How to Create PDF Forms in Java

ByDarrius Serrant

October 15, 2024

Updated June 22, 2025

If your business spends too much on annual PDF form creation and customization tools, IronPDF for Java provides a powerful solution. With it, you can create dynamic, interactive PDF forms that accept user input, enable selection, and even save changes. Whether you're creating text inputs, checkboxes, or more advanced form fields, this guide will show you how to get started.

How to Create PDF Forms in Java

Install the Java library for creating PDF forms
Create an HTML string that includes the form fields
Use the renderHtmlAsPdf method to convert the HTML string into a PDF
Export the PDF document
Utilize the various supported form field types

Create Forms

IronPDF lets you create PDF forms from HTML, meaning you can leverage the full power of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This flexibility allows you to embed form fields and other elements into PDFs easily. Let’s dive into how you can implement these features with Java.

Text Input and TextArea Forms

Using IronPDF, you can quickly create input and textarea elements within your PDF by rendering an HTML string. Since it supports HTML, you can apply CSS for styling and, depending on your environment, potentially use JavaScript for additional behavior.

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Define the HTML content with form fields
String htmlContent = """
<html>
    <body>
        <h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
        <form>
            First name: <br> <input type='text' name='firstname' value=''> <br>
            Last name: <br> <input type='text' name='lastname' value=''> <br>
            Address: <br> <textarea name='address' rows='4' cols='50'></textarea>
        </form>
    </body>
</html>
""";

// Generate a PDF document from the HTML content
PdfDocument pdfDoc = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Save the generated PDF to a file
pdfDoc.saveAs("textAreaAndInputForm.pdf");

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Define the HTML content with form fields
String htmlContent = """
<html>
    <body>
        <h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
        <form>
            First name: <br> <input type='text' name='firstname' value=''> <br>
            Last name: <br> <input type='text' name='lastname' value=''> <br>
            Address: <br> <textarea name='address' rows='4' cols='50'></textarea>
        </form>
    </body>
</html>
""";

// Generate a PDF document from the HTML content
PdfDocument pdfDoc = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Save the generated PDF to a file
pdfDoc.saveAs("textAreaAndInputForm.pdf");

JAVA

With the text form field HTML, use the renderHtmlAsPdf method of the PdfDocument class to convert it into a PDF document. The resulting PDF is saved to a file. This example demonstrates how to embed and customize HTML forms within a PDF document using IronPDF, allowing for rich, interactive forms directly in the PDF format.

Output PDF Document:

Checkbox and Combobox Forms

Checkbox and combobox forms can also be generated by rendering an HTML string, file, or web URL that includes these elements. To enable their creation, set the CreatePdfFormsFromHtml property to true.

Combobox forms allow users to select from a dropdown menu of options, providing a convenient way to capture input directly within the PDF document.

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Define the HTML content with form fields
String htmlContent = """
<html>
    <body>
        <h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
        <h2>Task Completed</h2>
        <label>
            <input type='checkbox' id='taskCompleted' name='taskCompleted'> Mark task as completed
        </label>
        <h2>Select Priority</h2>
        <label for='priority'>Choose priority level:</label>
        <select id='priority' name='priority'>
            <option value='high'>High</option>
            <option value='medium'>Medium</option>
            <option value='low'>Low</option>
        </select>
    </body>
</html>
""";

// Generate a PDF document from the HTML content
PdfDocument pdfDoc = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Save the generated PDF to a file
pdfDoc.saveAs("checkboxAndComboboxForm.pdf");

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Define the HTML content with form fields
String htmlContent = """
<html>
    <body>
        <h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
        <h2>Task Completed</h2>
        <label>
            <input type='checkbox' id='taskCompleted' name='taskCompleted'> Mark task as completed
        </label>
        <h2>Select Priority</h2>
        <label for='priority'>Choose priority level:</label>
        <select id='priority' name='priority'>
            <option value='high'>High</option>
            <option value='medium'>Medium</option>
            <option value='low'>Low</option>
        </select>
    </body>
</html>
""";

// Generate a PDF document from the HTML content
PdfDocument pdfDoc = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Save the generated PDF to a file
pdfDoc.saveAs("checkboxAndComboboxForm.pdf");

JAVA

Output PDF Document:

Radio Button Forms

In IronPDF, radio buttons within the same group are part of a single form object. You can access all form fields using the getForm method followed by the getFields method. If a radio button is selected, the form's Value property will reflect that choice; if none are selected, the value will be set to 'None'.

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Define the HTML content with radio button form fields
String htmlContent = """
<html>
    <body>
        <h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
        Choose your preferred travel type: <br>
        <input type='radio' name='traveltype' value='Bike'> Bike <br>
        <input type='radio' name='traveltype' value='Car'> Car <br>
        <input type='radio' name='traveltype' value='Airplane'> Airplane
    </body>
</html>
""";

// Generate a PDF document from the HTML content
PdfDocument pdfDoc = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Save the generated PDF to a file
pdfDoc.saveAs("radioButtonForm.pdf");

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

// Set the license key for IronPDF
License.setLicenseKey("IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01");

// Define the HTML content with radio button form fields
String htmlContent = """
<html>
    <body>
        <h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
        Choose your preferred travel type: <br>
        <input type='radio' name='traveltype' value='Bike'> Bike <br>
        <input type='radio' name='traveltype' value='Car'> Car <br>
        <input type='radio' name='traveltype' value='Airplane'> Airplane
    </body>
</html>
""";

// Generate a PDF document from the HTML content
PdfDocument pdfDoc = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Save the generated PDF to a file
pdfDoc.saveAs("radioButtonForm.pdf");

JAVA

Output PDF Document:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this Java library used for creating and manipulating PDFs?

IronPDF for Java is a library that allows developers to create, edit, and manipulate PDF documents directly within Java applications, including creating dynamic, interactive PDF forms.

How can I create PDF forms using this Java library?

To create PDF forms using IronPDF in Java, you need to install the IronPDF library, create an HTML string with form fields, use the renderHtmlAsPdf method to convert the HTML to a PDF, and export the PDF document.

Can this library handle different types of form fields?

Yes, IronPDF supports various form field types such as text inputs, textareas, checkboxes, comboboxes, and radio buttons. These elements can be embedded within PDF documents by rendering an HTML string.

How does this library use HTML to create PDF forms?

IronPDF allows you to create PDF forms from HTML, leveraging the full power of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This enables the embedding of form fields and other elements into PDFs easily.

What is the method used for converting HTML to PDF?

The renderHtmlAsPdf method is used to convert an HTML string into a PDF document. This method is a key feature of IronPDF, allowing dynamic HTML content to be transformed into PDF format.

How do you save a generated PDF using this library?

After generating a PDF document using IronPDF, you can save it to a file using the saveAs method, specifying the desired file name and location.

Can you use CSS with this library for styling PDF forms?

Yes, since IronPDF supports HTML, you can apply CSS for styling your PDF forms, allowing for a customized appearance and layout of form fields.

What is the purpose of the setLicenseKey method in this library?

The License.setLicenseKey method is used to set the license key for IronPDF, enabling the library's full functionality without any restrictions.

How do radio buttons work in this PDF library?

In IronPDF, radio buttons within the same group are part of a single form object. The selected option's value is reflected in the form's Value property, and you can access all form fields using the getForm and getFields methods.

Does this library allow for JavaScript integration in PDF forms?

Depending on your environment, IronPDF allows for the potential use of JavaScript within HTML for additional behavior in PDF forms, offering more interactivity and dynamic features.

Darrius Serrant

Chat with engineering team now

Full Stack Software Engineer (WebOps)

Darrius Serrant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Miami and works as a Full Stack WebOps Marketing Engineer at Iron Software. Drawn to coding from a young age, he saw computing as both mysterious and accessible, making it the perfect medium for creativity and problem-solving.

At Iron Software, Darrius enjoys creating new things and simplifying complex concepts to make them more understandable. As one of our resident developers, he has also volunteered to teach students, sharing his expertise with the next generation.

For Darrius, his work is fulfilling because it is valued and has a real impact.