PDF Creator

[Rainycats]

At times, I have wanted to create a PDF file, with the fillable editable blanks and cant find one that isn't Adobe and doesn't cost 100 +. I have lots of PDF editor type programs, lets me fill in the blanks or the PDF Expert which lets you edit the text, but one that lets you create a new PDF with fillable lines and spaces, I haven't found yet. I was searching for this one day and then I saw on a website that said Adobe has that all sowed up to themselves. Really? No one else has figured out how to do it? Or No one else is allowed to? It makes no sense, so I thought I would see if anyone here knows an answer.

 

[960design]

At times, I have wanted to create a PDF file, with the fillable editable blanks and cant find one that isn't Adobe and doesn't cost 100 +. I have lots of PDF editor type programs, lets me fill in the blanks or the PDF Expert which lets you edit the text, but one that lets you create a new PDF with fillable lines and spaces, I haven't found yet. I was searching for this one day and then I saw on a website that said Adobe has that all sowed up to themselves. Really? No one else has figured out how to do it? Or No one else is allowed to? It makes no sense, so I thought I would see if anyone here knows an answer.

No one really does that.
If you need forms with fillable text fields / areas that will be shared via email or other electronic means, it is better to just create a simple online form using any of the various web technologies. That way the data is more easily decimated. Sending a text link vs a several MB PDF file. The data is also more collectable, data loads into database or at worst the originator gets emailed the results. This could also provide the form filler with a receipt of processing and completion with very little extra effort.

Passing around PDFs for data entry is just barely a step above snail mailing paper forms.

 

[SaltySierra]

You might check out PDF Expert. It's not free, but it's only a fraction of the cost of Adobe. Love it. It is extremely capable and has more editing ability than anything else I've tried. They've got it in a special deal on some of the Mac app bundle sites. Fantastic display and really makes PDF's much more friendly and manageable.

 

[Trusteft]

I haven't had to use it for years so I don't know if they still do it, but Openoffice had a feature which you could have a document and export it as PDF.

 

[NoBoMac]

Openoffice had a feature which you could have a document and export it as PDF.

Ditto LibreOffice (View > Toolbars > Form Controls). Export as PDF when done.