Can You Add Drop-Downs to PDFs?

If you need a PDF form with choices like “Yes/No” or ready-made answer lists, you are really looking for one thing: how to create a PDF with drop-down boxes without paying for heavy software.

The good news is that you can do this with LibreOffice for free, then use Smallpdf to handle everything around it, from compressing to sharing.

Below, we will walk through the exact steps, common issues, and how Smallpdf fits into the workflow once your drop-down form is ready.

Quick Checklist: Create a PDF With Drop-Down Boxes

Need the short version before we get into the details?

• Download and install LibreOffice (free, cross-platform).
• Open or create your form in “Writer.”
• Turn on “Form Controls” and “Form Design” toolbars.
• Add a “List Box” where you want the drop-down to appear.
• Add your options in “Control Properties.”
• Export as PDF with “Create PDF form” enabled.

How To Create a PDF With Drop-Down Boxes in LibreOffice

LibreOffice Writer is the main way we will add drop-downs. Once the drop-down fields are in place, you can export the document as a fillable PDF.

1. Install And Open LibreOffice Writer

1. Go to the official LibreOffice website and download the latest version.
2. Install it on your system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Open LibreOffice Writer and either:

• Create a new blank document, or
• Open an existing form you want to upgrade with drop-downs.

2. Show the Form Controls And Form Design Toolbars

To add interactive fields, you need two toolbars. 1. In the menu, click “View > Toolbars > Form Controls.” 2. Again, click “View > Toolbars > Form Design” to show the second toolbar.

3. On the “Form Design” toolbar, enable:

• Display Grid
• Snap to Grid

This makes it much easier to line up your fields and keep the form tidy.

3. Add a Drop-Down (List Box) Field

Now it’s time to place the actual drop-down. 1. On the “Form Controls” toolbar, click the “List Box” icon. 2. Move your cursor to the spot where the drop-down should go. 3. Click and drag to draw the field to the size you want.

You should now see an empty box where the menu will live.

4. Add Options To Your Drop-Down

Next, fill your drop-down with real choices. 1. Right-click the new list box and choose “Control Properties.” 2. In the “General” tab:

• Give the field a clear “Name” (for example, “Department” or “Country”).
• In “List entries,” type each option separated by a semicolon.
  • Example: Sales;Marketing;Finance;HR

You can also:

• Set a “default selection” if you want one.
• Adjust “font size” for better readability.

5. Test and Export as a PDF Form

Once your drop-down looks right: 1. On the “Form Design” toolbar, turn “Design Mode” off to test the field. 2. Click the drop-down in the document to make sure options appear in the order you expect. 3. When you are happy, go to “File > Export As > Export as PDF.” 4. In the PDF Options window, check “Create PDF form.” 5. Click “Export,” choose a file name, and save.

You now have a fillable PDF with a working drop-down box that you can open in any PDF viewer.

How Smallpdf Fits Into Your Drop-Down PDF Workflow

Smallpdf doesn’t create the drop-down fields itself, but it is very useful once your form exists as a PDF.

Clean Up And Prepare Your Form

After you export from LibreOffice:

• Use Edit PDF to add extra text, shapes, or annotations.
• Run Compress PDF to shrink large forms before sharing.
• Use Merge PDF to combine your new form with other documents.

This is helpful if you are building a packet that includes instructions, policies, or extra pages along with the form.

Share, Protect, And Sign Your Drop-Down Form

You can also:

• Use Protect PDF to add a password before sending the form.
• Share links directly from Smallpdf instead of attaching large files.
• Add eSignatures to signed versions of the completed form.

Together, LibreOffice and Smallpdf give you both the form-building piece and the surrounding workflow for editing, sharing, and securing your PDFs.

Troubleshooting Drop-Downs in PDF Forms

Drop-down not behaving the way you expect? Here are common problems and how to fix them.

1. The Drop-Down Does Not Work in the PDF

• Make sure you exported using “File > Export As > Export as PDF,” not just printed to PDF.
• Confirm you checked “Create PDF form” in the export options.
• Test the PDF in a viewer that supports forms (many built-in viewers do).

If the drop-down still doesn’t open, go back to the LibreOffice file and verify that Design Mode was off when you tested.

2. Options Are Missing or Out of Order

• Open “Control Properties” again and check the “List entries” field.
• Ensure options are separated by semicolons with no extra spaces.
• Reorder the entries in the list to match the menu order you want.

Export a test PDF after changes to confirm everything looks right.

3. The Field Appears Blank

• Check that you did not leave “Default selection” empty if you expect a starting value.
• Make sure the field is tall and wide enough to show the text.
• Verify that your PDF viewer is not showing white text on a white background due to a theme.

If needed, adjust the font and border style in “Control Properties > Appearance.”

4. You Cannot Edit a Drop-Down in an Existing PDF

Once a PDF form is exported, editing the structure is very limited.

• Always keep your “.odt” LibreOffice source file safe.
• When you need changes, update the .odt file and export a new PDF.
• Use Smallpdf for layout tweaks and sharing, not for changing the drop-down fields themselves.

Build Drop-Down Forms, Then Refine With Smallpdf

Creating a PDF with drop-down boxes doesn’t require expensive software. You can use LibreOffice to build professional, interactive forms and then rely on Smallpdf to compress, protect, merge, and share those forms with others.

If you are just starting, try building one simple drop-down form in LibreOffice and running it through Smallpdf for finishing touches. Once you see how the pieces fit together, you can reuse the same workflow for surveys, HR forms, checklists, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a dropdown in PDF?

Create the form in LibreOffice Writer, add a “List Box” field using the Form Controls toolbar, set your options in “Control Properties,” then export as a PDF with “Create PDF form” enabled.

How do I add a dropdown date field in a PDF?

LibreOffice does not create a special calendar pop-up, but you can add a drop-down with date choices such as months, years, or preset dates. For more complex date pickers, consider using separate fields or a dedicated PDF editor that offers calendar widgets.

How to make clickable boxes in PDF?

Use LibreOffice’s Form Controls to add checkboxes or other form fields, then export as a PDF form. Once exported, the fields will be clickable in any PDF reader that supports forms.

How do I put fillable boxes on a PDF?

In LibreOffice Writer, turn on “Form Controls,” choose the text field or checkbox controls you need, place them on the page, and export with “Create PDF form” active. The result is a fillable PDF form.

How do I add an interactive text box in a PDF?

Add a text field in LibreOffice using the Form Controls toolbar, adjust its size and properties, and export as a PDF form. Users will then be able to click into that field and type.

How do I create a list box in PDF?

In LibreOffice Writer, select the “List Box” control, draw it on your form, and open “Control Properties” to add your list entries separated by semicolons. Export as a PDF form, and the list box becomes a working drop-down in the PDF.