Cannot seem to edit PDF's. Any advice for how to fill out PDF forms?

[Vera]

Hi, I'm a little confused - I can't seem to edit PDF's. By edit, I mean add text to fill in forms. I thought I used to be able to a year ago on this same computer.

It's possible I don't remember what I did, but there's a form I fill out each year and when I open it up this year, it just won't let me make changes. I can't seem to edit last year's PDF form either anymore, so I'm not sure why this is.

Anyhow, my aim is to fill in multi-page PDF forms and save as a PDF document, I'd like to know if anyone has any advice for this situation please. Thank you - it would be a huge help.

[CSNLinux]

Hi, I'm a little confused - I can't seem to edit PDF's. By edit, I mean add text to fill in forms. I thought I used to be able to a year ago on this same computer.

It's possible I don't remember what I did, but there's a form I fill out each year and when I open it up this year, it just won't let me make changes. I can't seem to edit last year's PDF form either anymore, so I'm not sure why this is.

Anyhow, my aim is to fill in multi-page PDF forms and save as a PDF document, I'd like to know if anyone has any advice for this situation please. Thank you - it would be a huge help.

Is opening the PDF file in Libre office an option?

[Sprintrdriver]

Editing PDF's really comes down to what program the pdf file is opened with.

Seems that the PDF reader that ships with LL can't save any changes to pdf forms (I just tested with a pdf with forms created with LibO).

[trinidad]

Open the file in LO draw not writer.

TC

[Vera]

Hi, thanks to [member=6945]Sprintrdriver[/member] , [member=7334]CSNLinux[/member] and [member=5916]trinidad[/member] . I appreciate the suggestions. OK, I tried opening it in LO writer and in LO Draw. In Writer, I couldn't figure out how to add text, and in Draw I could add text but only via a text box, which was annoying as I had to resize it and change font size each time. Also, LO Draw crashed during this process.

Looking around, I did find this article https://itsfoss.com/pdf-editors-linux/ so I might try one of the ones mentioned there.

I don't think I had this difficulty last year, I remember thinking I had an easier way to do this.  Did the last version of LL include a PDF editor? Anyway, I will go ahead and try the ones mentioned in the article. I am willing to try further suggestions you may have too.

Since this form is one I have to fill in each year, I will be going for something that is a long-term solution and that makes it as easy as possible. Thanks again everyone, and if you think of anything else feel free to let me know, I'm eager to try things. I'll keep the thread updated if I find a solution in the meantime.

[Vera]

OK, I read the article https://itsfoss.com/pdf-editors-linux/ . First I tried Okular, available from Synaptic package manager. It did not seem to have an easy way to fill in forms though.

Then finally I tried the other recommendation, Master PDF Editor at https://code-industry.net/free-pdf-editor/ - this worked like a charm! It's closed source code, so that's why I tried the open source options first, but... WOW! With Master PDF Editor I was able to insert text quickly and easily into my form. I have just finished filling in the form, saving it and printing it out. They offer a paid and free version. I used the free version and it did the forms just fine. The paid version has other features as well, but the free one works fine for forms.

Marking this as solved.

[trinidad]

Don't have Ubuntu up right now, but you might want to check synaptic for the pdftk package. CLI but works for filling out forms. Small learning curve.

Okay I checked for you. Yes its is available for Ubuntu. Below is the manual page for Ubuntu.

http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/trus...ftk.1.html

TC

[Artim]

In the repositories is a little gem called xournal. Super easy and technophobe-friendly.
My only issue with is is that saving an edited pdf creates a whole 'nother file with a weird extension.  I'm like, "Whatever, PRINT TO FILE then."  It makes a perfect new pdf, all fixed up. 

Read about Xournal here.

[kissbaby3]

OK, I read the article https://itsfoss.com/pdf-editors-linux/ . First I tried Okular, available from Synaptic package manager. It did not seem to have an easy way to fill in forms though.

Then finally I tried the other recommendation, Master PDF Editor at https://code-industry.net/free-pdf-editor/ - this worked like a charm! It's closed source code, so that's why I tried the open source options first, but... WOW! With Master PDF Editor I was able to insert text quickly and easily into my form. I have just finished filling in the form, saving it and printing it out. They offer a paid and free version. I used the free version and it did the forms just fine. The paid version has other features as well, but the free one works fine for forms.

Marking this as solved.

been looking for something like this "Master PDF Editor", going to test this out when i have time . thanks for the link

[kontzBern]

Am I got you clear, you couldn't open the file with Libre Office nor fill it out with it or any relatable software? For an occasion such a thing happens again, you might well try it to upload it to this web app to work around with w9 forms yet it works with every fillable form (but paid). Because of it's not a software tool, it's more likely to work