Ability to fill in PDF's on ipad

Yeah StevePug2, you are correct. The confusion over your initial reply was that you made it sound like the OP was trying to convert a pdf to a word doc. His goal was not to convert a pdf file to a different format - he was just trying to complete a pdf form.

I'm in the same boat. Someone who makes a pdf reader that allows for form completion, save, and print is going to make my $$$. I don't want to run the iphone version on the iPad as my form is rather large.

Hi Andrew,

So far there's nothing for the iPad that will convert a PDF file into an editable one. There is one app, iAnnotate, that will let you, in effect, draw on the PDF file. But that isn't the same as actually editing it. However, you could fill it in that way and then do the real editing when you get to the office on your regular computer. Converting a PDF file to, say, a Word document is a very complex procedure. Even Word itself can't do it. You need Adobe Acrobate Standard, at least, a $200 program if you're buying it new. So I trust you realize that there's not much hope you'll see a PDF converter on the iPad anytime soon! 

Steve

That is not what he is looking to do. He has a PDF that already has fields that can be filled in, viewable in OS x Preview, a web browser, or Adobe Acrobat Reader. However there is no way to access these editable PDFs currently on the iPad I have found.

I am looking for one as well.

Have you checked out the apps I mentioned in this thread?

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2405444&tstart=30

(they're not native to the iPad yet but they should run)

As I said, so far there is nothing available for the iPad that will let you edit PDF files. It doesn't matter what you can do with the PDF elsewhere, as of right now on the iPad, all you can do is read it or draw on it's image.

I don't want to run the iphone version on the iPad as my form is rather large.

Do the iPhone apps like Zosh let you fill in PDF forms? If so, that may be useful for some people.

What do you mean by "available" on the iPad? Do you not understand that iPhone apps run on the iPad? They are available, just download them. Just try one before you say the app won't work.

It's my understanding that all the apps that deal with PDF fill in are iPhone apps. Yet what they actually do is take your fill in data over the Internet, convert the PDF to include it and send you back that edited PDF for a fee. You must sign up and pay for the service. But it will, in effect, edit your PDF file, just not on your iPad but in the cloud.

In hopes to clarify this...

There are PDF files that are designed so that they have entry fields within them - like forms. These can be 'filled-in and saved' using PDF 'viewers' for most operating systems. CA-DMV has had some in the past as have some other Gov't and insurance agencies.

This does not change the basic PDF document - it is not "EDITING" nor "EXPORTING" these docs. It is a portion of the Adobe supported viewers.

I am a Realtor / Multimedia Designer, I have been scouring the web for this exact app too! Being able to fill out forms in the presence of a client would be huge! If anyone finds the solution to this mystery - please share ASAP as my ipad 3g arrives this friday!

One possible alternative would be to create a web page with your form's format and fill in the fields there, then email the results to yourself. The results won't be PDF-pretty but you'll have a means to capture the data 'in the field.'

I did this too, though using google docs, still there's a couple of hurdles though.
1. capturing the fields and exporting them to xml is not possible with google docs. This (XML) is the only way to import form data into adobe form fields
2. using another type of form to capture the data adds another level of redundancy to the process, as I will still have to copy that information to the pdf fields anyway.

Another Solution would be to Use Bento Database, Build the form in Bento and Sync it with Your
iPad using the Bento WiFi Bento Sync Function. You need Bento for the Mac and Bento for the iPad.

It is a little work to build the Data Base and Form but it gives you access to the forms and data on both your Mac and your iPad, Hope this helps

Actually, it is pretty simple to do. I built a database for my wife to catalog her Precious Moments collection. It took only around 30 minutes to build.

Glor

I'm having the same issue. I've tried Good Reader, Air Share as well as 4 other apps and none of them let me view a PDF form let alone edit one. Does anyone know of a viewer for forms so you can at least see what's already been filled in? Meaning a PDF form that has fields filled in and saved, all my forms come up blank.

It's amazing no one has built an app for this, I'd pay a lot for one if it worked.