Create Text Form Fields

Name
1. Using the Type Tool , click and drag a text box
into each of the gray fields to the right.

Hometown
2. Using the Selection Tool , select the first text
box and open the Buttons and Forms panel to the
right.
State
3. For Type, choose Text Field. Now, name the field the
word that is written above it.

Country
4. In the Buttons and Forms panel, find PDF Options.
Change the font size to 30.

Biography
5. Repeat the steps above for each of the other gray
fields in this document.

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 1

Create Radio Buttons

1. Using the Rectangle Frame Tool , click and drag

a frame into each of the gray fields to the right.
Tiger

2. Using the Selection Tool , select all four of the

frames you just created.
Shark

3. Find the Buttons and Forms panel. For Type, choose

Radio Buttons. For name, use “Radio Buttons”
Eagle

4. It is important that all of the buttons are given the

same name. This ensures that only one choice can be
made at a time. Bear

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 2

Create Check Boxes

1. Using the Rectangle Frame Tool , click and drag

a frame into each of the gray fields to the right.
Tornado

2. Using the Selection Tool , select the first frame

you created and open the Buttons and Forms panel.
For Type, choose Check Box. Give the check box the Hurricane
name that appears to the right of it.

3. Repeat the last step for each of the other check

boxes using the unique name located to the right of
the box. Earthquake

4. Unlike radio buttons, check boxes should be given

different names so that a user can select more than
one option when the form is created. Blizzard

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 3

Create a Combo Box

1. Using the Rectangle Frame Tool , click and drag

a frame into the gray field to the right.

Compassion
Awarness
Determination
Honesty
Integrity
2. Using the Selection Tool , select the frame you
just created and open the Buttons and Forms panel.

3. For Type, choose Combo Box. Now, give the box the
name “Combo”.

4. In the Buttons and Forms panel, find the List Items

section under PDF Options.

5. Create a list using the 5 words to the right by typing

in each one and then clicking the plus sign icon .
When the 5 words have been added, check the Sort
Items option. Also, change the font size to 40.

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 4

Create a List Box

1. Using the Rectangle Frame Tool , click and drag

a frame into the gray field to the right. Red
Orange
2. Using the Selection Tool , select the frame you
just created and open the Buttons and Forms panel.

3. For Type, choose List Box. Now, give the box the
Blue
Green
Yellow
name “Color List”.

4. In the Buttons and Forms panel, find the List Items

section under PDF Options.

5. Create a list using the 5 words to the right by typing

in each one and then clicking the plus sign icon .
When the 5 words have been added, check the Sort
Items option. Also, change the font size to 40.

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 5

Create a Signature Field

1. Using the Type Tool , click and drag a text box

into the gray field to the right.

2. Using the Selection Tool , select the text box

you just created and open the Buttons and Forms Please Sign Me!
panel.

3. For Type, choose Signature Field. Now, give the box

the name “Signature”.

4. Under PDF Options, give it a description: “Please

provide a signature”.

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 6

Create a Button to Submit the Form

1. Using the Rectangle Tool , click and drag a box

into the gray field to the right. Make it any color. submit
2. Using the Selection Tool , select the box you just
created and open the Buttons and Forms panel.

3. For Type, choose Button. Now, give the button the

name “Submit”.

4. Click the plus sign where it says Actions to add a

new action. Choose Submit Form.

5. In the URL field, enter mailto:youremail@email.com

Use your own email address and so the completed
form can be sent to you.

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 7

Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about creating Interactive PDFs
using Adobe InDesign CS6, please visit the links below.

1. Creating PDF Forms with InDesign CS6

Terry White – Adobe TV

2. InDesign Help: What’s New in CS6

Adobe Help Page

3. InDesign Help: Reviewing the new Forms tools

Anne-Marie Concepcion – lynda.com

4. InDesign Help: Creating and previewing a basic form

Anne-Marie Concepcion – lynda.com

Creating an Interactive PDF in InDesign 9