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Create a Text Field in a PDF

Nitro PDF Pro for Windows

A text field lets users enter text or numbers. You can configure text fields to control input, apply formatting, validate data, and perform calculations.


Add a text field

    1. Open the PDF in Nitro PDF Pro
    2. On the Forms tab, in the Form Fields group, click Text Field
    3. Drag the pointer on the page to create the field
    4. Open the field properties:
      1. Double-click the field
      2. Or right-click the field and select Properties
    5. Set the field name and appearance. Use one of these options:
      1. The Properties context tab
      2. The Properties dialog
    6. Open the Options tab:
      1. From the context tab, click Properties > Options
      2. From the dialog, click Options


        Configure text field options

          • Alignment: Select left, center, or right alignment

          • Default Value: Enter default text if required

          • Use Field For: Select one option:

            • Standard input
            • Password
            • File selection
          • Multi-line: Select to allow multiple lines 

          • Scroll long text: Select to enable scrolling 

          • Limit of characters: Enter the maximum number of characters 

          • Comb of Characters: Select to create a comb field 

        Clear all other options before using this setting


        Configure additional settings

          • Format:
            Select a format (for example, date or custom format)
          • Validate:
            • Select Use custom validation script
            • Enter JavaScript to validate the data
          • Calculate:
            Select a calculation option if required

          Edit a text field

            1. Open the PDF in Nitro PDF Pro
            2. On the Forms tab, in the Form Fields group, do one of the following:
              1. Click the field type
              2. Click Select Fields
            3. Double-click the field to edit its properties

          Forms preferences

          Forms preferences control how you work with PDF forms.

            • Automatically calculate field values:
              Enable or disable automatic calculation.
              Disable this option to improve performance for complex forms.
            • Highlight form fields:
              Highlight all form fields when you open a form.
              You can also set a different color for required fields.
            • Double-click form field opens:
              Choose how to open field properties:
              • Properties context tab
              • Properties dialog