Help with Acrobat documents

Hi, I know little to nothing about Adobe. What I'm trying to do is fill out some job applications that are pdf files.

How can I just type the information into the file, rather than print it off and handwrite it? I have Adobe Acrobat 5.0.

 

Ana, the basic reader simply allows you to view PDF files.

It primarily depends on how that form was created. If the author of the form created it allowing for such input, you might be able to do it w/ the basic reader. However, something tells me you might need to upgrade to the full professional version in order to do that.

 

I think it must be a way the author sets up the file, because I have been able to edit a couple of pdf files since I got the 5.0. It's just frustrating to have to hand write eight page job applications from major businesses. You'd think they'd get out of the archaic age and allow someone to e-mail a resume to them....

 

Yep. My guess is that they probably took a hard copy of their application and scanned it making the output file as a PDF. My other suggestion to use a typewriter rather than filling out the application by hand. Yes I know it's a bit "archaic" but if you are a fast typist, you could save yourself some time.

Most of our public libraries (here in Chicago) still have one or two for public use.

 

T-t-type...type-wri-ter.....hmmm...I remember one of those. I believe I had one back in the 80s!

Thanks for the help.

 

There are a number of applications available in the 30-50 pound region (probably $25-40) that will convert PDF to text that you can edit in a Word Processor. Readiris Pro 9.0 for PC is an example that was advertised in an e-mail that hit my inbox today - but there are many more. Many are shareware (so you can try before you buy). The one I've highlighted may be particularly apt as it also acts as OCR for scanned documents and therefore will be able to "read" your document even if the PDF is seeing it as an image rather than text.

On a more prosaic point, in my experience if a company is providing an application form in a way that makes it difficult to enter information electronically, it is because they want to see your handwritting. I'd suggest you double check the documentation and make sure they don't specify that the application is hand written. If this is specified you will be effectively invalidating your application by typing it!