This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

When I open a fillable PDF document, I receive the message, 'This PDF document contains 'forms'. The filling of form fields is not supported." Why?

  • 3 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by EABSavage

EABSavage
EABSavage
more options

When I open a fillable PDF document, I receive the message, 'This PDF document contains 'forms'. The filling of form fields is not supported." Why? I don't have this problem when I use the browser InternetExplorer.

When I open a fillable PDF document, I receive the message, 'This PDF document contains 'forms'. The filling of form fields is not supported." Why? I don't have this problem when I use the browser InternetExplorer.

All Replies (3)

Wesley Branton
Wesley Branton
more options

You are viewing a PDF file that contains an element that you can type something in. These are most commonly used in forms. The PDF reader that is built in to Firefox does not support filling out forms.

It appears that Internet Explorer uses Adobe Reader technology to open PDF files. Adobe Reader supports filling out forms.

In order to fill out a form from Firefox, you will have to open the PDF in a third party software like Adobe Reader. This can be done by clicking the Open With Different Viewer button in the warning message or by saving the file to your computer and opening using a PDF reading software.

If you do not have a copy of Adobe Reader, you can download it for free from here.

FredMcD
FredMcD
more options

Security Issue: Update your Flash Player Version 20.0.0.235
https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html Note: Windows users should download the ‘’’active_x’’’ for “Internet Explorer,” and the ‘’’plugin’’’ for “Plugin-based browsers” (like Firefox).

Note: Edge on Win10 does not use ActiveX version but its own Flash.

See if there are updates for your graphics drivers https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

EABSavage
EABSavage Question owner
more options

The files at this link were older than the files on the computer.