How to Add Dropdown Lists in a PDF

How to Add Interactive Drop-Down Lists in PDF: Step by Step

With PDFgear online fillable PDF maker, you can instantly insert interactive drop-down lists and combo boxes into any PDF file, right within a web browser.

Its extensive customization features help predefine the dropdown list items from scratch or add/delete/reorder existing items.

The best part of it is that it’s free to use, there’s no sign-up and no watermark.

Video Tutorial

Step 1. Go to PDFgear online fillable PDF maker and click Select PDF File to open the PDF you need.

Step 2.  On the upper-left menubar, you’ll find a variety of fillable form fields, click Drop Down within.

Step 3. Click on a PDF page to insert the dropdown there. Then you can drag and drop the inserted dropdown to reposition it, or drag on its handle to resize it.

Step 4. For adding, deleting, changing, or reordering the list items, double-click on the dropdown box. In the pop-up Drop Down Properties window, go to the OPTIONS section.

Step 5. Type a preferred item name for your first list item, and click ADD to add it to the dropdown list, which defines the public name (visible label) in the output PDF file.

For an unnecessary list item, select it below and click DELETE to remove it from the list.

Repeat the steps until you have all the necessary items.

Step 6. To reorder the dropdown list, select a list item in Dropdown Item List and click UP or Down to move its position accordingly.

Step 7. When you’re done editing list items, click the lower-right OK button to save changes.

Step 8. Lastly, click the Download file button in the upper-right corner to save a fillable copy of your PDF with a dropdown list.

Step 9. That’s how the dropdown list will look like when you send the PDF to other people!

Create a Drop-Down List in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat Pro also allows you to insert dropdown lists in PDF, and it delivers more advanced controls.

Compared with PDFgear, Adobe Acrobat offers many other features like calculation, spelling checks, and automatic data collection.

Unfortunately, the free version, Adobe Acrobat Reader, does not support this functionality, it is only available in the paid Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Step 1. Download and install Adobe Acrobat. Fire up Adobe Acrobat Pro, click Tools, and go to the Prepare Form feature.

You have the option to open a file from your device or scanner, or you can choose to create a new one.

Step 2. Click on the “Drop Down” button, and click on the PDF to place the box in the location you like. Then click “All Properties”.

Step 3. To add and change the listed items,  go to “Options” and type a name in Item, then click Add to add it to the list. Repeat the steps to add all the items you need.

Step 4. Go to “Appearance” > Set the borders and colors of the drop-down > Customize the font size, color, and type for the listed items.

Furthermore, you have the flexibility to configure the position, action, format, and various other features within the Dropdown Properties.

Step 5. Click “Preview” to see the final effect of the drop-down box.

Step 6. Lastly, go to the File menu at the top left of the screen and click Save to save the PDF.

FAQs

What is a dropdown list in a PDF?

A dropdown list in a PDF is a form field that allows users to select an option from a pre-defined list of choices. It is commonly used in interactive forms, surveys, and applications where users are required to choose from a set of options.

Can I customize the appearance of a dropdown list in a PDF?

Yes, when using PDFgear online fillable PDF maker, double click on an inserted or existing dropdown in a PDF, go to Appearance in the Dropdown Properties window, and you can customize its alignment, font family, font size, fill color, border color, thickness, etc.

How can I make a dropdown list required in a PDF form?

Yes, when using PDFgear online fillable PDF maker, double click on an inserted or existing dropdown in a PDF, go to General in the Dropdown Properties window, and tick on the Required option.

Can I create a PDF with dropdown lists on mobile?

Yes, PDFgear online fillable PDF maker also works on mobile devices like iPhone and Android. However, given the limitation of the screen sizes on mobile devices, the preciseness of controls and interactions may inevitably fall short.

Can I edit existing dropdown lists in a PDF?

Yes, PDFgear also allows you to edit items and item orders in existing dropdown lists in a PDF, as long as the dropdown is a fillable form field.

What’s the difference between a dropdown list and a combo box in a PDF form?

In a dropdown List, users can only select from the pre-defined options. It’s like having a menu that only lets you pick one dish; In a combo box, users can either select from the list or type their own entry. It’s a little more flexible—like choosing a dish from the menu or adding your own special request.