open office create fillable pdf

A. Setting Up the Document:

To begin, you need to create an XML Form Document in OpenOffice Writer. This specific document type enables the use of form controls that can be converted into fillable fields in a PDF. This involves navigating to File > New > XML Form Document in the OpenOffice Writer interface.

Next, you'll need to access the "Form Controls" toolbar, which contains the tools necessary for inserting various form fields. To do this, go to View > Toolbars > Form Controls. This will display the toolbar at the top or bottom of your OpenOffice Writer window, giving you quick access to buttons for adding text boxes, checkboxes, and other form elements.

Finally, enable "Draft Mode" or "Design Mode" by clicking the "Design Mode On/Off" icon in the Form Controls toolbar. This puts your document in a mode where you can insert and configure form fields without accidentally entering text into them. Design mode is essential for properly setting up your fillable form.

B. Inserting Form Controls/Fields:

Text Box: For creating simple text input fields, select the "Text Box" icon from the Form Controls toolbar. Click and drag on your document to create the text box where you want users to enter text. You can later adjust the text box properties like font size and anchor position by double-clicking on the box. The anchor should be set to "As Character".

Check Box: Adding check box fields is straightforward. Select the "Check Box" icon and click on your document to insert a check box. Check boxes are ideal for multiple-choice questions or binary options. You can modify the properties of each checkbox to customize its appearance and behavior.

List Box (Drop-Down): To set up a list box or drop-down menu, click the "List Box" icon. Double-click the box and enter list entries in the 'List entries' section and press Shift+Enter after each entry. This is a handy alternative to radio buttons when you have numerous options. Make sure to name the Field appropriately.

Combo Box: The Combo Box combines the functionalities of a list box and a text box. Users can either select an option from a dropdown list or manually enter text. Click the "Combo Box" icon, and similarly to the list box, configure the options by double-clicking on the box and add the 'List entries'.

Numerical Field: To restrict the input to numerical values only, use the "Numerical Field". This is particularly useful for fields such as age, quantity, or any other numerical data. Click the "Numerical Field" icon, and you can further configure the properties to specify the range of acceptable values.

Option Box/Radio Button: Option boxes, or radio buttons, allow users to select only one option from a group. You need to create several option boxes and ensure they are grouped correctly to function as a set of radio buttons. Grouping ensures that only one option can be selected at a time.

Date Field: Incorporating date input fields can be useful for applications or forms where date collection is vital. Click the "Date Field" icon, then configure the date format (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY) within the field properties to ensure consistent date input. This helps maintain uniformity and simplifies data processing.

Multi-line Text: For creating a text box where multiple lines of text can be written, use the regular "Text Box", and adjust the properties to allow multiple lines. This is useful for collecting addresses, descriptions, or other longer text entries. Be sure to adjust the field's height and width to accommodate the expected text volume.

C. Configuring Field Properties:

Accessing field properties is essential for customizing the behavior and appearance of each form element. Simply double-click on any form field to open its properties dialog. This dialog allows you to modify various attributes, such as the field's name, font size, and other formatting options.

Field height is particularly important, especially for text boxes. To ensure text is fully visible, a minimum height of 7mm is recommended for Arial 11pt font. Adjust the height accordingly based on the font and size you're using to prevent text from being cut off within the field.

Setting the anchor to "As Character" ensures that the form field behaves predictably within the document flow. This setting prevents the field from shifting unexpectedly when text is added or removed. This is crucial for maintaining the layout of your form.

Naming each field uniquely is critical for data processing and extraction. Unique field names allow you to easily identify and retrieve the data entered by users. Use descriptive and consistent naming conventions to streamline data management. Use names that are easily understandable and make the most sense.

D. Setting the Tab Order:

The tab order determines the sequence in which users navigate through the form fields using the Tab key. Setting the correct tab order enhances the user experience by guiding users logically through the form. This feature improves efficiency and reduces errors.

To access the Tab Order dialog, navigate to Form > Tab Order. This opens a dialog box that displays a list of all the form fields in your document. You can manually adjust the order by dragging and dropping the fields in the list.

Using "Automatic Sort" can simplify the process. Clicking the "Automatic Sort" button automatically orders the fields based on their position in the document. While this usually provides a good starting point, manual adjustments may still be necessary to achieve the desired tab order.

E. Exporting to PDF:

To export your form to PDF, go to File > Export as PDF.... This opens the PDF Options window, where you can configure various settings for the PDF export. Ensure you are paying attention to each of these settings so that you can export properly.

In the PDF Options window, uncheck the "PDF/A-1a" option, as this setting is designed for long-term archiving and may interfere with form functionality. Then, tick the “Create PDF form” option to ensure that the form fields are correctly embedded in the PDF. This step is crucial for creating a fillable PDF form.

Set the "Submit format" to FDF (Forms Data Format) for broader compatibility. While other options are available, FDF is generally the most reliable for preserving form data. Make sure to select the appropriate format based on your specific requirements and target audience.

A. Adobe Acrobat:

Adobe Acrobat is a powerful PDF editor with robust form creation capabilities. It offers features like automatic form field recognition through the "Form Wizard," which can significantly speed up the form creation process. This functionality can save you a lot of time, especially when working with complex forms.

However, Adobe Acrobat comes with limitations, particularly its cost. It is a subscription-based service, which can be a barrier for some users, especially those on a budget. Its complex interface may also be overwhelming for new users. It does, however, make acrobat create fillable pdf forms much easier.

B. BreezePDF: Streamlined PDF Form Creation

BreezePDF offers a streamlined approach to PDF form creation with a user-friendly interface. It focuses on simplicity and efficiency, allowing you to create fillable PDFs quickly without needing extensive technical knowledge. This makes it accessible to users of all skill levels.

BreezePDF boasts features like intuitive form field placement, the ability to type directly on PDFs, easy signature insertion, and image integration. Its 100% privacy guarantee is a major benefit, ensuring your documents never leave your device. With BreezePDF, all the magic happens in your browser, offering unparalleled security and control.

For teams, BreezePDF offers a secure and private platform for collaborating on PDF forms. Since your documents never leave your device, you can be sure that sensitive information stays within your organization. This is especially important for businesses that handle confidential data.