How to create a PDF file that a person can type into (vanity)

self

[rudy45]

I know that "regular" PDF files, when viewed via Acrobat Reader, are read-only and non-modifiable. However, I have worked with other files (I think they're also PDF) that allowed me to type onto them (specifically, allowed me to type onto specific fields of a form). I realize that I cannot save the changes, but being able to type onto the form then lets me print it out with my typing there.

How is this capability achieved? Is it a function of the program that CREATES the PDF file, or that of the viewer, or both? Thanks.

[Puppage]

You'll need the full version of Acrobat...not just the free downloadable Reader version.

www.precisiongroup.com

[prion]

Both. You set up form fields in the creation process.

However, if you have the full Acrobat product (once called Exchange) -- the creation software, in other words -- you can, unless the original creator has disallowed it, edit all sorts of text in .pdf files. Forms or not.

[glorgau]

Before this thread gets bumped... use Adobe Acrobat. There are also other programs out there that create PDF forms.

[TomGuy]

Those PDFs are developed by an Adobe software PDFformfiller or something like that. It is a specialized PDF creation program.

check adobe.com for more info on it.

[Hodar]

You can create a 'Form' in MS Word, that will allow you do do exactly what you want.

To be able to edit and change a .pdf file, completely and utterly removes the entire purpose of having the .pdf file to beging with. The .pdf file is 'locked' in that it is un-editable. That is why warrantee's, user's manuals, installation guides and others are distributed over the internet as .pdf's, instead of .doc's. Otherwise, anyone could alter the instructions to say what they want; and demand warantee repairs and replacement.

"See, right here is says to drive over my watch several times to verify the waterproof itegrity. Now, give me a new watch".

[Bob]

One way to create PDF files is to use a web-based service to convert existing files to PDF format.

Two possibilities are:

www.ps2pdf.com and

www.pdf995.com

The free OpenOffice suite allows direct export to PDF files from documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

[Hodar]

However, if you have the full Acrobat product (once called Exchange) -- the creation software, in other words -- you can, unless the original creator has disallowed it, edit all sorts of text in .pdf files. Forms or not.

You are partially correct. Adobe FrameMaker will easily allow you to make forms. These are saved as a .fm document; and you can freely add, subtract and re-format the document. PageMaker will behave similarily. But once you save it as a .pdf; the form is 'locked'.

[Bob]

I forgot to mention that ps2pdf.com and pdf995.com are both free services. (There is an ad page sent by pdf995.com each time you convert a file. You can pay a one-time $9.95 fee so that the ad doesn't appear.)

[rudy45]

I understand that the PDF file is "locked" and unchangeable. I'm talking about the ability to type into a PDF file and have my typing appear on a printout. Of course, my typed comments would never be saved with the file.

Thanks.

[egarvue]

I'm not an open-source zealot, but the free OpenOffice software allows you to create docs and forms, type into them, and save them as .pdf's without having to buy Acrobat. It can read and save in Word's .doc format as well. Its not perfect, but when I want to generate a quick PDF, I write it up in word, open it up in OpenOffice, and save it as pdf. Very simple.

I'm sure that there are better solutions out there, but for my money (none!), this works for me.

[prion]

The .pdf file is 'locked' in that it is un-editable.

Nuh-uh. At least, not ordinarily and, until recently, not successfully locked, even if you make the effort. A month or so ago, someone brought me a file that, for the first time, I couldn't break.

Earlier versions of Acrobat, you could just "save as" and save it as a new file with no security. Later versions, you could still print to file or print directly to a new .pdf, if printing was allowed.

[Hodar]

OK, I verified that Adobe PageMaker and FrameMaker CAN NOT open a .pdf file, even though they created the .pdf file in question.

If memory serves, I think that 'way back when' Adobe 3 or 4 was out and about, you had the option of adding test to an existing .pdf file; then printing the form out.

Adobe Reader 6.01 does not offer this option. I do not know about Adobe Acrobat.

[Reelect President Dubya]

Is it a function of the program that CREATES the PDF file, or that of the viewer, or both?

Both.

Acrobat Forms

[prion]

Short answer: you need the full Acrobat, which is, like, $200.

There's a tool on the toolbar that looks like an I-beam with a T next to it. It's the Touch Up Text tool. With this, you can change text, permananently and save it, if you like...providing the original creator didn't click "do not allowing changing text" when the .pdf was created.

If he did check that box, and he was using 6.0, you're out of luck. If he was using earlier versions, it's breakable.

[qwertyz]

Actually, you can type right into a document and save it as a PDF outright, with several limitations, of course. You can start by dumping this code into notepad and search and replace the phrase, "Test this, baby"

Here's the code:
%PDF-1.2
1 0 obj
<<
/Type /Catalog
/Pages 3 0 R
/Outlines 2 0 R
>>
endobj
2 0 obj
<<
/Type /Outlines
/Count 0
>>
endobj
3 0 obj
<<
/Type /Pages
/Count 1
/Kids [4 0 R]
>>
endobj
4 0 obj
<<
/Type /Page
/Parent 3 0 R
/Resources << /Font << /F1 7 0 R >> /ProcSet 6 0 R >>
/MediaBox [0 0 612 792]
/Contents 5 0 R
>>
endobj
5 0 obj
<< /Length 44 >>
stream
BT
/F1 24 Tf
100 700 Td (Test this, baby) Tj
ET
endstream
endobj
6 0 obj
[/PDF /Text]
endobj
7 0 obj
<<
/Type /Font
/Subtype /Type1
/Name /F1
/BaseFont /Helvetica
/Encoding /MacRomanEncoding
>>
endobj
xref
0 8
0000000000 65535 f
0000000009 00000 n
0000000074 00000 n
0000000120 00000 n
0000000179 00000 n
0000000322 00000 n
0000000415 00000 n
0000000445 00000 n
trailer
<<
/Size 8
/Root 1 0 R
>>
startxref
553
%%EOF

[D-fendr]

You can also open and modify pdf files in Adobe Illustrator.

[HAL9000]

The easiest way to create PDF files is -

1. Get A Mac.

2. Start any program you wish to use to create the PDF. It can be a word processor, a text editor, a graphics program, or whatever.

3. Design your page, then select the "Print" command.

4. Click the "Save as PDF" button.

5. You're done.

[El Gran Salseron]

There are many freeware programs that emulate Adobe Acrobat which is the version that lets you create pdfs.....not just the reader.

You can download these fully functional freeware programs at either of the following sites although you may have to do a little searching:

http://www.webattack.com/freeware/freeware.html

http://www.winsite.com/free/freeutil/

Adobe Acrobat is too expensive. Software companies have egos and the more money they make the more inflated their egos become.

[El Gran Salseron]

Oh! And the freeware versions will let you open existing pdfs and edit at will.