Stop Printing and Scanning: Fill Forms Digitally in Seconds

The "Print, Sign, Scan"loop is dead. Learn how to type directly onto non-interactive PDF forms using the LanaPDF text tool to save paper and time.

When the form is ready, the next step is usually signing it with a simple electronic signature. If the packet includes multiple attachments, combine everything first with Merge PDF so you only send one final document.

Slate PDF processes "flat"PDF forms every month - doctors' intake forms, school permission slips, and insurance documents. These aren't fancy, fillable digital forms; they are just digital pieces of paper.

The Old Way

Usually, you would have to print the document, find a pen, fill it out by hand, and then wrestle with a scanner or use a phone app to get it back onto your computer. It is a waste of paper, ink, and time.

The LanaPDF Way

With LanaPDF, you can treat these flat files like a canvas. Select the text tool, click anywhere on the line you need to fill, and start typing. You can adjust the font size to fit the line height perfectly. Need to sign? LanaPDF adds a simple electronic signature (SES): draw it with your mouse, trackpad, or finger, type it, or drop in a picture of your signature and resize it. An SES is the everyday tier of electronic signature and covers most intake forms, permission slips, and internal approvals. It is not an advanced (AES) or qualified (QES) certificate-backed signature.

For forms with no fields to click into, see filling in a PDF that is not fillable. For forms that do have fields, see how to fill out a PDF form, and to add fields to a form yourself, how to make a PDF fillable.