Can I create a PDF form?

[Ziggy33@adobeforums.com]

I've been requested by a client to generate an editable PDF form, which they can send to applicants to filll in and then send back. I have several questions regarding this:

1) What application would I need to create the form, I currently use InDesign for printed forms.
2) Does Acrobat Reader have the faciliy to save the modified PDF?
3) would I or the applicants need any additional software to enable this system to work?

Hope someone can help!

[graffiti]

1) What application would I need to create the form, I currently use InDesign
for printed forms.




You can use InDesign to do the form layout. To add form fields, you would need Acrobat Pro.

2) Does Acrobat Reader have the faciliy to save the modified PDF?




Not unless the form has been specially enabled using a software costing in the tens of thousands of dollars (no joke).

3) would I or the applicants need any additional software to enable this
system to work?




Yes. Your clients would need Acrobat standard at least. There ARE cheaper third party softwares available that will allow them to save the document but I can't vouch for any of them myself.

[Ziggy33@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for the repsonse, I've since done some experimenting and have worked out how to add form fields using Acrobat Pro. But as you pointed out if the end user can not save them using Acrobat Reader the whole excerise is a waste of time, surely it would be beneficial for Adobe to add a save feature to Reader. It seems strange that you need an additional bit of software to enable the save function.

[graffiti]

surely it would be beneficial for Adobe to add a save feature to Reader.




They're making millions off of LiveCycle (or people buying Acrobat) so they have no reason to add that feature to Reader. It'd be nice but, ain't gonna happen.

[Claudio_González@adobeforums.com]

It seems strange that you need an additional bit of software to enable
the save function.




It doesn't seem strange for a software manufacturer to try to force you to use their paid products instead of their free one.

If all yopu are interested in is that your clients can save a copy of their filled form, they can always print it.

[de_Siem@adobeforums.com]

or they can always submit the form data to a webside script.

Most forms that take weeks to complete and need saving will be government forms, or perhaps financial forms from (big) banks.
guess who Adobe aims at with the Live Cycle for reader extensions?

[Scott_Melendez@adobeforums.com]

You can always use Acrobat Pro for Windows to create native PDF forms. It has a component called Adobe Designer just for that purpose. (I have no clue why it isn't on the Mac as well.)

Much as I dislike using Windows, I find it easier to use it to create forms.

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

I believe I read that Adobe bought (or licensed) the product from another company, and that company only developed a Windows version.

[MarkATS@adobeforums.com]

You can always use Acrobat Pro for Windows to create native PDF forms.
It has a component called Adobe Designer just for that purpose. (I have
no clue why it isn't on the Mac as well.)




You can do forms in Acrobat Pro on the Mac. No need for Designer.

[Wes_Plate@adobeforums.com]

You can do forms in Acrobat Pro on the Mac. No need for Designer.




How? I just upgraded to Acrobat 7.0 Professional from Acrobat 5.0 and I can't figure out how to add fields to a form (typed in Word and printed to PDF) in the new version. The online help seems to indicate you need Designer on Windows.

[sws@adobeforums.com]

If you go to Tools > Advanced Editing > you'll notice that the middle section of the drop down menu is for Forms. You can use these tools add the necessary fields, buttons, etc. You can then go under the Advanced menu, Advanced > Forms > and from here you'll find other tools for form creation and form handling.

[Wes_Plate@adobeforums.com]

Thank you for the helpful reply.