4 Best Tools to Create PDF Forms on Linux

Introduction : In this article, you will find the best applications for creating PDF files (also known as interactive tables) on Linux.

If you need powerful tools to create and edit PDF files on Linux, you have many applications to choose from. These applications are able to perform basic editing operations such as merging pages, cropping pages, adding comments, and sometimes even providing advanced features.

However, not all PDF editors can create PDF forms—that is, editable PDF files with interactive fields that can be filled in by other users. Such documents are useful in situations like you need to create a questionnaire, an admission form, or a sales contract, etc.

The following list includes solutions that can run on various Linux distributions and allows you to generate PDF forms on Linux for free.

1. ONLYOFFICE Docs

ONLYOFFICE Docs is a fully-featured online office suite that processes text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, fillable forms and PDF files. The suite is fully open source, and its local implementation combines advanced security features such as JWT, making it a reliable choice for technology enthusiasts and users who care about data privacy.

ONLYOFFICE Docs can be easily integrated into various document management platforms and services through official connectors, such as Nextcloud, Nuxeo, ownCloud, SharePoint, Alfresco, Confluence, Chamilo, etc. Additionally, the suite offers desktop applications for Linux, Windows, and macOS.

One of the great advantages of ONLYOFFICE Docs is that it allows you to create fillable PDF forms using its PDF editor, which can also edit text in a file, insert labels, leave text comments, add objects (such as pictures, shapes, hyperlinks, text boxes, and equations), and set up their configuration.

In terms of table creation, the solution supports various field types such as text fields, images, radio buttons, drop-down lists, check boxes, complex fields, email addresses, etc., and provides different configuration parameters.

For example, when working with text fields, you can specify symbols that others can enter and select the format you want - none, numbers, letters, arbitrary masks, and regular expressions. You can also assign tags to inserted fields and save the created table as a PDF file with interactive fields for free.

Another feature that may be useful to users is that roles can be assigned when adding fields. Each character has its own unique color, making it easier to fill out the form because you always know which fields to fill out according to your character.

Importantly, ONLYOFFICE Docs allows you to co-authorize fillable forms in real time. In this case, you can share the form template with other users and use a set of collaboration features to edit together—version history, two collaborative editing modes, tracking changes, comments, user mentions, chats, and more. This significantly improves the form creation process in the team.

2. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a comprehensive open source office suite with native file formats in Open Document Format ( ODF ), a standard format widely used by governments and organizations around the world. In addition to ODF, LibreOffice can seamlessly open and save documents in other popular formats, including formats used by various versions of the Microsoft Office suite.

LibreOffice is 100% free and can be used and distributed for free for everyone. Many of the features offered as paid plugins in other office suites, such as creating fillable forms, are free. There is no additional cost, and everyone can use, share, modify and install LibreOffice on Linux without limit.

LibreOffice includes multiple applications for creating and editing different types of files. To create a fillable PDF form, use the Word Processing component Writer in the LibreOffice package. It allows you to add text input fields, drop-down lists, radio buttons, check boxes, and export the document as a PDF table.

3. Apache OpenOffice

Apache OpenOffice is an open source project that gave birth to LibreOffice , which, while not as powerful as its successor, is still used by many users for word processing and processing spreadsheets, presentations, databases, formulas, drawings, and more. It is available in multiple languages ​​and is suitable for all popular operating systems, you can install OpenOffice on Linux.

OpenOffice's native format is ODF , which can handle files created by other common office packages. The kit is free to download and use for any purpose. One of the main reasons OpenOffice still exists is that it is easy to learn and provides all the basic editing features for regular use.

In terms of fillable PDF forms, you can create them in OpenOffice Writer . You can use the form control function to insert and edit input fields.

Supported field types include text fields, radio buttons, list boxes, combo boxes, and check boxes. They are usually enough to make most forms. Of course, you can set field properties and save your file as an editable PDF form.

4. Scribus

Scribus is a page layout application that you can download from the official website and use for free. This software tool allows you to create different documents from brochures to fillable PDF files. Whether you choose their prefabricated templates for your project or want to use its design features from scratch, Scribus is perfect for your needs.

This is an open source program that is compatible with Linux and other types of Unix-based systems, including Windows and macOS. Scribus provides an easy-to-use interface with a full suite of professional publishing features and tools such as all popular graphics formats, CMYK and spot colors support, as well as various options for creating and editing PDF files.

One of the great advantages of Scribus is its ability to generate PDF tables with embedded JavaScript scripts. Usually, users can fill out PDF forms on their computer and print them locally.

Although there are some issues when creating PDF forms in Scribus, it is a fully-featured tool. The program supports various fields such as buttons, text fields, check boxes, combo boxes, and drop-down lists, and its properties can be easily adjusted with several clicks.

in conclusion

For Linux users, the lack of dedicated software like Adobe Acrobat DC to create and edit fillable PDF forms is not a problem.

They can easily make and edit PDFs with interactive fields using office software such as ONLYOFFICE Docs , LibreOffice , and OpenOffice , as well as page layout programs like Scribus .

These are all great tools for this task and you can decide which app will be the ideal choice for your needs.

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