Is anyone an expert on the PDF field-import functionality?

I am using Writer to open a PDF that contains loads of single-row fields for data entry.
The fields look like a row of boxes, but when numbers or text are entered they automatically fill the boxes according to how may digits or letters you enter. (it’s a Tax form).

I am not sure if the original fields are single objects, or a row of smaller linked-objects, but when LibreOffice opens the document each field is broken down into a row of individual object boxes (one for each number).
Trying to use this for data entry in LO is a nightmare, as each box is tiny and moves around, and this makes data entry very tedious. They also tend to get jumbled up on the page when LO opens the document.

I don’t need to edit the overall PDF as such, just use the form to enter the required data and save the whole thing – hopefully in time to get my refund ;-).

Ideally, there is some setting in Tools/Options/import-preferences that limits the level to which LO ‘renders’ the composite parts of a PDF when importing, depending on the users requirements.

Or, alternately, something that makes a distinction between a PDF opened in Draw and one opened in Writer, with Draw for the usual PDF editing and Writer limited to text edit-type functionality or the usage types specified in the Export/PDF Options/Security settings when the original PDF was saved.

I have had no success in finding such functionality so far.

Is there such a setting, or is this something that might be worth adding as a feature?

Writer is not suitable for editing PDF files.
PDF files can be edited in Draw, but this is also limited to minor corrections.

If I understand it correctly, you don’t want to edit the PDF but fill it out, right?

If you want to fill out a fillable PDF, just use a PDF program, such as Adobe Reader. Enter in the fields and save the PDF again, possibly under a different name.

If my assumption is not correct, edit your question and describe exactly what you want to achieve.

hi Ebot, yep you have it right.

my trouble is finding a reader that has that minimum text-edit functionality.

And your solution would be OK, except that as usual, I made the mistake of reading the EULA for AdobeReader DC when I went to download it… and in the process reminded myself why i gravitate towards non-proprietary software.

I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would download such egregious stuff willingly, except perhaps it is increasingly hard to find functional alternatives.

This whole IP thing is something that corporate software enablers (including some I know;-( ) have grabbed onto as their apple-pie, but it is going to come back and bite us all in the arse when we wake up in our blade-runner dystopia and find we cant flush a toilet without a subscription to Flush-Corp PTY.

@Numbawan I completely share your feelings (including the “going to come back and bite us” part). Try asking Google. I tried and immediately got this review.