How to Create Fillable PDF Form for FREE, by Kevin Stratvert on YouTube. 19 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Download LibreOffice from the official site and install it with the default options. Open LibreOffice Writer once setup finishes.
Turn on the form controls by opening the Form menu and choosing Form Controls, or click the form tools button on the toolbar.
Show the grid and enable snap to grid so fields line up neatly as you drag them onto the page.
Click the Textbox tool and drag a box where the user should type. Set a label next to it so the field is clear.
Add a List box or Combo box for choices. Right-click the control, open Control Properties and type your options in the List entries box.
Place a Numerical field for numbers and a Date field for dates. Set the format and limits in Control Properties.
Add option buttons for a single choice and checkboxes for yes or no answers. Give each one a clear label.
Use a multi-line text box for longer answers like comments. Resize it so there is room to type.
Go to File, Export as PDF, tick the option to create a PDF form and save the file.
Open the saved PDF and click each field to check it accepts input, then test the tab order.
Tips and common mistakes
Give every control a unique name in Control Properties so the answers save correctly.
Keep labels outside the fields and align them with the grid for a clean look.
Test the exported PDF in a different viewer, since some readers handle form fields differently.
Save your Writer file as well as the PDF so you can edit the form later.
Questions
Do I need Adobe Acrobat to make a fillable PDF?
No. LibreOffice Writer can create form controls and export them as a fillable PDF for free.
Can people save what they type into the form?
Yes, if they use a PDF reader that supports forms. They can fill it in, save a copy and print it.
Why do my fields not line up?
Turn on the grid and snap to grid, then drag the controls again so they sit on the same lines.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
