Fill PDF Forms in the Web Browser

FormVu is an SDK for converting PDF Form files into standalone HTML with interactive form components.

FormVu is a PDF-to-HTML5 form converter that transforms AcroForm and XFA PDF files into fully interactive, browser-native HTML forms. It runs on-premise or via a cloud REST API, and supports data submission as JSON, XML, HTML or PDF — with no browser plugins required on the user's device.

How to convert PDF Forms to HTML5

FormVu supports AcroForm and XFA form types and offers various ways to run the software. Here are some (but not all) of the common methods you can use to try it out:

HTMLConversionOptions conversionOptions = new HTMLConversionOptions();
// Set conversion options here e.g. conversionOptions.setImageScale(1.2f);

FormViewerOptions viewerOptions = new FormViewerOptions();
// Set FormViewer options here e.g. viewerOptions.setEnableFDFJavaScript(true);

File input = new File("C:/MyDocument.pdf");
File output = new File("C:/MyOutputDirectory/");

PDFtoHTML5Converter converter = new PDFtoHTML5Converter(input, output, conversionOptions, viewerOptions);

try {
    converter.convert();
} catch (PdfException e) {
    e.printStackTrace();
}
java -Xmx512M -jar formvu.jar /inputDirectory/ /outputDirectory/

# Or add in custom settings to adjust the output to your preference
java -Dorg.jpedal.pdf2html.exampleSettingOne=<value> -Dorg.jpedal.pdf2html.exampleSettingTwo=<value> -Xmx512M -jar formvu.jar /inputDirectory/ /outputDirectory/
<?php
// PHP is one of the many languages we support for the web service. Check our support pages to see the full extent

require_once __DIR__ . "/PATH/TO/vendor/autoload.php";

use IDRsolutions\IDRCloudClient;

$endpoint = "https://cloud.idrsolutions.com/cloud/" . IDRCloudClient::INPUT_FORMVU;
$parameters = array(
    //'token' => 'Token', // Required only when connecting to the IDRsolutions trial and cloud subscription service
    'input' => IDRCloudClient::INPUT_UPLOAD,
    'file' => __DIR__ . 'path/to/file.pdf'
);

$results = IDRCloudClient::convert(array(
    'endpoint' => $endpoint,
    'parameters' => $parameters
));

IDRCloudClient::downloadOutput($results, __DIR__ . '/');

echo $results['downloadUrl'];

Enhanced Data submission

Need to submit a form as JSON? Customize how data is submitted from the submitted form with FormVu. With options to submit as a standard HTML form, JSON, XML, or even as a PDF.

Explore submission options

Process filled PDF forms

Separate a pre-filled form into its raw data with FormVu and the decoupleFormData option. Allowing you to take and process the form input as JSON data.

More about processing

Flexible signing, zero friction

For forms with a signature field, users can sign by typing their name, drawing their signature, or providing an image of their signature.

See how signing works

Display across browsers

Support Forms across all popular browsers with FormVu. Converted PDF forms retain their appearance and interaction. Data can be saved to the original file.

Find out more

Own your own data

With the option to self-host FormVu, you'll be able to convert & host files on your computers. FormVu is able to run without making any calls outside, keeping your customer data safe.

More details

Integrate into Web Apps

PDF forms can be integrated into a Web application workflow while retaining all their interaction and functionality.

Learn how to integrate

Example PDF Forms Converted into HTML

All of these examples have been converted with FormVu

AcroForm Example Conversions

XFA Example Conversions

FormVu helps you do more with AI

Structured JSON Output for AI Pipelines

FormVu extracts filled PDF form field values as structured JSON with a single API call, feeding data directly into AI and automation pipelines without manual parsing or re-entry.

No PDF Constraints for AI Platforms

AI-driven platforms can capture and process form input as plain HTML, removing the need for PDF rendering engines, browser plugins, or Adobe dependencies in your stack.

Flexible Data Submission Formats

FormVu submits form data as JSON, XML, HTML or PDF. Choose the format that matches your ingestion layer and deploy without extra transformation steps.

How we use AI for development

Who is FormVu for?

FormVu can be used by companies across a range of industries that includes publishing, education, finance, aerospace, recruitment, supply chain, government, healthcare, maritime and lots, lots more.

Healthcare

FormVu allows patient and doctors to fill in medical forms in the website so that data can be better organized. E-healthcare platforms can also use these data to give healthcare suggestions.

Read more

Logistics

FormVu can help logistics companies with displaying shipping forms, customs declarations, delivery acknowledgments to users on different web browsers while maintaining the forms look and feel.

Read more

Government

FormVu allows governments to quickly convert legacy forms to HTML forms without redesigning from scratch. HTML forms are easier to be integrated into newer workflows due to the better submission support possible with FormVu.

Read more

Education

Edu-publishing companies can create fillable forms (e.g., enrolment forms) using FormVu within their subscription-based portals.

Read more

Finance

Financial technology companies can use FormVu to help with loan applications, account openings, policy sign-ups, claims, etc.

Read more

...and lots more!

You can find out more about how FormVu can help you by reaching out to us.

Frequently asked questions

Who is FormVu for?

FormVu is aimed at developers and organisations that need to use PDF forms in web or mobile applications. It is widely used across healthcare, government, finance, logistics, and education — anywhere that existing PDF form workflows need to move to the browser without being rebuilt from scratch.

Does FormVu convert all PDF files?

FormVu only converts interactive form files. We recommend BuildVu if you are looking for a static PDF conversion.

Why convert PDF Forms to HTML?

Since web browsers have stopped supporting the Adobe Acrobat PDF plugin for security reasons, PDF forms can no longer function in web browsers. Converting them to HTML enables them to continue being used and makes it easy to integrate into new applications that work across mobile, tablet and desktop devices.

Can Forms be edited once converted?

Yes. FormVu converts PDF forms into fully interactive HTML5, so all form fields — text inputs, checkboxes, dropdowns, radio buttons, and signatures — remain editable in the browser. Users can fill, edit, and submit the form just as they would with the original PDF.

What PDF form types does FormVu support?

FormVu supports both AcroForm and XFA (XML Forms Architecture) PDF form types, covering the vast majority of PDF forms in use today.

Can FormVu submit form data as JSON?

Yes. FormVu supports submitting form data as JSON, XML, standard HTML, or PDF. JSON output is structured and ready to ingest directly into APIs, databases, or automation workflows — no extra parsing or transformation needed. This also makes it straightforward to pre-populate forms programmatically from existing data.

Can FormVu run on-premise without sending data externally?

Yes. FormVu can be self-hosted on your own servers with no external callbacks and no internet connection required. Data never leaves your network, making it suitable for GDPR-conscious and secure enterprise deployments.

Does FormVu require browser plugins or Adobe Reader?

No. FormVu converts PDF forms into standalone HTML5, which runs natively in any modern browser without plugins, Adobe Reader, or any additional software on the user's device.

Three Ways to Get Started

Convert from Web

Try FormVu from the web browser. Upload your document, wait for the conversion to finish and then download the output!
Try the Web Converter

Convert from Command Line

The most popular way to run FormVu! Download the software and convert files in bulk locally from the command line.
Download the CLI

Convert from Cloud API

FormVu provides a simple REST API to convert from any language including PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, Python and more.
Try the Cloud API