If you are having problems accessing the CHESS website, contact theCHESS help desk at: [email protected] or 888-232-4405 / 703-806-1019 / DSN: 312-656-1019 (Monday - Friday 0800-1700 Eastern).

To download DA forms, go to the Army Publishing Directorate website http://www.apd.army.mil/ , click on the Forms (tab), DA Forms button. Find the form you want (in the range of form numbers). Right click the XFDL link to the right of the form you want, Select Save Target As. Save it to your computer and you will have the form for later. You can also click the link, it will open up your Lotus Forms or Pure Edge software automatically (only if using Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8). All other browsers will have to use the Right click, Save As option to save your form.

Digitally signing a form is simple when following these instructions

With your form open and your CAC inserted in the card reader

Single click the button with the slanted pen with 'Click to Approve' typed after it (see image)

Read the Electronic Signature Notice, then OK

Click the word Sign (not OK)

Select your name (the one without the word email in it), then OK

You should see your name, once you do, click the word Sign

It will prompt you to type in your PIN, then select OK

Once you see Signature is valid, select OK

You have now signed your form

If the word Sign is GRAY, please look here for some known cures

Ibm Lotus Form

Are you curious how to change the check marks to X's on forms?

Open Lotus Forms, click the Preferences button (blue and red O + on it)

Select Advanced Settings

Select the box next to: Use 'X' Style Check Boxes

If you are interested in knowing how to digitally sign an Excel or Word 2003 or 2007 file, this is how to do it

This is the email I received from APD on 25 August 2010 when I asked for permission to have an alternate download location for people when the CHESS website is down.
'In regards to your email, As I am sure you are well aware APD is the Enterprise provider of Lotus Forms Viewer and Silanis ApproveIt software. There are only two channels that are authorized to be the authoritative distributor of the fore mentioned software, 1. AGM (Army Gold Master) for GFE (Government Funded Equipment) installation / use and 2. CHESS (Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software Solutions) for PFE (Personal Funded Equipment) installation / use. APD does not authorize any other body (i.e. AKO files) to distribute its Enterprise Software. Your request to have this software hosted in your files has been dually noted. At this time your request to host / provide the Lotus Forms Viewer and Silanis ApproveIt software is Denied. You will be advised if APD's stance on this request changes in the future.'
For issues obtaining the software from the CHESS website, utilize the Official Army channels listed below.

The ideas on this website are from my personal experience. I have been told by Army Publishing Directorate (APD) to send users to their help desk so they become aware of the problems with this program. 703-692-1306 / DSN: 312-222-1306 , Webform, or If you are having problems accessing the CHESS website, contact theCHESS help desk at: [email protected] or 888-232-4405 / 703-806-1019 / DSN: 312-656-1019 (Monday - Friday 0800-1700 Eastern).

Follow instructions at top of this page to install Lotus Forms 4.0.0.477.

Air Force users, download your version of Lotus forms:

Lotus Forms For Mac Free Download Windows 10

Click on: 'IBM Lotus Viewer 4.0.0.0 Fixpack 3' under Download link: