Advanced Topic: Working with PDF Forms

Creating PDF Forms: Adobe Acrobat vs. Adobe LiveCycle Designer

"Fillable" PDF forms can be created using the forms tools availabe in Acrobat Professional or by using Adobe LiveCycle Designer, which comes bundled with Adobe Acrobat Professional (version 7 or higher).  The current version of LiveCycle Designer (v8.2 ES, which comes with Adobe Acrobat Pro 8 or later) is recommended at this time due to the improved accessibility tools.  LiveCycle Designer does have better controls for accessibility, but either method will allow you to create an accessible PDF form.

If you are interested in comparing the two methods, see the Adobe LiveCycle ES accessibility overview at https://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/livecycle/overview.html.

LiveCycle Designer does NOT offer direct control of tags.  Forms created with LiveCycle Designer cannot be edited using Adobe Acrobat.

NOTE: LiveCycle Designer is currently only available for the Windows platform.

Video Tutorial - Creating Accessible PDF Forms (2:50)

Credits

  • This training has been funded in part by the EnACT (Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology) grant. 
  • Written and developed by Sacramento State Online Learning professionals, Monica Range and Cryssel Vera and technical crew, Ivan Vajar, Ken Young, and Jennifer Wicks with guidance from the CSU Professional Development Work Group.

Support

If you have difficulty accessing any material on this site or need an alternate format, or you just have questions and want to give feedback, contact the Accessible Technology Initiative.

Copyright, 2009, All Right Reserved