---
type: source
title: "URZ: PDF-Formulare (PDF Forms)"
tags: [pdf, xfa, documentation, support]
related: [pdf-form-standards, universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]
created: 2026-07-01
updated: 2026-07-01
authors: []
year: 2026
url: "https://rz.uni-greifswald.de/support/dokumentation/anleitungen/pdf-formulare"
venue: "Universitätsrechenzentrum (URZ)"
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_support_dokumentation_anleitungen_pdf_formulare.md"]
---

# URZ: PDF-Formulare (PDF Forms)

This source provides technical guidance on the display and creation of PDF forms within the context of the Universität Greifswald's IT environment. It specifically addresses the issues caused by non-standard PDF formats and provides recommendations for form creators to ensure cross-platform compatibility.

## Key Technical Points

### Display Issues and XFA
- Modern browsers can typically render standard PDF forms natively.
- Forms using **XFA (XML Forms Architecture)** often fail to render in browsers, typically displaying a "Please wait..." placeholder.
- XFA was declared obsolete by the **ISO 32000-2 (PDF 2.0)** standard in 2017.
- To view XFA-based forms, users are directed to use **Adobe Acrobat Reader** or another XFA-capable PDF reader.

### Recommendations for Form Creation
- Creators are advised to avoid the XFA standard to ensure forms are accessible on all devices and operating systems.
- The use of **HTML5-compatible forms** is recommended for interactive form scenarios.

### Support Responsibility
- The **Universitätsrechenzentrum (URZ)** provides support for central Campus-IT services.
- However, the URZ is generally **not** the publisher of decentralized PDF forms. Users experiencing display issues are instructed to contact the original publisher of the form directly.
