[SOLVED] Filling out PDF forms

xri · 08-01-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm currently working with some PDF forms downloaded from official agencies.

To my dismay, my regular PDF readers, such as KPDF and the like can only read them but are unable to write on the predefined fields.

Previously, I've successfully used flpsed to insert words on PDF files. However, in this case flpsed cannot import the PDF forms.

Grudgingly, I'm going to install Acrobat Reader, which apparently is the only one that can handle these PDF forms.

Questions:

In what sense are PDF forms different and not amenable to regular Open Source readers?
Is there any other Open Source alternative to handle them?

colucix · 08-01-2009, 10:46 AM

Opensource PDF editors are pdfedit and scribus. You can also find a free online pdf edit service, here.

jdkaye · 08-01-2009, 11:06 AM

Openoffice now has some editing ability for pdf's. I don't know if it handles forms or not but it would be worth a look.
cheers,
jdk

forubu · 08-01-2009, 12:13 PM

I'm using Evince to read and fill in forms. and I don't have a problem filling out predefined fields in a pdf-file.

If I'm going to edit the pdf-file I prefer to use Open Office. It will open in Draw and is editable from there provided that "Sun PDF Import Extension" is installed.

xri · 08-01-2009, 01:50 PM

Thanks for your replies. I'm looking at some of them now.