FileGizmo glossary
PDF form
A PDF form is a PDF that contains interactive fields, such as text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, and dropdowns, that a reader can fill in directly. The common technical name is an AcroForm. A flat, scanned PDF has no such fields, so it needs text placed on top instead.
Why the distinction matters
Two PDFs can look identical and behave completely differently. One was built with interactive fields, so you click and type straight into it. The other is a scan or a flat export, so clicking does nothing and you have to lay text on top by hand. Knowing which one you have decides how you fill it.
Real forms, called AcroForms, are the easy case. They remember your entries as data, keep the layout tidy, and can be flattened into a final copy. Flat PDFs are the common case for anything that was printed and scanned, and they need an editor that lets you position text freely.
How to fill either kind
- For a PDF with real fields, open the PDF form filler, type your answers, and choose to flatten or keep them editable.
- For a flat or scanned PDF, use the PDF editor to place text and checkmarks exactly where they belong.
- Export the finished file and check it before sending.
Both run in your browser, so a form holding personal details is never uploaded to be filled.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my PDF is a real form?
Open it and try clicking where you expect to type. If a cursor appears in a box or a checkbox toggles, it has interactive fields. If nothing happens, it is a flat PDF and you need to add text on top of it instead.
What is the difference between filling and flattening a form?
Filling enters your answers into the interactive fields. Flattening then bakes those answers into the page so they can no longer be edited, which is useful before sending a final copy.
Can I fill a scanned form that has no fields?
Yes. A scan has no interactive fields, so instead you place text boxes over the blank lines. FileGizmo's editor does this, and it works on a phone as well as a computer.