How to Create Fillable PDF Forms on Linux with ONLYOFFICE

PDF (Portable Document Format) was invented many years ago by Adobe. It is currently the most pop format for sharing information due to its ease of use, security, reliability, and compatibility with all devices we use on a daily footing.

This format ensures that a file does not alter its original structure under no circumstances when we open information technology on, for example, computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. Moreover, PDF makes it possible to add fields that other users can fill out with the required data.

[ You might also like: 8 Best PDF Document Viewers for Linux Systems ]

Taking into consideration all the advantages mentioned to a higher place, we are going to give you some tips on how to create fillable forms in PDF format on Linux without using Adobe software. In this postal service, you lot will learn how to create a fillable PDF file with ONLYOFFICE.

Almost ONLYOFFICE Forms

Starting from version 7.0 of the open up-source ONLYOFFICE suite, users can create and edit fillable forms too known as OFORMs. This functionality is designed to arrive easier to work with electronic documents of various types.

Information technology allows you to create, edit and co-edit documents with fillable fields online or locally on your PC or laptop and send them to other users so that they can fill the fields out afterwards. Thus, you lot can save some fourth dimension while creating standard documents by optimizing the process of electronic document workflow.

[ Y'all might also like: 13 Most Used Microsoft Office Alternatives for Linux ]

OFORMs are based on the traditional content controls that you lot can notice in Microsoft Office and offering the flexibility of Adobe forms. However, ONLYOFFICE forms come up with more advanced field properties, which implies a higher degree of customization.

After this short introduction, permit's motility from theory to practice.

Step 1: Get ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors

The easiest way to offset creating and editing fillable forms on Linux is by installing ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors. This free role suite runs on nigh any Linux distro and can also be used for editing text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

If you have a Linux server, it might be a good idea to install ONLYOFFICE Docs, an online office suite that can be integrated with a number of file-sharing platforms and DMS services, like Nexcloud, ownCloud, Seafile, SharePoint, Alfresco, Confluence, Chamilo, etc.

Both ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors and ONLYOFFICE are based on the same engine and offer the same user interface, and so creating fillable PDF forms offline is no dissimilar from the online process.

Stride 2: Create a Form Template in ONLYOFFICE

After you launch ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, y'all need to create a form template. Yous tin do it from scratch by clicking Course template. In this case, a new .docxf file will open in the text editor. This format is used in ONLYOFFICE to create fillable form templates.

Create Form Template in ONLYOFFICE — Create Grade Template in ONLYOFFICE

Another available pick is to choose an existing .docx document. Click Open local file and select the required file on the hard disk drive of your computer or laptop. The file volition be automatically converted to .docxf.

Additionally, y'all can download a class template from the ONLYOFFICE library. All templates are available for gratis, then you can choose the ane yous need.

Once y'all create a grade template, you are ready to keep with editing.

Step 3: Add the Form Fields and Adjust Properties

Enter the required text and format information technology the manner you like. When you cease the editing procedure, information technology'south time to add together some fields that other users will be able to fill out later. You tin access various field types on the Forms tab on the top toolbar.

At the moment, you tin can add:

Text field, a field that displays text or text lines;
Combo box, a field that combines the characteristics of a text field and a drop-down list;
Drop-downward list, a field that displays a list of available options;
Check box, a field that indicates if an option is selected;
Radio push, a field that makes information technology possible to select from a set of mutually sectional options;
Paradigm is a field that allows a user to insert an image.

Each field has some backdrop that you lot tin flexibly adjust depending on your needs. For all the filed types, you lot tin specify:

Placeholder, a box that holds the title of a field;
Tip, a note that helps users to know what they need to practise, e.g. insert an image, choose an option, enter text, etc.

Additionally, y'all can change the edge and background colors as well as mark fields every bit required. In-text fields, y'all can as well set a limit of characters or add together a comb of characters.

Brand certain that you lot have added all the required fields in your document and adapted their properties.

Add Form Fields and Properties — Add Form Fields and Backdrop

Footstep 4: Preview the Form

To see the final revision of your form, open the Class tab and click View Form. This option allows you lot to see the form the same way other users will see it.

In the Preview mode, you can't edit the file only can make full the fields out. This is what other users will be able to practice when you share the fillable PDF form with them.

If y'all notice mistakes or something that needs editing, click View Form again to become back to the editing mode.

Step four: Save the Grade as a PDF

The final pace is saving the .docxf file as a PDF. By default, you tin can salve your certificate every bit a .oform file. This format is designed for ready-to-use forms. Oform documents can be hands shared and filled out online.

When everything is ready, go to the File tab and click Relieve every bit. You will be offered to choose a format from the list. Select PDF and save the file on the hd of your PC or laptop.

Congratulations! You have just successfully created a fillable PDF form using ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors. Now yous tin share your form with other users. They can open up it with any PDF editor or even a spider web browser, fill out the required fields and save the completed form as a PDF file.

This way, you lot tin can create any document yous demand, e.chiliad. sales contracts, legal agreements, access forms, questionnaires, finance reports, then on. Download the latest version of ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors for your Linux distro from the official website and create fillable PDF forms with ease.

If You Appreciate What We Practise Hither On TecMint, You Should Consider:

TecMint is the fastest growing and nearly trusted customs site for whatever kind of Linux Articles, Guides and Books on the web. Millions of people visit TecMint! to search or browse the thousands of published manufactures bachelor FREELY to all.

If you like what you are reading, please consider buying us a coffee ( or 2 ) every bit a token of appreciation.

Support Us