PDF with fillable, persistent form using open source software

Question

My question is an extension of this .

Is there a way to create a PDF file that contains a fillable, saved form using open source software? Any development effort or library for this purpose gets points. Any software other than Acrobat also earns points.

Answer 1

February 2013 Update

According to this answer, Adobe Reader XI allows you to save any form of PDF. I tested it myself and it worked.

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My old answer:

If you want to generate PDF forms that can be filled out and saved using Adobe Acrobat Reader , you're out of luck. Such PDF files contain an encrypted digital certificate that can only be generated by Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat Reader checks for this certificate in PDF formats before allowing changes to be saved.

You can then use Adobe Acrobat to create forms, or use alternative methods of obtaining PDF files with filled data inside. One general approach is to include a submit button in your PDF file, which contains the values ​​of your fields on the web server, after which you can fill in your PDF file there using the library of your choice.

Here is an example that takes this approach with the Amyuni PDF Creator commercial library.

Editing PDF forms (AcroForms) in a Silverlight application (disclaimer usually applies)

Answer 2

You can create documents and export to PDF, fill out or not using OpenOffice. I did it and it is pretty easy. The hard part is adjusting the presentation of the filled data.

Answer 3

I think this should work. Try PDF Form Designer, an open source application. Look here

Answer 4

My 'goto' is open source. .NET PDF library ITextSharp . Not sure if it supports fillable forms, but I never had to do this. In any case, it's worth a look.

Answer 5

With the latest version of Adobe Reader, Adobe Reader XI, it seems that you can save the form.

From your web page: Enter your answers directly in the PDF form or click on them and fill in the form fields. Then save and send

Answer 6

OpenOffice and LibreOffice, since version 3.2 has the ability to create fillable PDF forms. The only thing that I can’t work normally in them is calculations. But for everything else, these free open source office suites are great, including list listings!

You can even set up the send button to email very simply, without the need for encoding! Wow. OpenOffice and LibreOffice are fantastic for creating fillable PDF forms that work!

Take a picture. You have nothing to lose, and it will not cost you a cent.