To create a fillable PDF form in Word, first confirm that the content is suitable for the form structure. 1. Insert controls: Enable the "Development Tools" tab, enter the "Design Mode" to insert text boxes, check boxes and other controls and set properties; 2. Adjust the format: Use form alignment, leave control spaces, and unify the font size to ensure the stable layout after export; 3. Export as PDF: When "Save As PDF", check the "Create PDF with form enabled" option to retain the fillable function, and finally use a PDF reader that supports filling to view the effect.

After opening a Word document, first confirm that your content is suitable for filling out forms, such as personal information forms and application forms, such as structured information that requires users to manually enter content. Next is the process of inserting controls, adjusting properties, and exporting them to PDF.

Insert fillable content controls

Word comes with a "Development Tools" tab, which can be used to add text boxes, check boxes, drop-down lists and other controls. If you don't see this tab, you can check "Development Tools" in "File > Options > Custom Ribbon". Then you can insert the controls in the appropriate position in the document:

• Click the "Development Tools" → "Design Mode" button (you can edit the control by entering the design mode)
• Select the corresponding item in the Control group, such as "Text Content Control" or "Checkbox Content Control"
• Click the location where you want to insert the control in the document
• Right-click the control → "Properties" to set the default text, maximum length, read-only, etc.

Note: These controls are just placeholders in Word and will become fillable areas in PDF when used.

Set the document format to avoid export errors

When making forms in Word, pay special attention to formatting, otherwise the control position may be confusing and overlapping text may occur after exporting to PDF. suggestion:

• Use tables to align content, so that the structure is clear and not easy to go off
• Leave some space around the control, do not stick to other texts
• Try to be uniform in font size to avoid using too small fonts to affect reading

Especially if you plan to let someone fill it in online, clear and easy to read is more important than anything else.

Export as fillable PDF

Word supports saving as PDF directly, but the controls you inserted will not be retained by default. So here is a key action: you need to make sure that the option "Create form-enabled PDF" is checked when exporting (slightly different versions) is selected. The general steps are as follows:

1. Click "File" → "Save As"
2. Select the save type as PDF
3. Find buttons like "Options" or "More Options" in the options
4. Check "Export Word Form Controls as PDF Form Fields"
5. Confirm Save

Once completed, open it with Adobe Acrobat or other PDF reader that supports filling function and you will see the fillable area.

Basically that's it. The whole process is not complicated, but some details are easy to ignore, such as export settings and control attribute adjustments. Just follow the steps and you can basically do it in one go.

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