Since it is still the standard for document sharing, we are going to list some tools for working with PDF on Linux. Developed by Adobe in the early XNUMXs, it is still in force because it allows the presentation of documents composed of images, text formats and images to be presented in the same way regardless of the software, screen size or operating system used.
PDF documents are created by so-called PDF printers thatThey create documents that can be viewed on any device that has reader software installed.
When we talk about PDF printers we should not think about hardware but about software. When we have any printable document (Text or image) open with a program that offers the printing function, one of the available options is to print to PDF.
The most notable features of PDF are:
- Portability: Regardless of screen size or device type, only one reader is needed to view the document.
- Unalterability: Formatting, structure, typography, and images remain unchanged no matter how many times the document is shared.
- Safety: Document privacy can be protected with password and encryption.
- Multimedia: Documents can contain text, images, graphics, audio and video.
- Interactivity: It is possible to add annotations or complete forms by creating new documents without modifying the original.
Tools to work with PDF on Linux
All Linux distributions usually have a built-in PDF document reader and the option to print to PDF in browsers as well as image editors and word processors. Beyond that, there are tools with greater capabilities in the repositories.
PDF editors
LibreOffice Draw
All components of the LibreOffice office suite can print to PDF, but the only one that has editing capabilities is LibreOffice Draw.
For my taste it is not one of the best. Documents with complicated structures do not import well and must be corrected manually. Its functionality is limited to adding and modifying existing text, making annotations and incorporating graphic elements.
LibreOffice It comes installed in almost all Linux distributions. A more current version can be installed from the Flatpak store with the command:
flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
It is uninstalled with:
flatpack uninstall –delete-data org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
Xournal ++
Although it is an application designed to take handwritten notes using the computer, and its ideal complement, although not necessary, is a graphics tablet. Xournal ++ It is ideal for adding text or annotations or filling out PDF forms that are not designed to be interactive.
Its strength is in the ability to make notations and highlights using different colored pencils and to add graphics such as arrows or emoticons, images and text.
Installs with:
flatpak install flathub com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp
flatpack uninstall --delete-data com.github.xournalpp.xournalpp
PDF Arranger
In this case we have a small application based on Python and the PykePDF library. PDF Arranger No. works with the content of the PDF document itself but with the pages. The program allows you to combine or split documents and cut, rotate and rearrange pages.
Installs with:
flatpak install flathub com.github.jeromerobert.pdfarranger
It is uninstalled with:
flatpack uninstall --delete-data com.github.jeromerobert.pdfarranger
PDF4QT
Es the most powerful of all the tools included in this list. Some of those features are:
- Take advantage of advanced hardware features for PDF rendering.
- Ability to encrypt PDF documents.
- Color profile management.
- Signature validation capability.
- Form fields and annotations can be added.
- Reading the text of the document.
- Adding images and text.
- PDF size compression.
- Application configuration via command line.
- Comparison between documents.
- Ability to delete sensitive information.
- Document signing.
Installs with:
flatpak install flathub io.github.JakubMelka.Pdf4qt
It is uninstalled with;
flatpack uninstall --delete-data io.github.JakubMelka.Pdf4qt
Todavía nos quedan más herramientas para trabajar con PDF que iremos comentando en próximos artículos. Si tienes alguna preferida, cuéntanos en el formulario de comentarios.