Fill a PDF form from a spreadsheet (mail merge)
Open the Fill PDF from Excel tool, drop a fillable PDF and a CSV or XLSX file, match columns to fields, check the rows, set a file name and generate. Runs of up to 50 rows are filled in your browser, free.
Updated 2 min read Counts toward spreadsheet fill rows
Use this when the same form has to be filled many times from data you already have: certificates for a class, offer letters, vendor packets. You get one PDF per spreadsheet row, named from that row's data.
Step 1: Drop both files
In Fill PDF from Excel, drop a Fillable PDF (a PDF with form fields) and a Spreadsheet (CSV or XLSX, one row per document), then choose Map columns.
Step 2: Match columns to fields
Under Match columns to fields, PDFBetter matches what it can by name. Check each PDF field against its Spreadsheet column, or choose — leave empty —.
Step 3: Check the data
Rows that break the form's rules (a missing required value, an invalid email, an option that doesn't exist) are listed with the reason. Fix the spreadsheet, or tick Skip rows with problems.
Step 4: Name the output files
In File name template, use
{Column name}for cell values and{row}for the row number.{#:3}pads the number to 001.Step 5: Generate
Leave Flatten the filled PDFs on so values can't be changed, or turn it off to keep fields editable. Then run it and download the ZIP.
Browser runs and server runs
Up to 50 rows, everything happens in your browser: no account, no upload and nothing counted. Larger runs are filled on PDFBetter's servers. They need a free account with a confirmed email address, run one at a time, and count toward your monthly spreadsheet fill rows.
| Feature | No account | Free | Pro | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet fill rows | — | 25 | 500 | 5,000 |
- The spreadsheet needs one header row. Merged cells and several header rows should be cleaned up first.
- Excel formulas aren't recalculated; the stored cell values are used.
- The PDF must have form fields. If it doesn't, make it fillable first.
Can I send each filled PDF for signature?
Not in one step. PDFBetter doesn't send a separate signature request per row yet. Download the PDFs and request signatures on each, or automate it with the API on Business.
Can I use Google Sheets or Numbers?
Export the sheet to .xlsx or .csv first, then drop that file in.
Why does it say I need to confirm my email?
Server runs (more than 50 rows) need a confirmed address. Use the link in your welcome email, or request a new one in Settings, or split the file into smaller batches.
Tools in this article
Did this answer your question?
Related articles
- Make a PDF fillable by adding form fieldsOpen the PDF, switch the top bar to Create form, pick a field type from Add fields and click or drag it onto the page. Set its options on the right, check it with Preview, then download with Keep fillable or publish it as a form.
- Save a form as a reusable templateChoose Done → Save as template in the editor, or Save as template from a document's menu in My documents. Open it later from Templates with Use template: each use creates a new document and the template stays unchanged.
- View and export form responsesOpen Fill links in the sidebar and choose Responses next to the form. Each row expands to All answers and has Download filled PDF; the CSV and Excel buttons export every response with one column per field.
- Bulk send: one document to a whole list, each person signs their own copyPrepare the document for one signer, choose Bulk send when you send, then upload a CSV or Excel list (or paste rows) with a name and email per person. Everyone gets their own copy and signing link; you track them all in Sent. Up to 500 recipients per bulk send, on Business.