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Free PDF reader for Linux for filling gov't forms?

Started by Jason, August 12, 2021, 07:26:09 PM

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Jason

I have a government form I'd like to fill out before I have to visit Service Ontario. The form not only doesn't let me enter text in it but I can't even view the form in the default PDF reader I have or Foxit. It suggests I need the Adobe Reader which has only an old version for Linux. I could do it in Wine maybe but I'd really like to do it in Linux. Or at least in WINE. My computer doesn't have Windows installed on it.

So does anyone know of a PDF editor that lets you enter text into government forms? I've attached the form so you can see what I mean when you try to open it with your default PDF reader or Foxit.

If there isn't one that's free, does anyone know how well Acrobat runs in WINE?
* Zorin OS 17.1 Core and Windows 11 Pro on a Dell Precision 3630 Tower with an
i5-8600 3.1 GHz 6-core processor, dual 22" displays, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB Nvme and a Geforce 1060 6 GB card
* Motorola Edge (2022) phone with Android 13

ssfc72

Mint 20.3 on a Dell 14" Inspiron notebook, HP Pavilion X360, 11" k120ca notebook (Linux Lubuntu), Dell 13" XPS notebook computer (MXLinux)
Cellphone Samsung A50, Koodo pre paid service

Jason

Quote from: ssfc72 on August 12, 2021, 08:57:47 PM
I don't see any attachment, Jason.

Oops! I have to remember to attach it first; then write about it. :D It's there, now.
* Zorin OS 17.1 Core and Windows 11 Pro on a Dell Precision 3630 Tower with an
i5-8600 3.1 GHz 6-core processor, dual 22" displays, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB Nvme and a Geforce 1060 6 GB card
* Motorola Edge (2022) phone with Android 13

ssfc72

Master PDF is the program that you need to download, to open that pdf document, Jason. It worked for me, on your attached pdf document.
Go to this Plug Forum post for the Link that I included.  This is a Link to an older version, which is free.

https://plugintolinux.ca/forum/index.php/topic,257.msg9342.html#msg9342
Mint 20.3 on a Dell 14" Inspiron notebook, HP Pavilion X360, 11" k120ca notebook (Linux Lubuntu), Dell 13" XPS notebook computer (MXLinux)
Cellphone Samsung A50, Koodo pre paid service

Jason

* Zorin OS 17.1 Core and Windows 11 Pro on a Dell Precision 3630 Tower with an
i5-8600 3.1 GHz 6-core processor, dual 22" displays, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB Nvme and a Geforce 1060 6 GB card
* Motorola Edge (2022) phone with Android 13

Jason

#5
I wondered if it was possible for version 5, the most recent of which is 5.7.90, of Master PDF Editor to also allow forms to be filled in. I tried it, and it works! It's a lot more limited if you're actually looking for a real PDF Editor (i.e. create/edit PDFs) but it's enough. It can be downloaded here. There is also a chart on the same page showing the differences between the non-registered and the commercial version.

It's usually just those pesky government forms that seem to be picky about how you view and fill them out. So this is exactly what I needed. Obligatory screencap included below. Click on it to view full-size.
* Zorin OS 17.1 Core and Windows 11 Pro on a Dell Precision 3630 Tower with an
i5-8600 3.1 GHz 6-core processor, dual 22" displays, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB Nvme and a Geforce 1060 6 GB card
* Motorola Edge (2022) phone with Android 13