# Fill a PDF form without Adobe

> Fill a PDF form in your browser. Text, checkboxes, radios, dropdowns. Flatten so values stay put. No Adobe, no upload, no OCR of scans.

Real fields, on this computer

HR packets, school forms, and government PDFs that already have boxes to type in. Edit them here, flatten so nobody can tweak the values later, and download. Scans with no fields are not forms. We do not OCR. Nothing is uploaded.

Free. There is no paid tier. No account. They stay on your computer. Nothing is uploaded.

## When to use this

Use this when the PDF already has clickable fields: text boxes, checkboxes, radios, or dropdowns. Flatten is on by default so the values become page content, not a live form someone can edit later.

A photograph of a form is not a form. We do not OCR. If this page says there are no fields, stamp a name with [Sign a PDF](https://lovethispdf.com/sign-a-pdf.md) instead.

Stay on the generic [Fill PDF](https://lovethispdf.com/tools/fill-pdf.md) tool if you just want the shortest filler. Come here when you were about to install Adobe to complete one packet.

## How to do it

1. Drop one PDF that already has form fields. It is read in this tab.
2. Edit the list of fields. Empty files are called out instead of failing silently.
3. Leave flatten on unless you still need the fields editable.
4. Fill PDF and download. The original on disk is unchanged.

## Tips

- Flatten unless the recipient still needs to type in the same file.
- Password-protected PDFs still need unlocking on your computer first.
- XFA and LiveCycle forms often look empty here. Typical AcroForms work.

## Questions

### Why does this PDF have no fields?

It is probably a scan or a flattened file. Use Sign a PDF. This page does not OCR.

### Do I need Adobe Acrobat to fill a PDF here?

No. pdf-lib writes the values in this browser. There is no Adobe plugin.

### Does filling a form upload it?

No. Close the tab and the working files are gone.

## Related

- [Fill PDF](https://lovethispdf.com/tools/fill-pdf.md): The full tool page, same engine.
- [Sign a PDF](https://lovethispdf.com/sign-a-pdf.md): A visual name when there are no fields to fill.
- [Password-protect a PDF](https://lovethispdf.com/password-protect-pdf.md): Lock the filled copy if it should not open freely.