Document Checklist where we want to only allow the editing of certain fields on the form

[greavette]

Hello Forum,

I’m looking for advice on how to accomplish a new process we are implementing. We are putting in place a checklist whereby the operator will fill out their name and date of when they completed the checklist and we’ll have a table of questions where the operator will put the date beside the question to confirm it was completed.

I’d like to get advice on what document format should I use with LibreOffice to accomplish my task? Can I use a PDF and protect most of the document so the questions cannot be changed but the fields where we need the operators name and the date fields are all editable. Or is this best done with a Word Type Document or Sheet document instead?

Can I protect parts of a document table and leave other parts opened?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide for me.

[Wanderer]

Hello,

check for pdf-forms first. In a usual pdf-reader you can’t exchange the text, and will only fill the prepared fields. Some hints [here](How to I convert a PDF document to a fillable form in LibreOffice

Be aware: In the pdf you are restricted. They are not shown in LibreOffice, so you don’t have the full range of the program available. As advantage the user can fill the form without having LibreOffice installed.

You have to check, how you get the filled data back in your system. This would be easier, if you skip pdf and LibreOffice and use a online-form (html/php) and put the results directly in a database. The database can be accessed by LibreOffice.

Attention: It is possible to change pdf, if you load it in special software (or even Draw). See signing below.

Another option to prevent changes may be to use the possibilities to save signed documents. Changes are possible, but will be detected because signature is changed. But I don’t think this works for forms without special precautions, wich may not be implemented.

J