I doing something wrong?

[@fernandquill]

Hey Terry, there's a few things I would check in this instance. If you click on your form fields and go into the settings (the spanner) that shows "Form Field Properties" - double check that 'Visible' is ticked, and 'Read-only' is unticked. If those are ok, then I'd check which app you're using to open the PDF. It may not be one permits forms to be filled, so just check a different app. Of the top of my head, those are the two most common reasons it wouldn't be working. But if they don't fix the issue then let me know and we can keep troubleshooting.

[@TerryMcGuckin]

@@fernandquill - Thank you so much for replying to my question ::)

[@DebbieGish-t9f]

Will you do a tutorial on how to use the submit button? I want the form to go to my email after people have completed it.

[@fernandquill]

I'd really love to but I don't understand it enough to be able to show others. I really would love to learn though! Leave it with me and I'll see what I can do.

[@TheBlessingRoom]

Thank you

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome 😊

[@ishratrahman5051]

Can you duplicate items/form fields like you used to in the older version?

[@fernandquill]

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's possible anymore.

[@poojithabn1276]

@michellemarks I created a pdf template through this but I see boarder of the fillable field exist even after published pdf,,, Is ther any way to remove that borader of the fillable fileds

[@fernandquill]

Unfortunately, no you can't change the look of the form fields. The only way to remove the border is to edit the form field and untick "Visible" but that will stop the form being fillable when exporting to PDF. Other paid versions of PDF editors will have that function, but not this one I'm afraid.

[@annaorenstein-cardona1108]

Thank you so much! The updates are not helpful at all, but your video saved me hours of frustration. So, thank you!

[@fernandquill]

I'm so glad it saved you! Yes, they definitely are frustrating!

[@jessicap594]

Hey Michelle! What would suggest for a 'journal prompting guide' thats downloable & i'd like it to be editable for anyone ?

[@fernandquill]

Hey Jessica! Thanks for reaching out 😃 In my experience, there's no format that will be for everyone. Some want to print, others want to annotate on their iPad, and some want to type on their computer. Others will look at your prompts on screen and write in their own journal. What I've found though, is to do the best you can to create something that works across the board - that's a PDF that you've designed with space to write, annotate or type. For printing and annotating, just the PDF is fine. But then you can add text fields (like shown in this video) for people who want to type on computer. In my opinion and experience, that's the best way to meet in the middle of all of your customers. Hope that helps and good luck!

[@CarieMercierLafond]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial. I have a question.Do you know how to make the sizes of the checkboxes bigger? I resized them to be bigger but when I tried to see how they look the check sign was too small almost invisible.

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Carie, thanks for asking. Unfortunately, I think that's one of the limitations to the free version of PDF Escape. There's no option to resize the actual check mark itself. If it's just one PDF you need to edit, perhaps use a trial version of Adobe Acrobat? Or if you have lots to do it might actually be worth having the subscription as the tools are SO good! Hopefully you find a solution either way, good luck!

[@ayeshiirana9748]

Can we also tick or write on mobile??

[@fernandquill]

In short, yes whoever is reading the PDF will be able to write and tick on a mobile or tablet - but it depends on which app they're using to open it. Most PDF readers support the interactivity while others don't.

[@ayeshiirana9748]

@@fernandquill Thank you soo much really helpful video

[@farrah2465]

Hi Michelle, just wondering if i was to make a form field box are we able to make one where the border doesn't show ? i tried clicking the visible button but when i attempted to fill it out on adobe reader the text box disappeared ? thanks ! your video helped alot

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Farrah, thanks for reaching out, I'm glad you found the tutorial helpful. Unfortunately, you can't change any of the formatting on the free online version, however you can on the paid desktop version. But, even so, some PDF readers will overlook the formatting and show their standard blue anyway.

[@cherileeslade-mills7090]

I have my fillable form created, now I need the submit button so the form comes to me when customer fills it out. Do you have a video of the “submit” button?

[@fernandquill]

Not yet Cheri, but it's on my list!

[@andrc2681]

This new version doesn’t have a copy paste of the box? because is hard maching every case. Thanks!

[@fernandquill]

Unfortunately no we can't copy and paste, or duplicate with this new version - which is very unfortunate because it was an essential feature! Fingers crossed they'll bring it back.

[@desertratPS]

Michelle, Thanks very much for this clear tutorial. I did run up against one issues, and that is with multi-line text. When I open the box for that option, it will only allow me to set up to 100 characters, but nothing more than that. 100 characters isn't nearly enough for what I need. Is there some hidden way to make it more than 100? Thanks again very much.

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Tom, I apologise for not replying sooner. I've been away from my computer (relocating interstate). But I just popped into PDFEscape to see how we can fix this issue. If you set the length to 100 characters that's the max, however if you leave it set to 0 then you can type more than 100 characters. I've just tested it, so give it a go and see if it works for you. I've got my fingers crossed 🤞

[@cafekoos9524]

Hi, Is it possible to change the font and the size of the text boxes?

[@fernandquill]

The function for changing the font is there, but it doesn't seem to work (bug I think). You can change the size of the text box, or click and drag to the size you want when creating the text box.

[@MayaCharyeva]

Thank you so much and you're so cute 🤗

[@fernandquill]

Aw thanks! You're welcome

[@SuperDee53]

Hi Michelle thankyou so much for this. Ive always used PDFescape but this is beyond me, Ive spent 3 whole days trying to make form fillable ASAP :( Ive created the check box but when I go to view nothing happens? Also when after selecting 'Text' another box appears over the orange one Ive already created??...please help...😢

[@fernandquill]

Oh Bonnie that doesn't sound right. There have been a few bug reports, I wonder if that's happening to you too. Perhaps try again in a different browser? Chrome or Firefox would be good. I usually use Opera, but the new PDFescape is too glitchy in Opera.

[@SuperDee53]

@@fernandquill Thanks Michelle I just don't know, even when I sign in there are two different layouts one with a large toolbar and one with what you have shown here. Im using chrome but I might try microsoft. Support haven;t replied neither I'll keep you updated x

[@fernandquill]

@@SuperDee53 yes please do, keen to hear if you reach a solution. Good luck!

[@dmprabhudesai]

How to edit / correct previously filled form which was created with PDF Escape

[@fernandquill]

First, login to PDFEscape and see if the editable file is still there (if you edited it originally). If not, see if you can upload it back into PDFEscape and see if it detects the existing form fields.

[@chromewarrior555]

Please tell me how I can get the old version back. The delay on the new one is killing me.

[@fernandquill]

I know what you mean, it's painful. I ended up subscribing to the desktop version. It's excellent! Sorry, I don't know if there is a way to revert back

[@DragonRiderSCS1]

Hi Michelle, I'm having issues with the text field. When I try to add one for text it just makes a black border, I noticed when you clicked where you wanted it the text field turned yellow, but mine doesn't change at all an doesn't save as a fillable, it just saves the border of the box. Please help if you can!

[@fernandquill]

Hiya SSaeidi, sorry you're having some trouble. I've got a few suggestions; first check that you're inserting a "Form Field" rather than just "Text". So on the left handside menu on the "Insert" tab you'll see "Text", "Whiteout", "Image", "Freehand", "Link" and "Form Field" - make sure you're inserting "Form Field". If you're inserting the correct one and it's still not working, perhaps try in a different browser. I usually use Opera, but I find the new PDFescape to be very glitchy with that browser, so I have to use Chrome browser when using the app. I'd be inclined to check those two first. Forgive me if you've already tried those things. Let me know how you go.

[@DragonRiderSCS1]

@@fernandquill So sorry for the late reply! Thank you so much for you response, I am using the form field > text option, and i even tried it in another browser which made it come up yellow, but when i download the file its still not fillable : c Im not sure why its not working for me still

[@fernandquill]

@@DragonRiderSCS1 I wonder if the visibility is switched off? Maybe check the form field settings and ensure "Visible" is checked?

[@DragonRiderSCS1]

@@fernandquill Where do i find the 'visible' option ?

[@fernandquill]

When you're in your document, click the 'Edit' button (top) then select the form field you want to check, then click the spanner icon (top left next to the trash can icon). That will bring up the Form Field Properties, and you should be able to see the 'Visible' check box. It should automatically be ticked, but you never know.

[@B.Christine_W222]

My pdf escape does not even have words next to the icons at the top

[@fernandquill]

Are you using it on a laptop by chance? The words disappear when I've got it open on my laptop screen which is smaller than my desktop screen. Hopefully you can still tell which menu item is which by the icons.

[@chriscreationsgta]

Thank you for the video. However I'm currently having an issue where when I save the PDF and re-open it and attempt to type in the newly created box, it is not typing what I input. If I type 123, the PDF will read NOP. And it is basically doing that for every key on the keyboard, any advice on what may be wrong?

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Chris, you've got me stumped there! I have no suggestions on how to fix that. Could you reach out to PDFescape with a bug report?

[@B.Christine_W222]

My font is so large despite me changing the size before saving

[@fernandquill]

You're not the only one having problems with the text unfortunately. The font editing seems to be buggy in the update so hopefully they will address that soon.

[@arsal_play]

How can we change the font and color of the text in the form? I've added the fields in the form but i can't change the font,size or color of the text. Can you help? No doubt, nee update is just a piece of s***

[@fernandquill]

It seems as though there's a glitch in that feature. While the settings are there, it doesn't change the text yet. Let's hope that gets fixed soon 🤞

[@arsal_play]

@@fernandquill That's what i was thinking 😂 There's no such option available. I mean option is available but it doesn't work at all

[@arsal_play]

@@fernandquill Another thing, Before this update, There was an option to select the text field in form and choose signature as font to add your signature. Which is not available now. What do you think?

[@fernandquill]

@@arsal_play Yes, that's frustrating. I'm not sure of a workaround until they fix the feature. But if you need some proper signatures (like for contracts or something) then you can upload them to DocuSign. I think you get 3 free signatures. Hopefully that helps.

[@arsal_play]

@@fernandquill Actually i need a letter to be signed by hundred of customers before they come of office. It is not easy for all of them to upload the letter to DocuSign first and sign it. Right? I created such fillable pdf from this website before. But letter needed some updates and i wasn't sure that I'll no longer be able to use the same features again :(

[@NO_MEAN_V8]

Its not free...pro version required for making forms

[@fernandquill]

I've just checked and form creation is still available on the free version.