How to Convert HTML Checkboxes to Interactive PDFs

It is annoying when you save an HTML form as a PDF and find that the checkboxes and other form elements stop working. But you shouldn't worry that you did anything wrong.

HTML and PDF are two very different formats and converting from one to the other means losing some formatting. Links are easy to recognize and are nearly always kept as they are. But headings, form elements, and other styling are often ignored. So, the checkboxes will still appear in your PDF, but you won't be able to click them.

This is a big problem if you’re working on forms, surveys, or any document that requires user input. But there’s a simple way to fix this, restoring checkbox functionality using Smallpdf’s PDF Converter and LibreOffice.

Step 1: Save Your Web Form as a PDF

The first step is to save your HTML form as a PDF directly from your browser, using the built-in “Save to PDF” feature.

Open the form in your browser, press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac), and select “Save as PDF” as the destination. This creates a PDF version of your form that looks like the web page. However, at this stage, the checkboxes won’t be interactive—they’ll just be static images. That’s where the next step comes in.

Step 2: Convert the PDF to an Editable DOCX

Since the checkboxes aren’t functional in the PDF you just saved, the next step is to convert the PDF into an editable DOCX file. Using Smallpdf’s PDF Converter, upload the PDF and select the option to convert it to Word.

The checkboxes will still be non-interactive symbols or empty boxes. That’s fine—this is just an intermediate step before adding real checkboxes.

Step 3: Edit the Document to Restore Checkbox Functionality

LibreOffice is the best tool for turning static checkboxes into interactive ones. If you don’t already have it, download and install LibreOffice—it’s free and works across different operating systems.

1. Open your DOCX file in LibreOffice.
2. Enable the “Form Controls” toolbar by going to View > Toolbars > Form Controls.
3. Select the “Checkbox” tool and click where each checkbox should be.
4. Adjust the size and position if needed.
5. Save the document as a PDF Form by going to File > Export As > Export as PDF
6. Make sure the “Create PDF Form” option is checked.
7. Open the new PDF in any PDF viewer and test the checkboxes—that’s it!

At this point, you now have a fully functional, interactive PDF where checkboxes can be selected, making your web form conversion truly seamless. You can follow the same steps to add other form elements too, if needed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Checkboxes

If something doesn’t look right in your final PDF, don’t panic—there’s usually an easy fix.

If checkboxes are missing or replaced by text, the problem likely started in the original HTML form. Once you have converted the saved PDF to Word, you should be able to edit all the text and other elements.

If checkboxes appear in the PDF but aren’t clickable, the issue is usually in the export settings. Make sure you’re selecting “Create PDF Form” when exporting from LibreOffice.

Testing and Refining Your Interactive PDF

Before you share or use your PDF, open it in different PDF readers to make sure everything works as expected. Some programs handle form elements differently, so testing across multiple viewers can help catch any issues.

If any checkboxes aren’t working properly, go back into LibreOffice and adjust them before exporting again. Once everything looks good, your interactive PDF is ready to go.

Common Questions About Converting HTML Checkboxes to PDF

How do I convert an HTML form with checkboxes to an interactive PDF?

Save the form as a PDF from your browser, then convert it to Word using Smallpdf’s PDF Converter. Open the Word file in LibreOffice, replace the checkboxes with interactive ones, and export it as a PDF Form.

Why do my checkboxes disappear when converting from HTML to PDF?

Saving a web page as a PDF flattens checkboxes into static images. To keep them functional, you need to convert the PDF to Word using Smallpdf’s PDF Converter first. Open the Word document in LibreOffice and replace the static checkboxes with functional ones before saving the final PDF.

Why are my checkboxes covered by text in the converted PDF?

This usually happens due to formatting issues in the original HTML file. Adjust the spacing, margins, or font sizes once you have converted your PDF to Word.

Now, instead of ending up with a lifeless form, you’ll have a fully functional, checkable PDF that works across different PDF viewers.