How to fill out a PDF form on a Mac
Open the PDF in PDF Unlimited or Preview and click into a field to type. Checkboxes and dropdowns work the same way. If the form has no fillable fields, add text boxes instead: in PDF Unlimited, switch to Annotate mode and click anywhere. Finish with a signature from Sign mode, then save.
With PDF Unlimited (free)
Open the form
Open the PDF in PDF Unlimited. You can stay in Read mode.
Click into the fields
Click a field and type. Tick checkboxes and choose from dropdowns the same way.
No fields? Use text boxes
If clicking does nothing, the form is flat. Switch to Annotate mode, choose the text box tool, and click where each answer should go.
Sign it
Switch to Sign mode, draw or type your signature, then click to place it on the signature line.
Save and check
Save the PDF, close it and open it again to confirm everything stuck before you send it.
With Preview, built into macOS
Click and type
Open the form in Preview, click a field and type.
Flat form fallback
If the PDF will not accept typing, click the Show Form Filling Toolbar button, then the Text Box Tool button, and click in the document to add a text box.
Use AutoFill
Preview can fill your name and contact details from your Contacts card. Click the AutoFill Form button above the PDF, or click a field and choose your name from the pop-up menu. Not every form supports this.
Fillable versus flat forms
A fillable form has real fields built in. Click one and a cursor appears. A flat form is just a picture of a form, often a scan or a PDF exported from Word without fields. Both can be completed on a Mac. The difference is only whether you type into a field or place a text box.
Tips for official forms
Government, tax, school and insurance forms tend to be fussy. Some habits help:
- Save a blank copy first so you can start over cleanly.
- Use capitals if the form asks for block letters.
- Check dates match the format printed on the form, like MM/DD/YYYY.
- Reopen the saved file before sending. Some forms run scripts that only certain apps support, and a field may look filled but not save.
- If an agency asks for a "wet" signature, print it and sign by hand. Otherwise sign on your Mac.
When a form refuses to save
Very occasionally a form is built with Adobe-specific technology (often called XFA) and shows a message asking you to open it in Adobe Reader. Most Mac PDF apps, including Preview and PDF Unlimited, cannot complete those. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free for that one job. For everything else, any app will do.
If a form is locked against changes, it may have an owner password. Ask the sender for a copy without restrictions.
Sending it back safely
Filled forms often hold your address, date of birth or ID numbers. Before emailing, consider adding a password and sharing it separately. If you are sending a copy to someone who should not see certain details, redact them properly instead of drawing a black box.
Questions
How do I fill out a PDF form on a Mac for free?
Open it in Preview or PDF Unlimited and click into the fields. If there are no fields, add text boxes. Both apps are free.
Why can I not type in a PDF form on my Mac?
The form is probably flat, with no fillable fields. Add text boxes instead. In Preview, use the Text Box Tool on the Form Filling toolbar. In PDF Unlimited, use the text box tool in Annotate mode.
How do I make a PDF fillable on a Mac?
Creating new form fields needs a form-authoring tool, which PDF Unlimited and Preview do not include. For filling in a flat form yourself, text boxes do the same job.
Why does the form say to open it in Adobe Reader?
It is an XFA form built for Adobe software. Install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete that form.
Can I save a filled PDF form and edit it later?
Yes. Field entries and text boxes stay editable after saving. Open the file again and click into the field or text box to change it.