Create PDF with input fields - with this software it works

You can easily create a PDF document with input fields using freeware tools. You can send the PDF by email and the recipient can enter notes and comments in the free fields. You can find all the details in this practical tip.

1. Download and install PDF software

We used the following two programs for this guide:

You can download the "OpenOffice Writer" here.
The PDF program "Foxit Reader" can be found here.

2. Create PDF text fields with OpenOffice

First, you need to create the text boxes that you want to fill in later. The illustrated step-by-step instructions can be found below in our picture gallery.

Open "OpenOffice Writer" and click on the "View" tab, then on "Toolbars". Select "Form Controls" from the context menu.
Now the "Form controls" function box opens. Click here on "Text field".
Define the length and width of the text field with the cursor. Copy the field with the key combination [Ctrl] + [C]. Then click where you want the text box to be later and press [Ctrl] + [V].
Once you have adjusted the text fields, you can save the document. To do this, click on "File" and then on "Export as PDF ..."
Check "Create PDF Form" and then click "Export".

3. Fill out and save the PDF form

With the "Foxit Reader" the PDF form can now be filled in and saved. If you only want to print the file and not save your entries, you can also use the free Adobe Reader.

Open the PDF document with the "Foxit Reader".
If you click into one of the input fields with the cursor, you can fill it out. You then have to save the form or print it out.