Add and remove fields on a PDF

Whether you’re creating a document template for the first time, or using the PDF editor within an Anvil Workflow, the process of adding and removing PDF fields is the same.

• Add fields to a PDF
• Fill PDF fields
• Remove fields from a PDF

Add fields to a PDF

When you upload a fillable PDF to a new document template or Workflow, Anvil will automatically detect and create PDF fields for you. However, in the case that Anvil isn’t able to detect any fields, or you want to create additional fields, you can follow the steps below to draw additional fields.

To add a field to your PDF:

1. Navigate to your document template or your Workflow editor
2. Move your cursor to the location where you’d like to add a new field
3. Click + hold with your mouse or trackpad
4. Drag your cursor across the screen until you’ve created a field that is your desired size
5. Release your mouse or trackpad

Additional resources

• Use keyboard shortcuts and the multi select tool to quickly duplicate PDF fields.
• Resize your fields easily:
  1. Select your field
  2. Click + hold any of the black squares along the perimeter of the field
  3. Drag until your field is the correct size
  4. Release your mouse or trackpad
• Set your PDF field type and learn more about the different field types we support.

Fill PDF fields

After you’ve added your fields, you can choose how you want to fill your PDF. You can either choose to fill your documents programmatically over API or without any code using our user interface. Both methods include several different filling options, which we’ll discuss below.

Filling your PDF programmatically

Fill your documents over API with our PDF Fill, Etch e-sign, or Workflows APIs.

• PDF Fill: This option is great if you just want to fill out your document template with existing data.
  • Watch a quick tutorial on how to fill a PDF over API with Postman.
  • Learn all about how to automate PDF filling by watching our PDF services Webinar.
• Etch e-sign: Standalone Etch e-signature packets allow you to fill in documents with existing data and collect signatures.
• Workflows: Fill in documents with information you already have as well as collect new information from your users.

Fill your PDF with our no-code user interface

If you choose to go the no-code route, you can either fill your PDFs with a standalone Etch e-signature packet or an Anvil Workflow.

• Etch e-signature packet: Fill documents with information before sending them out for signature.

  PDF fields on standalone Etch packets can be filled with literal values.

• Anvil Workflows: Fill your documents with information you already have, or with newly collected information. Anvil Workflows support several PDF fill options.

  • From a connected Webform field: Fill PDF fields with information that has been entered into a Webform field.
  • With a literal value: Fill a field with a static string. We recommend this option if a field will always be filled with the same information.
  • From an Expression:* Unlock more granularity by choosing to fill a PDF field with a JavaScript expression. This option is commonly used to execute calculations with information entered in Webform fields.
  • Do not fill this field: If you want to reset a fields' fill settings, selecting this option allows you to easily disconnect your PDF field. It preserves the PDF field, allowing you to reconnect it at any time.

* Please note that expressions are an enterprise feature. Please see our pricing page for more information.

Additional resources

• Watch our video tutorial to learn how to programmatically fill PDFs with Zapier instead of our PDF Fill API.
• Use conditional logic to dynamically determine when PDF fields should be filled out.

Remove fields from a PDF

Sometimes, you no longer need a field. Removing fields from your document is easy and you can also remove multiple fields at once to quickly clean up your PDF fields.

To remove a field from a PDF:

1. Navigate to your document template or your Workflow editor
2. Select the field you wish to remove
3. Click the x button at the top right corner of the field or hit the delete key on your keyboard

Notes:

• If you made a mistake, you can always restore your fields by clicking the Undo button above the PDF preview.
• To delete multiple fields at the same time, use the multi select tool to select all your fields before following steps 1-3 above. Be sure to use the delete keyboard shortcut instead of clicking the x button.