LibreOffice Writer empowers users to create fillable PDF forms from documents, eliminating the need for paper forms. This tutorial will walk through how to add interactive fields like text boxes, checkboxes, and dropdown menus using LibreOffice's Form Controls toolbar. Following these step-by-step instructions, anyone can start producing digital forms for surveys, applications, orders, and more to improve efficiency.
An Overview of LibreOffice Writer and Fillable PDFs
LibreOffice Writer is the word processing component of LibreOffice, a free and open-source office suite. It is a feature-rich alternative to Microsoft Word that allows you to create documents, reports, newsletters, brochures, and more.
One of the most useful features of LibreOffice Writer is the ability to export documents as fillable PDF forms. A fillable PDF form contains interactive fields allowing users to enter data digitally. This makes it easy to create forms for surveys, job applications, order forms, and other documents that need to collect information from users.
Here are some of the benefits of creating fillable PDFs:
Collect data digitally rather than on paper
Allow users to fill out forms quickly and easily
Gather information in a format that's easy to organize and analyze
Create forms that are professional, polished, and interactive
Distribute forms widely since PDF readers are ubiquitous
Overall, the ability to make fillable PDFs directly from LibreOffice Writer documents streamlines workflow and saves a lot of time and effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Create a Fillable PDF in LibreOffice Writer
Creating a fillable PDF in LibreOffice Writer is free and easy, thanks to the built-in Form Controls toolbar. Here's how to do it step-by-step:
Step 1: Launch LibreOffice Writer, a new document will be created.
Step 2: In the LibreOffice Writer's Toolbar, go to the View > Toolbar > Form Control.
Step 3: Form Controls box will be open. Now you can choose and add new field(s) to your document.
Add Text Label:
Choose the Label icon from the Form Control:
Click and hold the left mouse button to draw the label field:
Double-click on the Text label to open the Properties box and edit metadata:
Add Text Box:
Choose the Text Box icon from the Form Control toolbar:
Click and draw the Text box field:
Double-click on the Text Box to open the Properties box and edit metadata:
Add List Box:
Choose the List Box icon from the Form Control toolbar. To insert, click and draw the List box field:
To add new options, Double-click on the List box, scroll down, and manually type list names in the List entries field:
Add Option Buttons:
Click the Options button, place it in the document, and follow similar steps as above:
You can add multiple option buttons:
Add Checkbox:
Drag the Checkbox, place it in the document, and follow the steps above:
Export the document as a PDF form
Step 1: Navigate to File > Export As > Export as PDF….
Step 2: Make desired settings, then select Export.
Test the functionality by opening the PDF form in a viewer, filling in the blank fields, and saving. The complete data should be visible upon reopening the file.
And that's it! The PDF form created in LibreOffice Writer will work seamlessly across devices. Users can fill it out easily on desktop, mobile, and anywhere else.
Free Alternative to LibreOffice - WPS Office
LibreOffice is a powerful free office suite for Linux and Windows. But another great open-source alternative to consider is WPS Office. This is an office suite that offers a comprehensive solution for Windows PC, Mac, Android, and iPhone users.
One of Its standout features is WPS PDF, a free cloud-based PDF productivity solution. With WPS PDF, you can convert, edit, sign, and collaborate on PDF files across platforms.
In comparison to Microsoft Office, WPS Office presents several notable advantages:
Cost-Effective Accessibility: WPS Office, including the robust WPS PDF, is a cost-effective alternative, providing a compelling option for users seeking a comprehensive office suite without the financial commitment of Microsoft Office.
Advanced PDF Editing and Conversion: WPS PDF excels in PDF editing and conversion, allowing seamless transitions between formats like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and images. Its intricate content manipulation surpasses certain features within Microsoft Office's PDF capabilities.
Intuitive User Interface: Recognized for its user-friendly interface, WPS Office, with its powerful PDF tools, stands out for simplicity and efficiency. This contrasts with the perceived complexity of Microsoft Office, making WPS Office an attractive choice for those valuing straightforward and responsive office suite experiences.
The free version of WPS Office already includes WPS PDF as well as tons of templates, fonts, effects, and other assets. Premium upgrades with additional cloud storage space are available for very reasonable prices.
How to download the WPS Office?
Step 1: Go to the WPS Office download page at: https://www.wps.com/download/
Step 2: To download, click the Free Download button.
Step 3: To start the WPS installation process, open the downloaded file and click Install Now.
Step 4: WPS Office will be ready to use on your desktop as soon as the installation is finished.
FAQs:
Can any PDF be made fillable?
Not all PDFs are initially fillable, but you can convert many into fillable forms using tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, PDFLiner,... Each tool has its process, so you can choose the one that fits your needs and preferences.
How do I turn a Word document into a fillable form?
Turn a Word doc into a fillable form by enabling the Developer tab (File > Options > Customize Ribbon). Design your form, use Content Controls in Design Mode, and finalize by restricting editing (Developer tab > Restrict Editing). Choose Filling in forms, click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection, and add a password if needed. Your document is now a fillable form.
Summary
This guide demonstrated how to create interactive fillable PDF forms with LibreOffice Writer through an in-depth, step-by-step tutorial. Using the built-in tools, you can now produce digital forms for surveys, applications, and more to streamline data collection.
For creating professional documents and forms, consider the free alternative WPS Office, which is lightweight yet full-featured across devices. With these skills, you can improve workflow and productivity when collecting responses and information from users.
