---
title: "Convert a Paper or PDF Form With the AI Form Converter"
slug: "form-builder-ai-form-converter"
updated: 2026-10-28T14:24:07Z
published: 2026-10-28T14:24:07Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/form-builder-ai-form-converter"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Convert a Paper or PDF Form With the AI Form Converter

The AI Form Converter turns a PDF, Excel file, or photo of a paper form into a digital form. This article covers the 3 ways to convert a form, including adding fields from a document with the Assistant.

## How the AI Form Converter works

You upload a document, and FastField reads its layout. It creates the sections and fields, then saves the result as a new draft form. You review the form in the Form Builder and publish it when it's ready.

You can convert a form in 3 places:

- **The Form Builder start screen:** The quickest way to turn a file or photo into a new form
- **The AI Form Converter:** Lets you upload several images at once
- **The Assistant:** Adds fields from a document to a form you already have

> [!WARNING]
> Important
> 
> Upload only blank templates. Don't upload documents that contain personal information.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> The AI Form Converter is available when AI features are turned on for your account.

## Convert a form from the Form Builder start screen

1. In the portal, go to **Forms** > **My Forms**.
2. Select **New Form**, then select **Form**.
3. Select **Form Builder**.
4. On the start screen, find **Have a paper or PDF form?** and choose one of these options:

- Select **Upload PDF or Excel**, then choose a file
- Select **Take a photo** to photograph a paper form
- Drag a file onto the card

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/convert-01-start-screen-upload.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T08%3A03%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T09%3A03%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mB%2B5h0l7IKGN13O75MCm4LA6cqoiUwcYjqzwoYvhIh8%3D)

*The Form Builder start screen with the Have a paper or PDF form? card*

FastField builds the form and opens it in the Form Builder. You can upload 1 PDF (up to 20 pages), image, or Excel file of up to 10 MB.

> [!NOTE]
> Tip
> 
> To give the AI extra instructions, select **Describe your form** instead. Select **Upload** to attach your file, then describe what you want. For example, *Add a photo field after each checklist item*.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image-1792655221863.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T08%3A03%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T09%3A03%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mB%2B5h0l7IKGN13O75MCm4LA6cqoiUwcYjqzwoYvhIh8%3D)

*The Describe your form screen with the Upload button*

## Convert a form from the New Form menu

1. In the portal, go to **Forms** > **My Forms**.
2. Select **New Form**, then select **AI Form Converter**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image-1792655265323.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T08%3A03%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T09%3A03%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mB%2B5h0l7IKGN13O75MCm4LA6cqoiUwcYjqzwoYvhIh8%3D)

*he New Form menu with AI Form Converter selected*

1. To adjust how the form is built, select **Settings**. Change the options you need, then select **Back**.

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Repeatable sections | Builds repeating parts of the document as repeating sections |
| Use Option Lists for Yes/No fields | Builds yes/no questions as option lists |
| Use Option Lists for small list fields | Builds short lists of choices as option lists |
| Additional Prompt for AI | Extra instructions for the AI, for example *Place a photo field after each checklist item* |

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image-1792655371476.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T08%3A03%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T09%3A03%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mB%2B5h0l7IKGN13O75MCm4LA6cqoiUwcYjqzwoYvhIh8%3D)

*The AI Settings for the AI Form Converter*

1. Choose how to upload your form:

- **Upload PDF:** Choose a PDF. The conversion starts right away.
- **Upload Images:** Choose up to 20 images, then select **Generate**
- **Take Photos:** Take up to 20 photos with your camera, then select **Generate**

1. When the form is created, select **Form Builder**.

## Add fields from a document with the Assistant

To add fields from a document to a form you already have, use the Assistant.

1. Open the form in the Form Builder.
2. Select **Assistant** in the side bar.
3. Select the attach icon, then choose a PDF, image, or Excel file.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/image-1792655474863.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-30T08%3A03%3A03Z&se=2026-10-30T09%3A03%3A03Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mB%2B5h0l7IKGN13O75MCm4LA6cqoiUwcYjqzwoYvhIh8%3D)

*The Assistant tab with the attach icon*

1. Describe what you want, for example *Add these checklist fields to a new section at the end*.
2. Send the message.

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> Assistant changes aren't saved until you select **Save Draft**.

## Tips for best results

- Use a clear, high-quality scan or photo. Blurry images can lead to missing or misplaced fields.
- Review each field type after conversion. Change any field the AI didn't recognize correctly.
- Preview the form before you publish it to check that it works the way your team expects

## What's next

- [Edit an existing form](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-edit-an-existing-form)
- [Field type overview](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-field-type-overview)
- [Form preview function](/fastfield/docs/en/form-builder-form-preview-function)