How to Fill Out Scanned or Locked Adobe Acrobat Documents

We don't live in a paperless world yet. We still must take out a dusty old pen and apply it to paper. Popular software packages do help. PC applications like Adobe Acrobat enable us to take in formatted documents or scanned images and make them into files we can fill in digitally. The only problem is that basic software versions may not allow this feature, or the actual file itself may be locked or not programmed to employ field complete options. However, by simply scanning in a paper document or loading an already scanned one into even a basic paint program, you can turn any hard copy document into one professionally formatted and typed - instead of relying on your less than perfect hand writing.

Job Application Frustration

Job searching is easier than ever online. Most companies provide job resource tools and applications on a company website. Unfortunately, many still advise applicants to download a document, print it out and then go back to old stone knives and bear skins to fill out an application with a pen. Adobe Acrobat is the most universal document software, which enables most companies to produce applications. Many times the Adobe document is formatted so that by merely clicking on a field, a cursor appears and you can enter in information to the fields. But this isn't always the case. Adobe job applications may be locked or don't contain a feature for completing fields. There are ways around this digital roadblock.

With Adobe Acrobat, you may have the option of saving a document as another file, or load it up into a paint program. If that fails there is always the Print Screen function on your keyboard. Simply size up the document so that it fills your monitor screen - press the 'Print Screen' key and you'll be able to paste that into a paint program or word processor.

Scan It

You're looking for a job or want to join a local club or sports team. You went into the store and met with the hiring manager, or hung out with a coach or club president. Perhaps they gave you a hard copy application to fill out and return. If you already have a hard copy application or document with many fields to fill out, simply scan in the paper document into your computer.

Using a paint program - even simple Microsoft Paint which comes with Windows - load up the scanned file. Even the most basic paint or photo shop program has a select tool and editing feature. Go into each field and select out the text to clear. Save the document and now you'll have a fresh digital file to work from. By using the standard select rectangle, you can accomplish this, however it may be best to use the free form select tool. This is usually next to the select tool and often represented with a squiggly line. Once all the fields are clear and ready, you can use a text box insert to cleanly type in your information. Most programs, including MS Paint, use a large font letter like A to denote the insert text feature.

Whether you first start off with a paper document, scan it in and use a paint program to erase fields and fill in your text, or have an image or even locked Adobe Document, you can use this technique in most situations for a much cleaner, professional looking job application or any other document. Another benefit is if you make a mistake while filling out a scanned document, you can use the clear box over and over again to clear the field. It's like having an inexhaustible supply of liquid paper, and the best part is it never dries lumpy or bumpy.