How to use fillable forms

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How to view a form on DWC's Web site
How to complete a fillable form
How to print a filled-in form
How to download and save a fillable form to your computer or network to use again
How to erase your data from a filled-in form
How to prepare EAMS OCR forms
How to print EAMS OCR forms

How to view a form on DWC's Web site

  1. Identify the form you wish to open.
  2. Click on the form title link. Adobe Acrobat Reader should immediately launch and the form displays within the browser window.
  3. If Adobe Acrobat Reader does not launch and you are asked what type of application to open the file with, download a free copy of the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web site. You must have at least Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 installed on your computer to view, complete and print DWC fillable forms.

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How to complete a fillable form - we recommend downloading forms to your desktop

(Macintosh users: please use equivalent commands.)

  1. Identify the form you wish to open.
  2. Click on the form title link. Adobe Acrobat Reader should immediately launch and the form displays within the browser window.
  3. If Adobe Acrobat Reader does not launch and you are asked what type of application to open the file with, download a free copy of the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web site. You must have at least Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 installed on your computer to view, complete and print DWC fillable forms.
  4. Click on the Save icon (SHIFT+CTRL+S) to download a copy to your desktop. Accept the destination directory for the download file (or choose another), and click "SAVE."
  5. Locate the form where you saved it, then double-click on the form to open.
  6. - OR -

  7. Locate and launch the Acrobat Reader program on your computer by clicking the START button, then PROGRAMS, then Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  8. Choose FILE, then OPEN, and locate the form file where you saved it.
  9. Use the hand tool or the scroll bar on the right side in the Adobe Acrobat window to move the form around to view all areas.
  10. To enter text in a form field: Your mouse pointer hand will change to an "I-beam" over a form field where you can enter text. Just click in the field and enter text.
  11. Once you have entered text in a field, press TAB to accept text entered and go to the next field.
  12. Press SHIFT+TAB to accept text entered and go to the previous field.
  13. RETURN takes you down another line in a multi-line field.
  14. When in a check box, you can press the space bar to put in or take out a check mark.

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How to print a filled-in form - we recommend downloading forms to your desktop

  1. Be sure to fill out the form completely before you print it. Note: The contents of a form field will not print if the field is active (contains a blinking bar).
  2. To print the completed form, click the "PRINT" icon on the Adobe Acrobat tool bar on the form. If you click the "PRINT" icon on the browser tool bar, you will get a copy of the form embedded in the Web page.
  3. Note: When viewing a form in the browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader does not allow you to save what you key into the form, nor can you e-mail the completed form to anyone. If you want to save a completed "fillable" form, see instructions below.

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How to download and save a fillable form to your computer or network to use again

Note: DWC forms are periodically revised. If you choose to download a form to your computer please check back periodically to make sure you have the latest version.

  1. If you want to save a completed "fillable" form, you may need to purchase and download an additional Adobe Acrobat product or upgrade the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader that you are using.
  2. Identify the form to download.
  3. Click on the form title link. Adobe Acrobat Reader should immediately launch and the form displays within the browser window.
  4. If Adobe Acrobat Reader does not launch and you are asked what type of application to open the file with, download a free copy of the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web site. You must have at least Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 installed on your computer to view, complete and print DWC fillable forms.
  5. Click on the Save icon (SHIFT+CTRL+S) to download a copy to your desktop. Accept the destination directory for the download file (or choose another), and click "SAVE."
  6. Locate the form where you saved it, then double-click on the form to open.
  7. - OR -

  8. Locate and launch the Acrobat Reader program on your computer by clicking the START button or Windows Icon, then locate Adobe Acrobat Reader from the list. You can also enter Adobe in the search box in the taskbar.
  9. Choose FILE, then OPEN, and locate the form file where you saved it.
  10. After you complete your entry, click on the Save icon (SHIFT+CTRL+S) to retain these changes.

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How to erase your data from a filled-in form

  1. Click on the RESET FORM button to remove data after completing form.
  2. Note: Not all forms on the DWC site have RESET FORM buttons installed yet
  3. Close the browser window or close the form.

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How to prepare EAMS OCR forms - we recommend downloading forms to your desktop

Be sure to upgrade your free version of Adobe Reader.

  1. Identify the form to download.
  2. Click on the form title link. Adobe Acrobat Reader should immediately launch and the form displays within the browser window.
  3. If Adobe Acrobat Reader does not launch and you are asked what type of application to open the file with, download a free copy of the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Web site. You must have at least Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 installed on your computer to view, complete and print DWC fillable forms.
  4. Click on the Save icon (SHIFT+CTRL+S) to download a copy to your desktop. Accept the destination directory for the download file (or choose another), and click "SAVE."
  5. Locate the form where you saved it, then double-click on the form to open.
  6. - OR -

  7. Locate and launch the Acrobat Reader program on your computer by clicking the START button or Windows Icon, then locate Adobe Acrobat Reader from the list. You can also enter Adobe in the search box in the taskbar.
  8. Choose FILE, then OPEN, and locate the form file where you saved it.
  9. When you open the form you should see all entry fields highlighted in blue.
  10. Required fields should be highlighted in red, although some versions may show these fields as highlighted in blue but outlined in red.
  11. Depending on your version of Adobe, you may or may not have another button that says “Highlight Required Fields.” If so, click this button as well to activate this feature. This will show you the location of all fields that will accept data—those fields that are required will appear in red.
  12. Fill in all the data you have for the highlighted fields. Do not skip fields if you have the requested information.
  13. Required fields must be filled in or the form will not be accepted.
  14. Enter all data in the “ALL CAPS” format. Use the “Caps Lock” function on your keyboard.
  15. Do not enter any special characters. Do not use periods, commas, colons, semi-colons, hyphens, etc. For example, if you are entering the name Lupe O’Brien you will type that in as LUPE OBRIEN. (Dates are an exception to the “no special characters” rule as they are entered using slashes: MM/DD/YYYY).
  16. Tab between fields. Tabs are set to facilitate use of the forms for those with disabilities and do not necessarily flow from one field to the next. If you find these settings counterintuitive, use your mouse and left click in the field you need. Press SHIFT+TAB to go to the previous field.
  17. Several fields have drop-down lists. It is best to use them to populate the field.
  18. When entering dates, it is best to use the drop-down calendar. Click on the month shown to change the month or year; click on the side arrows to move forward or back a month arrows shown to change. See below:
  19. EAMS Calendar imageEAMS Calendar image

  20. To select a checkbox, either click on the box or tab to the box and press your spacebar to mark the box. Note that there are several instances where you must select one of several checkboxes. Use your mouse to “check” the appropriate one. You may also use your arrow keys to move between the checkboxes.
  21. Pay attention to the error messages and make any necessary changes. If you enter something incorrectly then the form may clear your submission after you click the Okay button on the error message window. You will then be able to continue.

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How to print EAMS OCR forms - we recommend downloading forms to your desktop

    After filling out the form completely, the preferred method for printing from Adobe Acrobat Reader is:

    1. Click on the print icon on the form itself, which provides the correct settings, or choose the following print settings manually:

      1. For Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 7.X.X or older:
          • On page scaling, select “Reduce to Printer Margin”
          • Check “Auto Rotate and Center”
      EAMS print screen Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.X.X or older image
        b. For Adobe Acrobat Reader versions newer than 7.X.X:

        • On page sizing & handling, select "Custom Scale" and enter 94 percent (see screen shot below)
        • Under orientation select “Auto”
      EAMS print screen Adobe Acrobat Reader newer than 7.X.X image
    2. When filling out the forms by hand, keep the following guidelines in mind:

      • Print in block letters (no cursive handwriting)
      • Print in ALL CAPITAL letters
      • Print clearly and legibly
      • On addresses, be sure to leave spaces between the street number and the street name or other words.
    3. In all situations, please select the highest print quality your printer will provide.

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March 2022