It doesn't seem to matter what distro or printer I have owned, I must have something configured wrong.

What I'd like to do is print some PDF files that has editable boxes where you can type whatever you wish.

However, when I print it, it's blank.
Also, doing "print to PDF" has the same result.

I have also tried to uninstall cups-pdf, and reinstall it, no luck.

What do I need to do to get this to work?


Distro: PCLinuxOS 07.2013 edition
Printer: HP F4400 Desktop

I just successfully printed a *.pdf with a form filled out (for testing purposes, I only filled in one field) using Okular on Debian Wheezy with CUPS v. 1.5.3. It printed properly with forms turned on and with them turned off.

Because it works, I can't hazard a guess as to why it's not working for you.

Try starting your PDF reader from the command line and printing the form. Perhaps some useful error messages will be sent to the terminal. If it does, post the messages back to this thread, being sure to surround it with "code" tags, which become available when you click the "Go Advanced" button at the bottom of the quick reply window.

Also, please provide some more information about what distro/version and what PDF reader/version you are using. The more precise information you can provide, the easier it will be for someone to help you.

Mine never worked, be it Mandrake/Mandriva, or possibly opensuse, PCLinux, the old HP 845c printer nor this HP 4400.

Is there some PDF files that are more or less able to do this?

Anyways.

This is using Okular 0.16.5; Distro is PCLinuxOS, version is the August 2013 edition.

I did a little research, found a printing command:

It printed, but blank still.

I tested with a w9 form from the United States IRS website. I would suggest grabbing it and seeing whether it works. If it does, the problem might be with the timesheet form, rather than with your system.

That would explain one thing. I really only used the PDF software for the time sheet. The W9 form worked great. The time sheet, no.

At least now I know it's the time sheet itself. Is there a fix for that, or not?

I suspect that the fix lies with whoever created the timesheet. I'd very nicely tell them (or my boss, depending on the reporting lines) that I've encountered an "issue" and ask them how I could best assist them in rectifying it.

I think I know why you say "very nicely", because I highly doubt they care at all. I may bring it up, but I am sure they won't know what to do. They will probably say "just write it out", which is fine. but I like it typed. Looks neater.

Anyways, thanks for your help! It at least helped me narrow it down. I never would have thought on using another PDF file because I thought I heard Linux can't print PDF's the same way.

Thanks again!

I say "very nicely" because I don't want them to take it out on you.

Also, I used to work support. It doesn't pay to be, er, unpleasant to the person you are asking to help you.

Don't worry, I'm a pretty patient decent gentleman. Few things get me going at all. I think of one place I am not happy with, I just gave up on them, rather than yell.

If I do, I'll certainly be kind. They know me some.

Good luck. I like to know how this turns out.

If I call them, it'd obviously be Monday. I am marking this "solved" being it's the time sheet itself that is causing this issue.
I can indeed print PDF.

Thanks again!

If I call them, I can let you know what they think or can do.

I called them, and was quite polite. They don't have a solution. That's alright. I may be able to use a pc here and make copies. May be the best

Sadly, I'm not surprised. They've got their "solution" and they are sticking to it.

If I were cynical, I'd say it's the PDF version of "Best viewed in Internet Explorer 6."

Thanks for reporting back.

It's hard to even begin to argue, not that I would, when you can just write it out with a pen.
There's two reasons I like it typed. One is, you can type out the employee ID, location, etc.. with a nice bold font; and save copies of it, and 2, have it look nice.

But yeah, when they say, "writing with a pen works", it is difficult to even attempt at the right words to say "I'd like this typed out instead."

I asked if they had a browser where maybe it'd work, but they just said, "I don't think it'd work, just write it."


I found out that I have someone at work that will allow me to use their computer to do this. He is not on it too often at all. So, maybe I'll still be able to type it out.