How to Convert a Word Document to a Fillable PDF

Quick Answer

You cannot convert a Word document directly into a fillable PDF in one step. Word's "Save as PDF" exports a flat, static file -- all form fields and content controls lose their interactivity. The actual workflow is a two-step process: first export the Word file to PDF, then add fillable form fields using a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat, a free tool like PDFgear, or an AI-powered converter like AutoFillPDF.

Below are four proven methods, ranked by reliability and ease of use.

Why "Save as PDF" Does Not Preserve Form Fields

This is the single most common mistake people make. Microsoft Word has a Developer tab where you can insert content controls -- text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns, and date pickers. These work well inside Word. But the moment you click File > Save As > PDF, those interactive elements are flattened into static shapes and text.

The PDF format and Word's content controls use entirely different form field specifications. Word does not translate its content controls into PDF form field objects (AcroForm fields) during export. The result is a visually identical document that looks like a form but cannot be filled out digitally.

This means every method below follows the same core pattern:

1. Export the Word document to PDF (File > Save As > PDF)
2. Add fillable form fields using a separate tool

Method 1: Adobe Acrobat Pro (Most Reliable)

Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry standard for this task. Its "Prepare Form" feature can auto-detect where fields should go based on the document layout.

Step-by-Step

1. Open your Word document in Microsoft Word
2. Click File > Save As and select PDF as the format
3. Open the saved PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
4. Go to Tools > Prepare Form
5. Acrobat scans the document and auto-detects text fields, checkboxes, and other form areas
6. Review the detected fields -- rename them, adjust sizes, and correct any misidentified areas
7. Add any fields that Acrobat missed using the toolbar (Text Field, Check Box, Dropdown, etc.)
8. Set field properties: validation rules, default values, required/optional status
9. Click Save to export the fillable PDF

What Acrobat Detects Automatically

Acrobat looks for visual cues in the document:

• Underlines and blank lines become text fields
• Square boxes near labels become checkboxes
• Tables with empty cells become text field grids
• "Date:" labels can trigger date field suggestions

Auto-detection works best on cleanly formatted documents. Forms with inconsistent spacing or unusual layouts may need more manual correction.

Cost and Limitations

• Price: $19.99/month (Acrobat Pro subscription)
• Pros: Highest compatibility, best auto-detection, full control over field properties, JavaScript support for calculated fields
• Cons: Expensive for occasional use, steeper learning curve than simpler tools

Method 2: Free Tools (No Subscription Required)

If you do not want to pay for Acrobat, several free tools can add form fields to your PDF.

PDFgear (Desktop, Free)

PDFgear is a full-featured desktop PDF editor with form creation tools.

1. Save your Word document as a PDF
2. Open the PDF in PDFgear
3. Click the Form tab in the toolbar
4. Select a field type (Text Field, Check Box, Radio Button, Combo Box, List Box)
5. Click and drag on the document to place each field
6. Double-click a field to set its properties (name, font, validation)
7. Save the completed fillable PDF

PDFgear does not auto-detect fields, so you place every field manually. This is slower but gives you precise control.

LibreOffice Draw (Desktop, Free and Open-Source)

1. Save your Word document as a PDF
2. Open LibreOffice Draw and import the PDF
3. Go to View > Toolbars > Form Controls
4. Use the form control toolbar to add text fields, checkboxes, and buttons
5. Right-click each control to set properties
6. Export as PDF with Create PDF Form checked in export options

LibreOffice gives you full control but has a less polished interface. Form compatibility can vary across PDF readers.

PDFescape (Online, Free Tier)

1. Save your Word document as a PDF
2. Go to pdfescape.com and upload the PDF
3. Switch to Insert mode and select form field tools
4. Place and configure fields on the document
5. Download the fillable PDF

PDFescape's free tier limits you to documents under 100 pages and 10 MB. No account is needed for basic use.

Google Docs Workaround

Google Docs cannot create fillable PDF form fields. You can open a Word file in Google Docs and export as PDF, but the result is still a static PDF. You will still need a PDF editor to add form fields.

Method 3: AI-Powered Conversion (Fastest)

If you have a Word document that already looks like a form -- with labels, blank lines, checkboxes -- an AI-powered tool can detect those patterns and add the correct field types automatically.

AutoFillPDF uses AI field detection to analyze your document and place form fields where they belong. Instead of manually drawing each text box or checkbox, you upload the PDF and the AI handles the placement.

1. Save your Word document as a PDF
2. Upload the PDF to AutoFillPDF
3. The AI scans the document and identifies field locations and types
4. Review the detected fields and make adjustments as needed
5. Download the completed fillable PDF

This approach works particularly well for standard forms like applications, intake forms, and registration documents where the layout follows predictable patterns.

Method 4: Using Word's Developer Tab (Partial Solution)

Word's Developer tab lets you build forms with content controls that work within Word itself. This is useful if your recipients will fill out the form in Word rather than as a PDF.

How to Enable the Developer Tab

1. Open Word and go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon
2. Check the Developer checkbox in the right column
3. Click OK

Adding Content Controls

1. Place your cursor where you want a field
2. On the Developer tab, click the control type:
   • Rich Text Content Control for formatted text input
   • Plain Text Content Control for single-line text
   • Check Box Content Control for yes/no options
   • Combo Box Content Control for dropdowns
   • Date Picker Content Control for date fields
3. Click Properties to set the control name, placeholder text, and formatting

The Catch

These controls work in Word (DOCX) but not in PDF. If you save this document as PDF, the controls become static. This method is only viable if:

• You distribute the form as a DOCX file, not a PDF
• You restrict editing so recipients can only fill in the control areas (Developer > Restrict Editing)

If you must distribute as PDF, you still need one of the methods above to add PDF-native form fields after export.

Comparison of Methods

Tips for a Clean Conversion

Before exporting from Word:

• Use consistent formatting for labels and blank fields
• Align form elements using tables rather than tabs or spaces
• Use underlines or box borders to indicate where fields should go
• Keep the layout simple -- single-column forms convert more reliably than multi-column layouts

After adding form fields:

• Test the fillable PDF in multiple readers (Adobe Reader, browser PDF viewers, Preview on Mac)
• Verify tab order so users can move between fields logically
• Set required fields to prevent incomplete submissions
• Check that dropdown options are correct and complete

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert a Word document to fillable PDF on Mac?

Yes. The process is the same: save as PDF from Word, then use a PDF editor. Adobe Acrobat Pro works on Mac. For free options, LibreOffice Draw and PDFgear both have Mac versions. Preview (built into macOS) cannot add fillable form fields.

What if my Word document has tables?

Tables convert well to PDF. Adobe Acrobat's auto-detection is particularly good at recognizing table cells as form fields. Free tools require manual field placement in each cell, but the table structure provides clear visual guides for alignment.

Is there a way to batch convert multiple Word forms?

Adobe Acrobat Pro supports batch processing through its Action Wizard. You can create an action that opens a PDF and runs Prepare Form on it, then apply that action to a folder of files. Free tools generally do not support batch processing.

Related Guides

• Make Any PDF Fillable -- general guide to creating fillable PDFs from any source
• Make a PDF Form Fillable for Free -- free methods for adding form fields
• Convert a Static PDF to Fillable with AI -- AI-powered approach to field detection