Brian Entz

Q: Simple question about making a form

In Pages how can I enter a line are for a form where I will need to go in and fill out the line without pushing the remainder of the line over. If I just use the underscore to create a solid line then when I fill out the form it moves the rest of the line over pushing the text along. How to do?

Posted on Sep 12, 2016 10:25 AM

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Q: Simple question about making a form

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  • by PeterBreis0807,

    PeterBreis0807 PeterBreis0807 Sep 12, 2016 1:11 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 8 (35,658 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 12, 2016 1:11 PM in response to Brian Entz

    Use an underlined tab.

     

    Peter

  • by Brian Entz,

    Brian Entz Brian Entz Sep 12, 2016 1:18 PM in response to PeterBreis0807
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 12, 2016 1:18 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

    Screen Shot 2016-09-12 at 1.13.37 PM.png

     

    I'm talking about a document like the above. I want to be able to either print it out to have it filled in by hand or be able to fill it out on the computer. So, for example, where it says __________________(Street address) in the top, I want that line there all the time and about that length. But when I type on the line I don't want it to push the balance of the line over and into the text that follows. I want that line to stay the same whether or not I'm typing anything into that line. How can I do that?

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Sep 12, 2016 2:42 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 7 (20,809 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 12, 2016 2:42 PM in response to Brian Entz

    Even if you enter several tabs, underline them, and then select the underline area and make it Placeholder text — the only underline that is preserved is beneath the text that you type in the Placeholder text. This may not be what you want.

    Screen Shot 2016-09-12 at 5.39.11 PM.jpg

    What you may really want is to build a true form layout using LibreOffice, or Word. Then you have real form fields, tabbing order, and underlined form fields that do not disappear with text that is shorter than the field. Once, done, you can export it as a PDF, for people to fill out, and save. This capability is far beyond the scope of Pages which has no form builder capability, as it is not a Word clone.

  • by Brian Entz,

    Brian Entz Brian Entz Sep 12, 2016 4:51 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 12, 2016 4:51 PM in response to Brian Entz

    I see. Seemed like a simple thing. I've been thinking I should probably get Word for Mac. You're sure Word can do that sort of thing?

  • by AllergyDoc,

    AllergyDoc AllergyDoc Sep 13, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iWork
    Sep 13, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Brian Entz

    I don't think Pages is up to this task, without a lot of hassle.

     

    You're better off searching the App Store for a forms app, one that will let you create forms for iOS devices and will let you print the forms for hand writing on. I did a quick peak in the App Store and saw several promising apps for decent prices (certainly far less than Office).

     

    Good luck.

  • by Brian Entz,

    Brian Entz Brian Entz Sep 13, 2016 2:17 PM in response to AllergyDoc
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 13, 2016 2:17 PM in response to AllergyDoc

    I see. You're sure Word can do this sort of thing?

  • by AllergyDoc,

    AllergyDoc AllergyDoc Sep 13, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iWork
    Sep 13, 2016 2:47 PM in response to Brian Entz

    No, I'm not. I made hundreds of forms with Word, but none that would be filled out on the computer.

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Sep 13, 2016 3:13 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 7 (20,809 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 13, 2016 3:13 PM in response to Brian Entz

    Forms are never a simple thing.

     

    Office 2016 for Mac (Word), or LibreOffice Writer have form designers that allow you to interactively build a form-based document. The LibreOffice Writer manual has a full chapter (15) devoted to forms.

     

    This can be further augmented after export to PDF, by using a PDF editor to further refine the individual form fields, and field logic. Examples are Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, or PDFpenPro (OS X App Store).

  • by PeterBreis0807,

    PeterBreis0807 PeterBreis0807 Sep 14, 2016 12:50 PM in response to Brian Entz
    Level 8 (35,658 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 14, 2016 12:50 PM in response to Brian Entz

    I always think it is a really, Really, REALLY bad assumption that users have a particular version of software to complete a document, unless it is freely available open source software and universally accessible file format.

     

    Acrobat Pro can make pdf files with fillable forms that the Free Acrobat Reader can edit.

     

    Peter