Write to PDF Form

Clarifications

An [i]interactive[/i] .pdf form requires no special software - you simply enter type within the designated form fields. Alas, without special software, you can rarely [i]save[/i] the entered text.

One workaround to [i]save[/i] the entered text is to use Prt-Sc to copy an image to the clipboard, then Ctrl-V to paste the image into a Word document. A bit convoluted, but it works.

To edit a .pdf document, you must have special software. Adobe makes its Reader software universally available so that you can open any .pdf document and enter text into interactive .pdf documents. However, Adobe wants you to buy its pricey Acrobat software to create .pdf documents [i]de novo[/i].

Acrobat is awesomely useful software, but the Professional version, which can create interactive forms, costs $449 retail. It is heavily discounted to educational institutions ($120 per license), so perhaps this is an option for you.

There are a number a less expensive .pdf editing programs available (check Google), but none that confers the versatility and power of Acrobat.

Rick/Portland, OR

You know that I resent Adobe's marketing clout as much as you do. Adobe cleverly discounts Acrobat to educational institutions, fully intending to get students [i]hooked[/i] on Acrobat. It works.

While in law school, I purchased a discounted Acrobat license for $120. It's an awesome application, and those who are proficient with Acrobat swear by it. The quality of the product speaks for itself.

I own no stock in Adobe, nor have I ever considered employment with that organization. You may resent their marketing clout, but dear Old Mycroft, be fair, and give praise where praise is due.

Rick/Portland, OR

I agree with Old Mycroft with the added benefit of foxit consuming much less HDD real estate.

do you need to see the results of the write within the software that's doing it.

There's loads of free software to amend and create PDF files, near none to render them. and they are all flakey.

You'll see them about, check the weasel words. For ?500 quid we'll display your document wrong, but we will have a look at it if you complain. In one case I created the document with their software and then when I displayed it, it was arse. Worked in acrobat though....

iTextSharp is what I've been looking at recently ony creates and amends though doesn't show the document.

The business community relies heavily upon Acrobat. An extremely useful feature of Acrobat Professional is the ability to create interactive .pdf forms.

Like most folks, I do my composing and formatting in Word. When the document is tweaked to perfection, I convert to .pdf with a mouse click.

This compilation can then be easily added to another file, bookmarked, and archived. Should I ever need it retrieved, it can be [i]extracted[/i] from the compilation and shared as an e-mail attachment.

Unlike Word, what you see is exactly what the recipient views. It cannot be easily modified if security is enabled and permissions are set.

Old Mycroft, correct me if I'm wrong, but Foxit cannot create interactive .pdf forms. Tony's right - you get what you pay for.

I wish Acrobat weren't so egregiously overpriced. Everyone I know who has thoroughly familiarized himself/herself with Acrobat has made it an indispensable method of archiving and file sharing.

Acrobat is not optimal for creative templates - that is better done in more flexible formats such as Word. Acrobat should be judged by what it was designed to do.

Rick/Portland, OR

Y'know, in the UK, kids are brought up on tins of Heinz Beans.

But there's at least 15 other makes that all taste different - but they're all BEANS.

And all varieties still evoke a fart! ;)

http://www.nuance.com/products/
This program works similar to Adobe but at less cost.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.