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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Editing pdf files

dick - Mar 16, 2007 - 4:36 am

This is probably strictly not a mac support issue, but maybe someone can help.

I am frequently applying for jobs and the application packages commonly include an application cover sheet in pdf format.

Trouble is, they are often not interactive, so I can't fill them in electronically and email them to the potential employer.

I did find an application that enabled me to fill them in on-screen, save them and email them, but lost it in the only crash I have had since getting Tiger.

Currently I print out a copy of the form and scan it into Indesign or Photoshop then
draw frames to fill in the details over the relevant field which is clumsy. Typical of the way I use my Mac sometimes - just as I manage my life generally!

Any thoughts?

Warm regards

Dick Garner

ishan - Mar 16, 2007 - 8:35 am

There are a ton of shareware apps that will take a form in .pdf format, figure out what the field are and just let you type. Try versiontracker.com and macupdate.com. Alternatively, Acrobat 8 Pro will do this for you seamlessly and allow you to save the filled-out form, which not all the shareware programs allow.

None of the good shareware apps are cheap, so frankly, if you're going to need Acrobat for other things, and if you happen to qualify as a student, or have an older version of any Adobe product, it might make more sense just to buy Acrobat.

Hope that helps and please let us know what happens. Thanks.

- Mar 16, 2007 - 8:47 am

It is up to the creator of the PDF as to whether or not it will be an editable form. The Adobe Reader is free and if the form is editable you should be able to fill out the form. The latest version is 8. To create your own fancy PDF forms you can buy Adobe Acrobat. Mac OS X Preview can read PDF's but it doesn't support PDF forms (yet).

However, there is a free way to do this. It's not as advanced as the Acrobat route. You can edit forms using an application that is still beta and a bit flakey but it can fill out a PDF form that's not been designed to be filled out and it's ridiculously simple to do so. I am looking forward to many features enhancements on this application. It's small, simple and very quick.

Formulate
http://adlr.info/?Formulate

Author: Andrew de los Reyes
adlr@umich.edu

dick - Mar 17, 2007 - 1:25 am

Most grateful - I think Formulate was what I had used before (but couln't find again) and should be sufficient to fill in simple job application cover sheets.

Regards

Dick Garner