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Using pencil to fill out PDF forms

I know I can use my pencil to make marks on PDFs on my pad but can I use it to fill out PDF forms with radio buttons and scribble to text?

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi

Posted on Jul 22, 2021 2:05 PM

Reply
5 replies

Jul 23, 2021 2:15 PM in response to Jeremy Dunham

Hey there Jeremy,


Let's see how we can assist with answering your question regarding filling out PDFs.


While you may need to reach out to the provider of the PDF in question, we'd like to first understand what it is you're asking, along with ruling out some basics:

  1. You mentioned having no issues with filling out PDFs with your Apple Pencil, but what occurs when you fill one out with what you mentioned as 'radio buttons and scribble to text'? The more details you provide, the better equipped we'll be to assist.
  2. Have you been able to fill out the same style PDFs in the past with your pencil? If yes, when did this first start?
  3. We see you're using an iPad Pro, and the latest version would be iPadOS 14.7. You can verify which version is currently installed within Settings > General > About. Just in case, here's a link that'll show how to first back up, then Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.


We look forward to hearing more about the details above, and take care until then!

Jul 25, 2021 12:22 PM in response to Jeremy Dunham

Hello Jeremy,


While you may need to reach out to Apple Support for further help with this, we'd like to continue ruling out what we can here:


  1. As it was unclear, did the same issue occur after updating to iPadOS 14.7?
  2. Have you reached out to the website support from where you downloaded this PDF, and if yes, what steps did they have you try? Please keep in mind that not being able to use/perform certain actions on PDFs may be a limitation imposed by the creator of the PDF itself.
  3. If you open an app, like Pages, are you able to use the Scribble feature to turn your handwriting to text? Here's a link that may help with guiding you: Draw, annotate, and use Scribble in Pages


Have a good one!

Jul 24, 2021 11:20 AM in response to bruno75

To clarify my question…

1) when I download a form from a web sight and save it as a PDF, so to fill out later (or multiple different times) I know my Apple Pencil will allow me to mark it up with notes, circles, etc…

A “radio button” is a part of a form that if I were on my computer I could mouse over it, tap it, and it would fill it’s self in. If there are several such buttons in a given filled it would toggle between them.

2) I have never been able to do this with my pad and pencil.

3) Scribble as in handwriting recognition software on the iOS… so if I were to write my name it would transpose it to type…

Using pencil to fill out PDF forms

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