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About fillable forms
Help with fillable forms
As with all CBSA forms, you are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of all data provided on fillable forms.
Our help file offers information on:
- Software for using fillable forms
- Completing fillable forms
- Printing forms that you've filled out
- Submitting forms that you've filled out
- Saving fillable forms
- Trouble Shooting
Software for using fillable forms
To view and use fillable forms or to download blank forms for future use, you need:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.05 or higher
- The software can be obtained free from the Adobe Web site, which also offers customer support.
To save a completed form that contains your own data, you must purchase additional software (see Saving fillable forms below).
Completing fillable forms
Along with the information provided here, you can consult the Adobe Acrobat Reader's online guides (under Help in the Reader's menu).
Moving within a form
- Enter the appropriate data in each box or field.
- To move from one field to the next, hit Tab.
- This helps ensure that you don't accidentally skip over any fields.
- You can also use your cursor to move from field to field.
- Place your cursor in the field you want to fill in, then left-click.
Changing your data
- To replace data you've already entered in a field, place your cursor within the field and then left-click.
- This selects the existing data, which you can then adjust or replace.
- To clear the data from all fields and start over, click on the Restore button located near the top of the form.
Multi-part forms
- Some forms contain several parts or copies -- such as both an information slip and a summary -- that require the same data.
- When the same information is required in more than one part or copy of a form, you only have to enter the data once.
- Enter the data in the first part of the form.
- The system will automatically insert the identical data in any other parts where it's requested
Check-off boxes
- Some forms contain boxes to be checked off.
- Place your cursor over the box you want to check off.
- When your cursor becomes shaped like a hand with its index finger pointing, click your left mouse button.
- To de-select a box, left-click on it again.
Multi-line fields
- Some fields -- for instance, the address field on some forms -- have room for more than one line of text.
- To move to the next line within a field, hit Enter.
- When you've finished in the field, hit Tab to move to the next field.
Forms that perform calculations
We're gradually adding fillable forms that perform calculations.
These forms perform calculations based on the amounts you enter. For instance, when you enter data in two fields that are to be added together, the form automatically calculates the total and inserts it in the appropriate third field.
You are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of any information submitted on fillable forms that perform calculations. Please double-check all data you enter!
Fields with a limited number of characters
- Some fields limit the maximum number of characters you can enter.
- For instance, a maximum of nine characters can be entered in the field asking for a social insurance number (do not enter dashes or spaces).
Specific fields
- Dates: Unless otherwise specified on an individual form, all dates must be entered in the format yyyy/mm/dd (for example, 2000/02/03 means February 3, 2000).
- Dollar amounts: You must manually enter the decimal point in dollar amounts that include cents.
- If you don't manually enter a decimal point, the system will automatically insert one after the final digit you entered.
- Phone numbers: Along with the standard area code and phone number, you can enter your extension if you have one.
- For instance, there is room for you to type in (888) 888-8888, ext. 8888.
- Signatures: A fillable form that requires a signature must be signed by hand after you've completed and printed it.
- The system won't let you enter any electronic data in the signature field.
Special links
- When using a fillable form, you can click on these buttons:
- Help button: Click on Help to access the help file you're reading right now.
- Publications: Some forms include a link to a corresponding publication (guides, forms, etc.). This type of link is indicated by a blue box surrounding the publication's name :
- Place your cursor anywhere in the area of the blue box.
- When your cursor becomes shaped like a hand with its index finger pointing, click your left mouse button.
- Instructions button: This link takes you to instructions specific to that form (for example, the instructions on the back of a printed form).
- NOTE: Whether printed or electronic, not all CBSA forms include these extra instructions.
- Light bulbs: Some fields contain a light bulb icon (for instance, see Form A48 R.M.D. Correction (PDF, 227 KB)) [help with PDF files]:
- Just click on the light bulb with your left mouse button to view a special message or instructions.
- Restore button: Click on Restore to erase all data you've entered on a fillable form and start over.
Printing forms that you've filled out
- Before printing, check the form's page size: some of them should be printed on legal-size paper (8.5" x 14").
- The Adobe Reader indicates the page size -- along with the number of pages -- in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
- Once you've completed a form on-screen and verified its page size, select File and then Print in the Reader's toolbar.
- This brings you to the print dialog box.
- To change the paper size, click on Setup in the print dialog box.
Submitting forms that you've filled out
- After you've entered and verified the data on your fillable form, print it.
- Manually sign the form (if applicable).
- Before submitting your printed form, either make a photocopy or save an electronic copy on your own computer (see Saving fillable forms below) for your records.
- Individual forms include instructions about where to send the completed paper copy.
Saving fillable forms
Downloading blank forms
Using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 4.05 or higher, you can download a blank fillable form for future use:
- Right-click on the hyperlinked file name and then select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Netscape).
- Save the document in the directory of your choice, then use your Reader to access it at your convenience.
- To access the saved form, click on File and then Open in the Reader's menu.
Saving forms that you've filled out
To save an electronic copy of a completed form that contains your own data, visit the Adobe Web site to purchase either:
- Acrobat Approval 5.0; or
- Acrobat 5.05
Trouble Shooting
If you have tried to access a .pdf form or publication (i.e., the link you clicked had .pdf at the end of it) and it did not open, ensure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If this software is not installed on your computer, read the general information section to find out how to get a free copy.
If you use Adobe Acrobat Reader and you're having problems viewing, printing, or downloading .pdf files, you should modify your Reader preferences:
| Acrobat Reader 4.0 | Acrobat Reader 5.0 |
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After you've followed these instructions, when you're using your browser and click on a hyperlink to a .pdf document, it will open in a separate window.
Note:
By removing the Web browser integration, you will no longer be able to link from your document to other items on the Internet. You will still be able to follow the internal document links.
If you've modified your Reader preferences but you're still having problems, you can download the .pdf file onto your own computer by following these instructions.
