INVOICE

[jackaya]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

I would like to use an existing pdf designed
invoice in word. If possible, how do I begin typing text within the file?

 

[Elliott Roper]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

I would like to use an existing pdf designed
invoice in word. If possible, how do I begin typing text within the file?

Word is pretty hopeless at that. For filling in existing pdf forms in
an ad hoc way, you need something that does layers, and lets you place
text on top of a locked layer precisely by eye.
I'd suggest OmniGraffle, Illustrator, or even Photoshop.

On the other hand, if it is your own original invoice, why don't you
lay it all out as you want in Excel? That way it does the sums as well
as look pretty. I have pushed megabucks of invoices through a single
Excel template over the years. It is trivial to place the pretty logos
and everything else you need to make the customer feel good as he parts
with his money. And you can slurp it out for inclusion in the Excel
workbook that does the accounts receivable and the bank recs, and the
tax returns, and the P&L and the cashflow analysis and whatever else
you need to run your business. It is amazing what you can do with
nothing but Excel.

 

[CyberTaz]

As usual Elliott has offered some particularly sound advice. What you'll
actually need to do is use the PDF as a background in one "layer" overlaid
by editable tables & fields saved as a template. In addition to what he
suggested re alternative software, you may be able to accomplish what you
want in Word 2008's Publishing Layout View - especially if you don't need
more than one page per invoice and your requirements are not complex. The
PDF can be inserted as a graphic on a Master page & you'd need to use Tables
& Text Boxes on a Content page... But still a pretty shaky foundation.

Have you looked at the ready-made invoice templates available in File>
Project Gallery - Coordinated Forms? If you "must" use Word you may find
something there that will save you some time/trouble. They can also be
modified to create customized versions if you're trying to emulate the
design of the PDF. More templates are available from the Mactopia site as
well as the main MS Office site.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Word is pretty hopeless at that. For filling in existing pdf forms in
an ad hoc way, you need something that does layers, and lets you place
text on top of a locked layer precisely by eye.
I'd suggest OmniGraffle, Illustrator, or even Photoshop.

Addendum:

Formulate is a handy utility designed to do nothing more than let you
type on top of a PDF. Has saved me loads upon loads of time, hassle, and
frustration. Simple but wonderful.
http://adlr.info/?FormulateOld