faq
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the hogandoc desktop app.
Price and terms of use
Is it free?
Yes. The hogandoc desktop app is free to download and use.
Can I use it for work or commercial purposes?
Yes. Individuals and businesses alike can use it for work, and the forms and PDFs you create can be used commercially.
Who owns the documents I create?
You retain all rights to the documents and other data you create with hogandoc.
Can I redistribute or modify the app?
No. Under the license terms, you may not copy, redistribute, modify, or reverse engineer the app without the copyright holder's prior written consent. Point others to this site to download it.
Is it open source? Where can I read the license terms?
hogandoc is not open source. The license terms and the list of open source software included in the app are shown on the Licenses tab in the app's settings.
Installation and system requirements
Which operating systems are supported?
Builds are available for Windows (x86_64), macOS (Apple Silicon), and Linux (x86_64, AppImage). There is no build for Macs with Intel processors.
Is there an installer?
No. On Windows, extract the zip; on macOS, open the dmg and place the app; on Linux, make the AppImage executable and run it.
My OS shows a warning the first time I open the app.
The app is currently not code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper may show a warning. Make sure you downloaded it from this site, then allow it to run.
How do I update?
There is no automatic update. Download the latest version from this site and replace the old app. Settings are stored separately from the app, so they carry over.
How do I uninstall it?
Delete the app (the extracted folder, the application, or the AppImage). Settings and logs are stored in a "hogandoc" folder inside your OS's per-user settings folder; delete it too if you no longer need them.
Features
Does it work without an internet connection?
Yes. Editing, saving, and PDF export all work offline. The app only connects to a network when you use online features or co-editing.
What file format are documents saved in?
Documents are saved as .xhg files. Files in the .jhg and .xml formats used by earlier versions also open (.jhg is read-only and switches to .xhg when you save). Page and shape templates can be exported and imported as .xhgt files.
What kind of PDF can it export?
You can choose PDF 1.7, PDF 2.0, or PDF/A-2b (for long-term archiving). Fonts are embedded in the PDF.
Can I print?
The app has no direct printing. Export a PDF and print it from a PDF viewer.
Does it work with Office apps such as Excel?
You can copy and paste shapes both ways between Office apps such as Excel and hogandoc. Pasting shapes from LibreOffice and draw.io is also supported.
Can I add fill-in fields?
Yes. You can place text, choice, checkbox, radio button, number, decimal, date, time, and date-time fields. In input mode, only field values can be edited and the form layout stays unchanged.
Which fonts can I use?
The app uses the fonts installed on your computer. An emoji font is bundled with the app.
Which languages does the app support?
Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. The language follows your OS setting.
Data and online features
Where are my documents stored?
On your computer, in the location you choose when saving. Documents are never sent to a server unless you use online features.
Does the app send usage data?
No. The app does not send usage statistics or crash reports.
Do I need an account?
No account is needed to use the app. An account is only required for online features such as publishing and sharing documents, and registration is currently invite-only.
If your question isn't answered here, send it through the contact form. Contact