PDF Examples

 Guidelines for Completing PDFs

  • If a PDF contains a simple table, complete it by inserting a table.

  • If you get a PDF job that consists of nothing but a simple blank form, either text or table format, with no information filled in, complete it as you would any job.

  • If you get a PDF that is a preprinted form with information added to it (either handwritten or typed), these forms should NOT be re-typed in their entirety. 
    • Type only the data that is added to the form and any headings or text that introduce that information.  For instance, some jobs have various headings with a series of checkboxes.  Only one or two of the checkboxes will contain checkmarks. 
    • You should type the heading for that section, and on the next line(s), type the line(s) of text that are indicated with a checkmark.  Do not type the checkmark itself. 
    • If there is no data entered for a particular heading, just leave it out. 

  • Do not try to match the page breaks in a form (unless it is the beginning of a new form).  When a narrative breaks over two pages, just continue typing and start a new page when a new form is started.

  • Please use the header/footer function if the document contains headers/footers (other than the “fax information” header).  Do not type headers/footers as document text.


Example 1, Forms with Fill in Sections

What to Do...

  • Use bold and centering as shown in form
  • Only include the checkbox items that are checked (below heading).  List items at left margin.
  • Use the header function to include the page number
  • Do not include the lines beneath the text on the fill-in portion of the form. 
  • Only include those items that are filled in (e.g. Work Phone should be omitted since it is not filled in)
  • Since the “fill-in” portion is really only two columns, use Word’s default tab settings rather than a table to position the text.


Example 2, Basic Table with Checkbox Options

What to Do...

  • Type the table as shown in form (including borders if used).
  • Do not use the checkbox symbol to recreate a fax form.  Use X to indicate that a box was checked in the table.
  • Only include the information with the marked checkboxes  Type in list format at the left margin. 


Example 3, Forms with Headings and Checkboxes

What to Do...

  • Indent and format the lettered headings as shown in the fax.
  • Only include items marked with the checkbox.
  • Item E does not include any checkbox items, and should be typed in its entirety. 


Example 4, Table with Checkboxes

What to Do...

  • Just include the items checked.  
  • Type in list format at the left margin.  
  • Do not reproduce the table. 


Example 5, Crucial Information is Contained in a Complex Chart 

What to Do...

  • Do not attempt to recreate complex tables. 
  • Please use a simple list format for the contents. 
  • Type the heading for each cell, followed by a colon and one tab, and then type the contents of the box. 
  • Put each item on a separate line.
  • Select all of the list items and set a hanging indent at the appropriate position so that all of the responses line up after the colon, and multi-line responses will wrap to the same tab position.
  • If there is no information entered for a particular cell, then omit it. 



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