Typing over a PDF document possible?

Coldkilla

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2004
3,944
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I've got this grant application that I'm applying for and its PDF document has blank spaces for me to fill out. I thought it would appear more professional if I could somehow edit the original PDF document and fill out those fields by typing instead of writing.

Is this possible? Thanks!
 
 

david4

Member
Sep 7, 2007
54
0
0
NO
I think if you use the free version we all have, then you cannot do it.
Even FoxitReader, that is a free option will not let you do that, only alternative is to go for the paid/professional versions.
Not sure you have a way out without paying
David
 

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
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Originally posted by: david4
NO
I think if you use the free version we all have, then you cannot do it.
Even FoxitReader, that is a free option will not let you do that, only alternative is to go for the paid/professional versions.
Not sure you have a way out without paying
David

Sorry, that's incorrect. You can type into forms using Adobe Reader; the only limitation is you cannot save the document. Print out the form and send it in with your application, and you'll look pro.
 

zetsway

Senior member
Nov 8, 2007
721
0
76
Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
Originally posted by: david4
NO
I think if you use the free version we all have, then you cannot do it.
Even FoxitReader, that is a free option will not let you do that, only alternative is to go for the paid/professional versions.
Not sure you have a way out without paying
David

Sorry, that's incorrect. You can type into forms using Adobe Reader; the only limitation is you cannot save the document. Print out the form and send it in with your application, and you'll look pro.

There's one other way. The person who sent the document must enable (can't think of the name). It's looks just like post-its notes. That's the only other way. When I had to fill out my grants I fill it out then printed the doc then faxed it.
 

Pretty Cool

Senior member
Jan 20, 2000
872
0
0
Originally posted by: david4
NO
I think if you use the free version we all have, then you cannot do it.
Even FoxitReader, that is a free option will not let you do that, only alternative is to go for the paid/professional versions.
Not sure you have a way out without paying
David

With the free Foxit Reader, all you need is one of the many pdf creation utilities. You use the typewriter mode in Foxit to type in & line up typed characters as best as you can. Then to save the edited file, print it using the pdf utility. Not perfect, but certainly acceptable.

 

dderolph

Senior member
Mar 14, 2004
619
0
0
Originally posted by: Coldkilla
I've got this grant application that I'm applying for and its PDF document has blank spaces for me to fill out. I thought it would appear more professional if I could somehow edit the original PDF document and fill out those fields by typing instead of writing.

Is this possible? Thanks!

You haven't gotten good answers here. In some cases, blank spaces on PDF documents can be filled in but not saved; in other cases, blank spaces on PDF documents can be filled in AND saved; and then, in other cases, blank spaces cannot be filled in, printing of the form is the only option.

How is this determined? By the creator of the PDF document, not you, the user.

For an example of forms that can be filled in, while viewed in a PDF reader, visit the IRS website and open a tax form such as From 1040.

Note: you might complain about this to the folks creating those grant application forms. If they get enough complaints, they might change the forms so that blank spaces and be filled in, inside your PDF reader. I see no reason why they would not be willing to do this.
 

Pretty Cool

Senior member
Jan 20, 2000
872
0
0
If you use the typewriter function if Foxit, it does not matter what selection the author selected. The tradeoff using this method is that the result is not perfectly alligned. That is why it is called typewriter function.
 

dderolph

Senior member
Mar 14, 2004
619
0
0
OK, I gotcha. Now, I recall using that feature once. As you say, the result is not perfectly alligned.
 

Soundmanred

Lifer
Oct 26, 2006
10,780
6
81
I convert the .PDF to a .JPEG, fill it in, then convert back to a .PDF.
I do it for work all the time.
 

dderolph

Senior member
Mar 14, 2004
619
0
0
Originally posted by: Soundmanred
I convert the .PDF to a .JPEG, fill it in, then convert back to a .PDF.
I do it for work all the time.

So, you use a text box feature on some image editing software, enter your text, save the image, then convert back to PDF with some PDF conversion program. Is that it?