How to take advantage of Preview's form-filling helper in macOS

macOS added an option to try to identify fields in a PDF form so you can easily enter text or check boxes.

- GLENN FLEISHMAN

Adobe added the option to mark fields that can be filled out with text, boxes that can be checked, and other helpers for form completion at least a decade ago. But many organizations that offer downloadable forms on their websites haven't gotten the message.

The group may not have access to Adobe Acrobat, the PDF modification software that allows editing and other features. They may be saving as or printing to PDF from Word, Pages, or other apps. Or they may lack the resources or knowledge to populate a PDF with form elements.