Uploading a PDF

Two ways to upload

• Choose a file. Select New document at the top of the Documents page. Click the box that says Drop your PDF here to browse for a file, or drag the file onto that box.
• Drop it anywhere. While you are on the Documents page, drag a PDF from your computer and let go anywhere on the page. The whole window lights up with “Drop to start a new document” while you hold it there. Let go and it uploads and opens in the editor.

If you drop several files at once, the first PDF is used and the rest are left alone, so you can drop them again one at a time. If the file isn’t a PDF the page turns red and tells you, and nothing is uploaded.

Size and page limits

• Each PDF can be up to 15 MB and 100 pages.
• A document can have up to 300 fields and up to 10 signers (fewer on the trial and Lite; see Plans, prices and billing).
• You can have up to 25 unfinished drafts at once. Send or delete one to start another.
• Drafts you never send and don’t touch for 90 days are removed automatically.

If your document isn’t a PDF yet

Most programs can save a PDF. In Word, Pages or Google Docs, use File, Save as or Download, and choose PDF. On most computers you can also choose Print and pick “Save as PDF” as the printer.

A scan or a photo of a paper document is fine as long as it is saved as a PDF. Phone scanning apps, and the notes or files app on most phones, can do this.

• Password-protected PDFs can’t be opened. Remove the password in the program that made it, then upload it again.
• Very large files are usually large because of photos. Use a “compress PDF” or “reduce file size” option before uploading.

What you should upload

Your document is stored privately and shared only with the people you add to it. Only upload documents you are entitled to share. If a document contains other people’s personal details, particularly sensitive things such as health or financial information, make sure you have a good reason and that they know.

Some documents can’t be signed electronically, such as certain property deeds and wills. The New document page lists the common ones, and our guides explain the rules in the UK and the US.