Optimization tips > Evolution of paper forms

The evolution of paper forms

From pdf to online forms

Nasrumminallah Zeeshan, 05/07/2017
From pdf to online forms


The corporate environments use PDF forms for collecting their data. The pdf forms are created with fillable fields and stored after the users are finished

entering the data into fields.

But the PDF forms fall short of advanced features like automated filling, responsive design, and database integration.

We are going to address a robust solution to PDF forms. We will address the pros and cons of PDF forms, why pdf forms are not so useful in corporate data

collection, and what solution is required to revamp your data collection routine.


Why are PDF Forms not so useful in Corporate Data Collection?


While PDF forms are helpful in collecting data, they fall short of advanced features. Along with having features like protecting intellectual property and

maintaining printed format, pdf forms do expose management hurdles during corporate data collection. The following facts are the key reasons of why you

should skip on using PDF forms, and switch to a more robust solution like coming in the next lines.

  • In order to create PDF forms, you need to have a tool like Adobe Lifecycle  Designer. Similarly, the person needing to enter data into pdf forms also require a pdf reader tool like Foxit Reader, installed on the system first. Some users may not agree to install the extra tools for dealing your PDF forms, resulting in potential loss of the customers.
  • The content of PDF files is formatted for printing purposes. That said the content of pdf files are usually crafted for printing pages, A4 or letter and not for the screen size. It means the PDF forms are exposed to have responsiveness issues on different screen sizes.
  • The PDF forms take time while loading in the browser window. You are presented either the download box or kept in waiting until the pdf file is loaded properly in the browser window.
  • The PDF forms are not reflective of user experience. The user has to use the pdf tool commands to change the file, as the pdf commands are different than the browser while the file is being loaded in the browser window.
  • The PDF file contents are mostly not editable. If you want to make changes in your PDF form, you will need special editing tools installed on your system.
  • While working with PDF forms, you cannot automate the form filling. You are only supposed to enter the pre-defined range and format of the values, rather than deciding on editing fields according to required criteria.
  • The PDF forms are designed with publically available tools. With that clarified, the pdf forms are looked professional, but having the problems regarding navigation and responsiveness.
  • The PDF forms are hosted online, similar to common file hosting routines. That said the pdf forms are required to be downloaded before use, unlike responsive forms available for use in real time.
  • The PDF forms are distributable by several means; including email, flash drives, and file hosting platforms. The distribution of your corporate pdf forms violate your company rights and create open challenge to track and manage the distributed form files.
  • The PDF forms cannot post data to online scripts. If we want to make our PDF forms able to post data, we will have to change and revamp our system. On the other hand, adopting a suitable solution solves the problem quickly.
  • Once you distribute your PDF forms, you cannot make changes or corrections.
  • PDF forms expose a verity of technical issues, including creating, editing and other features like data validation for the form fields.

 


What should you do?

To get rid of PDF forms limitations, you need to switch to a more robust solution.The new system should kill off the limits of pdf forms. In the following lines, we are going to address an advanced solution for your PDF forms management. The system is called Formtitan, equipped with advanced features regarding forms management; used to create responsive online forms and landing pages. The Formtitan is used to create active forms and attractive landing pages, along with features like logic and integrations, drag and drop options and easy to style interface.

 

To understand the features of Formtitan, we are going to describe each with a short description.

 

1. Themes and Templates

The Formtitan is equipped with form themes and templates, a large collection of field types, customization options and drag and drop form builder interface.

2. Build and Test your Forms

You can build and test your forms with new pro-tips. To maintain a high conversion rate, you can optimize the forms by A/B testing.

3. Manage your data correctly

Manage your data with more robust options. You can export your form data to

Google Docs, Sheets and Salesforce. You can also connect your forms by using the Formtitan API for 3rd party applications.

4. Advanced Conditional Logics

You can create forms with special conditions set for field types, including characters based conditions, mathematical and logical conditions.

5. Gain Insights Data

The Formtitan presents insight reports regarding its forms performance. This helps in managing the forms with ease and provides the concluded records to

boost your form management.

6. Chat Support

The Formtitan provides chat support while users are filling their forms. Live chat support reduces form errors and costs less time to fill the forms properly.

7. Form Security

You can protect your forms from automated bots and scripts. The forms are protected with Captcha security, along with SSL encryption and Comodo Secured Seal on your forms.

8. Monetize your Forms

The Formtitan forms are integrated with different payment options. You can set currency, values for fields and pricing parameters to create monetized forms for your corporate purposes.

9. Online Form Mapping and Responsive Forms

You can map your paper forms online with Formtitan. The feature is known as Paper Form Mappingproving the ability to convert your paper forms to online responsive forms. The paper forms are turned to online and responsive forms along with all the attributes of paper forms; including design, data and digital signatures as present in the original paper forms.

10. Target your Audience

You can reach out to people not filing the forms you sent to them. You can track your forms filling and send attractive emails for improved efficiency.


Over to you

Take the first step to revamp your paper forms and convert them into online and responsive forms with Formtitan. We defined the relevant facts of why PDF Forms are not able to fulfill your corporate data collection needs.

We also discussed the final approach to change your forms management, and defined Formtitan to design, create, convert, validate and manage your paper forms with advanced features of Formtitan.

With Formtitan, you can design and create your forms by choosing themes and templates from available collection. You can test and build your forms with A/B testing options. Similarly, the Formtitan provides more flexible features like adding conditional logics, form security, chat support, insights data, converting your paper forms into online and responsive forms, and monetization features.



Conclusion

The importance of converting your paper and pdf forms to online and responsive forms is essential. With online and responsive forms, you not only collect your data with ease but also manage the captured data with more features and

options. To take a better taste of the Formtitan features, head towards Paper Form Mapping or try the Formtitan services.

Moreover, you can see the full features list of Formtitan, or compare the features with other similar form tools. You can also ask your questions or see the FAQs.